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Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Fight Through Two Delays, Open Series with 9-5 Win

July 4, 2022 - Southern League (SL)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Tennessee Smokies (40-36, 3-4) opened their series against the Birmingham Barons (35-41, 4-3) with a 9-5 win Monday night at Regions Field. The game featured two rain delays, a 17 minute stoppage in the first and a 62 minute stoppage in the fourth, but the Smokies weathered out the rain and got the win.

Brandon Leibrandt (W, 3-2) went three hitless innings in his return to Double-A, striking out five and allowing only a single walk. Leibrandt was chased from the game due to the fourth inning delay.

The Smokies got on the board early thanks to a Yonathan Perlaza RBI double that scored Luis Vasquez off of Birmingham starter Scott Blewett (L, 3-3). Tennessee added to its lead in the sixth, after Bryce Ball hit a sacrifice fly and Alexander Canario hit an RBI single to make it 3-0.

In the bottom of the sixth the Barons scored two runs to cut the lead to one before the Smokies put together a six-run eighth behind RBI hits from Harrison Wenson and Matt Mervis and an RBI walk for Perlaza. While Birmingham would score two more runs in the eighth and once more in the ninth, the Smokies nine-run effort was enough to hold off the Barons.

The Smokies and the Barons will play game two of their six game series on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET when the Smokies send RHP Riley Thompson (0-2, 9.37) to the mound against RHP Emilio Vargas (1-1, 5.22). Fans can catch the action on 99.1 The Sports Animal or by visiting https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.

The Smokies will host the Biloxi Shuckers in its next homestand July 12-17 at Smokies Stadium. Thursday, July 14 is Throwback and Dollar-Hot-Dog Night. Smokies Stadium will host Corona Hard Seltzer Night on July 15, and Saturday, July 16 will be Grateful Dead Night featuring a postgame concert by The Stolen Faces. For tickets, call the box office at (865) 286-2300 or visit smokiesbaseball.com.

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