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SL Knoxville Smokies

Smokies' Late Comeback Comes up Short in Series Opener

July 4, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn- The Tennessee Smokies had a 7-4 lead erased by the Birmingham Barons in a series opening loss on Independence Day. The Barons scored four runs in the fifth inning to win game one by a final of 9-8.

The Barons scored two runs in the first half inning to take the early lead, but the Smokies countered with a solo home run off the bat of Owen Caissie to make it 2-1. Barons second baseman Jose Rodriguez blasted a solo shot into left field to take a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the second inning, BJ Murray hit a solo home run to make it 3-2. The Barons scored the fourth run of the game on a wild pitch to double the lead, 4-2.

Tennessee had a huge inning in the third when Haydn McGeary hit into a fielder's choice to score a run, followed by a three run jack by BJ Murray, his second of the night to take a 6-4 lead. The Smokies led 7-4 after four innings when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a sacrifice fly to score another run.

Birmingham took the lead in the fifth inning scoring four runs on three hits to take an 8-7 lead. The Barons added insurance in the eighth on a wild pitch to make it 9-7. The Smokies made it interesting in the ninth inning, when McGeary grounded out to score a run, and move the game -tying run into scoring position. Barons reliever Haylen Green struckout BJ Murray to end the ballgame and win it 9-8. The last seven games between Birmingham and Tennessee have been decided by one run.

KODAK, Tenn- The Tennessee Smokies had a 7-4 lead erased by the Birmingham Barons in a series opening loss on Independence Day. The Barons scored four runs in the fifth inning to win game one by a final of 9-8.

The Barons scored two runs in the first half inning to take the early lead, but the Smokies countered with a solo home run off the bat of Owen Caissie to make it 2-1. Barons second baseman Jose Rodriguez blasted a solo shot into left field to take a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the second inning, BJ Murray hit a solo home run to make it 3-2. The Barons scored the fourth run of the game on a wild pitch to double the lead, 4-2.

Tennessee had a huge inning in the third when Haydn McGeary hit into a fielder's choice to score a run, followed by a three run jack by BJ Murray, his second of the night to take a 6-4 lead. The Smokies led 7-4 after four innings when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a sacrifice fly to score another run.

Birmingham took the lead in the fifth inning scoring four runs on three hits to take an 8-7 lead. The Barons added insurance in the eighth on a wild pitch to make it 9-7. The Smokies made it interesting in the ninth inning, when McGeary grounded out to score a run, and move the game -tying run into scoring position. Barons reliever Haylen Green struckout BJ Murray to end the ballgame and win it 9-8. The last seven games between Birmingham and Tennessee have been decided by one run. and Tennessee have been decided by one run.

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Southern League Stories from July 4, 2023


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