Smokies Slug Their Way to Series Win
Published on May 27, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - The Smokies defeated the Blue Wahoos on Sunday 11-6 to take the series win on the road. Tennessee has now won two series in a row after beating Mississippi in the series before.
Michael Rucker received the start for the Smokies in the series finale and could not make it far in the game. Rucker, who got a win in his previous start, finished the game going three innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and striking out five.
Down 2-0 early, the Smokies came back in the top of the second. Ian Rice walked to start the inning and, with two outs, scored on an error by the Blue Wahoos third baseman.
After the Blue Wahoos pushed their lead to 4-1, the Smokies came back and tied the game up. With two outs in the inning, Jesse Hodges started the rally with a double. Baez knocked him in next with a double of his own and Vimael Machin doubled to score Baez and make it a 4-3 game. Yasiel Balaguert tied the game with a double of his own.
The Smokies took the lead for good in the top of the fifth. Trent Giambrone, Jason Vosler and Rice started the inning off with hits. The single by Rice scored Giambrone and gave the Smokies a 5-4 lead. Hodges knocked in his second run of the game as a groundout scored Vosler.
In the seventh, the Smokies team leader in home runs struck for his ninth of the season. With Giambrone on base, Vosler hit a two-run home run to give the Smokies an 8-4 lead. The Smokies added another run in the eighth as Giambrone hit a sacrifice fly that scored Charcer Burks.
In the top of the ninth, two more home runs pushed the lead to 11-6. Hodges hit his second home run of the year to left, his first home run came Saturday night, and Zack Short hit his seventh of the year to center.
Those runs were all the bullpen needed as they shut Pensacola down. Preston Morrison and James Norwood each pitched two scoreless innings. Tommy Nance gave up two runs in the eighth but Craig Brooks and Dakota Mekkes finished the game off.
The Smokies return home on Tuesday for their next game as they begin a series with the Mobile BayBears, starting at 7 p.m. Trevor Clifton is the projected starter for the Smokies as he looks to get back on the winning track. The BayBears will counter with Luis Pena as he looks for his third win of the season.
Southern League Stories from May 27, 2018
- Lopez, Bats Catapult Biscuits, 7-1 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Back-And-Forth Finale Breaks Birmingham's Way - Jackson Generals
- BayBears Fight Back Twice But Fall in Series Finale - Mobile BayBears
- Gatewood Homers Twice in Series Finale with BayBears - Biloxi Shuckers
- Barons Drop Generals in Series Finale, 7-5 - Birmingham Barons
- Marlette, Santiago Earn Weekly Honors - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Defeat Wahoos, 11-6, to Claim Series Victory - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Jumbo Shrimp Drop Finale to M-Braves 10-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- M-Braves Wash Away Jumbo Shrimp 10-2 in Series Finale - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Slug Their Way to Series Win - Knoxville Smokies
- RHP Wes Parsons Promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett - Mississippi Braves
- Jose Suarez Promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake - Mobile BayBears
- Graves Joins Shrimp on Rehab Assignment - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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