Every game of the Knoxville Smokies and Biloxi Shuckers series has been decided in the sixth inning at Covenant Health Park.
Instead of a six-run outburst, however, it was a go-ahead sacrifice fly by third baseman Jefferson Rojas that started the Smokies’ push to a 7-3 win Friday, July 10.
Hot-hitting catcher Owen Ayers connected on a two-RBI single in the eighth inning to provide insurance for the Smokies, who have won three of the first four games in the series against the Shuckers.
“I thought our at-bats were really good tonight,” manager Lance Rymel told Knox News. “I thought we grinded them out. We were trying to get our pitch. I thought we were able to stick to our game plan.”
Former University of Tennessee standout Blake Burke, who was 0-for-11 in the series entering Friday, recorded a double for the Shuckers to lead off the fourth inning. He finished 1-for-3 and walked once in the game.
Smokies starter Dawson Netz struck out five batters over five innings, giving up three earned runs and four hits.
Smokies player of the game, top moments: Friday, July 10
Player of the game: Catcher Owen Ayers recorded a 3-for-5 night in the three-hole, posting three RBIs for Knoxville. “It’s a tough lineup for other pitchers to face,” Ayers told Knox News. “It’s a lot of fun getting to be part of it.”
- Watch out: Smokies pitcher Dawson Netz was drilled by a comebacker from Jacob Hurtubise in the fifth inning, which helped Biloxi take the lead. Netz remained in the game after a mound visit.
- In a pickle: The Shuckers loaded the bases in the seventh inning, but pitcher Evan Taylor preserved Knoxville’s one-run lean by tagging out Matthew Wood in a pickle to end the frame. “Pitchers are athletes too, right?” Rymel said. “That’s not how we practice it with the pitcher tagging out the guy, but we got it done.”
- Made the play: Shuckers second baseman Dylan O’Rae dove to his left in the fifth inning for a grounder hit by Karson Simas, preventing the Smokies from taking the lead in a 3-3 game.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
Knoxville will face Biloxi two more times this week at Covenant Health Park. Here are the remaining promotions while the Shuckers are in town:
- 7 p.m. July 11: Mascot on the Shelf Giveaway (first 1,000 fans receive mascot on the shelf), Christmas in July (themed jerseys), Summer Fireworks Series
- 2 p.m. July 12: No promotions scheduled
Knoxville Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and continue to lead the Southern League North in the second half.
- Knoxville Smokies (11-5 second half, 49-36 overall)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (8-7 second half, 44-40 overall)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (6-9 second half, 43-42 overall)
- Birmingham Barons (6-10 second half, 32-52 overall)
Southern League South standings
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (9-7 second half, 45-40 overall)
- Biloxi Shuckers (9-7 second half, 44-37 overall)
- Columbus Clingstones (9-7 second half, 38-42 overall)
- Montgomery Biscuits (5-11 second half, 40-45 overall)
Records reflect the standings as of 10:15 p.m. July 10.Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: trevor.mcgee@knoxnews.com; X: @TrevorMcGee12
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies keep riding sixth-inning highs to take third win over Shuckers
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