Smokies ride six-run sixth innings to victory on back-to-back nights
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For the second-straight night, a six-run sixth inning sparked a comeback.
The Knoxville Smokies rallied at Covenant Health Park for a 9-6 win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday, July 8 to take a 2-0 lead in the six-game series.
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Right-handed pitcher Brooks Caple, the No. 12 Chicago Cubs prospect, gave up three hits and two runs in his five-inning start. Four of his five strikeouts came against former University of Tennessee infielders Andrew Fischer and Blake Burke, who were held to a combined 0-for-7 night.
Ethan Hearn and Alex Madera combined for three of Knoxville's 11 hits, turning the lineup over to Alex Ramirez, Jefferson Rojas and one of baseball's hottest hitters, Owen Ayers. Combined with Andy Garriola batting cleanup, "that's death row right there," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News.
"And if they're able to turn it over," he said, "that's how our big innings happen."
Smokies player of the game, top moment: Wednesday, July 8
Player of the game: Carter Trice reached base in all four plate appearances, including a solo home run off the batter's eye in the seventh inning for the final run of the game.
"Once it all clicks at the same time, we really do have an explosive offense," Trice told Knox News. "Once everybody gets going, I feel like anybody on the mound - it doesn't matter who it is - we can kind of run through them."
Moment of the game: Designated hitter Ethan Hearn hit a go-ahead double down the right-field line to put the Smokies ahead in the sixth inning for the first time after trailing 5-0.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
With two wins to start the series, Knoxville will face the Biloxi four more times this week at Covenant Health Park. Here are the remaining promotions while the Shuckers are in town:
- 7 p.m. July 7: Taco Tuesday (all-you-can-eat taco buffet for $19.99 presale or $24.99 day of game)
- 7 p.m. July 8: All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday (buffet available for $29 in advance or $34 day of game)
- 7 p.m. July 9: Knox Vegas Pin Giveaway (first 500 fans receive pin), Thirsty Thursday (half-price draft beer), Knox Vegas (themed jerseys), College Night ($10 tickets for college students)
- 7 p.m. July 10: Summer Fireworks Series, Chick-fil-A Friday (two tickets and two coupons for $48), Feel-Good Friday
- 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 (10-4 second half, 48-35 overall)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (8-6 second half, 43-39 overall)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (5-9 second half, 42-40 overall)
- Birmingham Barons (5-9 second half, 31-52 overall)
Southern League South standings
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (8-6 second half, 44-39 overall)
- Biloxi Shuckers (8-6 second half, 43-36 overall)
- Columbus Clingstones (8-6 second half, 37-41 overall)
- Montgomery Biscuits (4-10 second half, 39-44 overall)
Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. July 8.Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies ride six-run sixth innings to victory on back-to-back nights