SMOKIES COMEBACK ATTEMPT FALLS SHORT
Jordan, Morel drive in two each in loss
SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies (6-9) trailed 7-0 after three innings Friday night, but cut the deficit to 7-6 by the fifth before eventually falling to the Biloxi Shuckers (7-9) 8-6 at Smokies Stadium. RHP Scott Effross came in with the Smokies down big in the third and worked 3.2 scoreless innings to allow Tennessee to get back into the game.
Brice Turang’s RBI triple in the first started the scoring, he would score on Alexander Palma’s single to put Biloxi up 2-0. In the second, Tristen Lutz’s RBI double extended the Shuckers lead. David Fry’s grand slam in the third put Biloxi up 7-0.
In the bottom of the third, Levi Jordan hit a two-run single to get the Smokies on the board. Erick Castillo’s RBI double in the fourth cut Biloxi’s lead to 7-3. Then in the fifth, Christopher Morel hit a two-run triple, and scored on Grayson Byrd’s bunt single to cut the deficit to 7-6. Turang’s RBI single in the eighth for Biloxi rounded out the scoring at 8-6.
LHP Luis Lugo (L, 0-3) took the loss, he allowed seven runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Jordan finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, he has a team best six multi-hit games. Effross struck out five over 3.2 scoreless innings, while RHP Cayne Ueckert struck out two in 1.2 perfect innings.
RHP Cam Sanders (0-0, 4.73) will start for the Smokies Saturday night at Smokies Stadium. Biloxi will counter with RHP Luis Contreras (0-1, 5.87). First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM. Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.
The Summer Fireworks Series presented by Coors Light and Pepsi begins following Saturday night’s game. Tickets are available for the remainder of the series and can be purchased online, over the phone, or by visiting our box office.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the eight-team Double-A South League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.
