SMOKIES EVEN UP SERIES WITH LOOKOUTS
Uelmen becomes first Smokies starter to earn win
SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies (13-25) defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts (22-17) 6-3 Friday night at Smokies Stadium. The Smokies have won back-to-back games for the first time since May 18-19 to even up the series.
RHP Erich Uelmen (W, 1-4) became the first Smokies starting pitcher to earn a victory this season. Uelmen allowed two runs on four hits and two walks. He also had two strikeouts in five innings.
After RHP Michael Byrne (L, 1-2) retired the first seven Smokies in the game, Nelson Maldonado singled in the third. Maldonado moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Carlos Sepulveda’s RBI single. Brennen Davis and Maldonado both hit RBI singles in the fourth to extend the Smokies lead to 3-0.
Lorenzo Cedrola’s two-out, two-run single off Uelmen in the fifth pulled the Lookouts within one, but the Smokies broke the game open in the bottom half. Tyler Payne’s sacrifice fly put the Smokies up 4-2. One pitch later, Chase Strumpf extended the lead to 6-2 with a two-run home run to right field, his second of the season.
After Jay Schuyler’s RBI double and a walk in the ninth, the Lookouts brought the tying run to the plate. Manuel Rodriguez (SV, 2) came in and forced Jose Barrero to ground into a fielder’s choice. Rodriguez then got Braxton Lee to ground into a game-ending double play to earn his second save.
The Smokies and Lookouts continue their series at Smokies Stadium on Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7 PM. RHP Javier Assad (0-3, 4.94) will start for the Smokies against RHP Randy Wynne (1-2, 6.00). Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.
Saturday night at Smokies Stadium is Margaritaville Night. The Summer Fireworks Series, presented by Coors Light and Pepsi continues following Saturday night’s game. Tickets for the remainder of the series are available and can be purchased online, over the phone, or by visiting the 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.
