Davis doubles, clubs fifth home run in 2-0 win
SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies (26-35) shutout the Mississippi Braves (40-25), 2-0, Saturday night at Smokies Stadium. LHP Luis Lugo (W, 3-3) was fantastic as he beat the M-Braves for a third time this season, he took a no-hitter into the sixth and struck out seven over six scoreless innings.
The Smokies scored their first run in the third. After doubling off the top of the wall in right field in his first at-bat, Brennen Davis left no doubt in his second at-bat, sending a long solo home run over the right field wall.
After walking Greyson Jenista with two-outs in the first inning, Lugo retired 15 straight Braves hitters and took a no-hitter two-outs into the sixth inning. Justin Dean and Trey Harris hit back-to-back two-out singles to end the no-hit bid, but then Lugo struck out Jenista to end the inning. Lugo has not allowed an earned run in his last 23.1 innings.
The Smokies added to their lead in the sixth inning as Jared Young doubled— extending his on-base streak to 17 games— and came home on a hard Chase Strumpf ground ball to third base that C.J. Alexander threw away.
Tennessee’s bullpen continued its strong season with RHP Erich Uelmen earning a hold in two one-hit, scoreless innings.
The Braves got runners on second and third with one out in the ninth inning due to a dropped third strike and double, but RHP Ethan Roberts (SV, 3) would get out of the jam with a pop out and a strikeout to earn his third save of the season.
Davis finished 2-for-4 Saturday, his home run was his fifth with the Smokies, he also doubled in the win. Tyler Payne also finished 2-for-4 in the win.
The Smokies and M-Braves conclude their series Sunday afternoon at Smokies Stadium. First pitch between RHP Dakota Chalmers (0-1, 4.97) and LHP Hayden Deal (2-2, 4.03) is scheduled for 2 PM. Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.
The first 1,000 fans Sunday afternoon will receive a Nico Hoerner bobblehead presented by Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance.
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.
