Lugo strikes out eight over five innings, earns fifth win
SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies (37-45) sent 15 batters to the plate and scored ten runs in the second inning to beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas (41-42), 10-5, Wednesday night at Smokies Stadium.
After going down in order in the first inning, Tennessee opened things up quickly in the second. The Smokies scored ten runs and ran Rocket City starter Jhonathan Diaz (L, 5-2) from the game. The Smokies had seven hits, walked twice, and were hit by three pitches in the inning.
The Smokies scored in a plethora of ways in the second. After a hit batter and two singles loaded up the bases with no outs, Christopher Morel hit a two-run double to start the scoring. After Tyler Payne’s RBI double, Morel scored on a wild pitch. Delvin Zinn’s sacrifice fly extended the Smokies lead to 5-0.
After hitting two batters to load the bases, Kieran Lovegrove replaced Diaz. Nelson Velazquez welcomed the new pitcher with a two-run single. Cam Balego then hit a three-run home run, his first in Double-A, to put the Smokies up 10-0.
The Trash Pandas got on the board in the fourth inning thanks to Brendon Davis’ solo home run. Rocket City would add another run in the fourth inning, then scored three more times in the eighth, but it wasn’t enough to pull them back in the game.
Luis Lugo (W, 5-4) earned the win, allowing just two runs and four hits in five innings while matching his season-high with eight strikeouts. Smokies’ relievers Garrett Kelly and Cayne Ueckert both pitched scoreless innings.
Every Smokie starter reached base Wednesday night. Balego led the way offensively, reaching base four times, he was 2-for-3 with a single, his first Double-A home run, two walks, three RBI, and two runs scored. Velazquez and Morel also had two RBI in the win.
The Smokies and Trash Pandas continue their six game series Thursday night. First pitch between RHP Dakota Chalmers (2-2, 4.45) and LHP Ryan Smith (0-2, 10.24) is scheduled for 7 PM. Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.
Thursday night at Smokies Stadium is Thirsty Thursday presented by Coors Light. Tickets for the entire homestand 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.
