Smokies Fall Short in Loss to Braves, 8-7
SEVIERVILLE - The Smokies put together a comeback that was highlighted by a three-run home run by 1B Kelly Dugan in the fifth inning after they fell behind early, but ultimately it was the Braves who came out on top by the score of 8-7.
With the loss the Smokies fall to 13-13 on the year while the Braves improved their mark to 11-15.
The Braves got off to a blistering start to begin the contest. LHP Rob Zastryzny (5.0 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 2 HR) walked RF Matt Lipka (2-4, R) to begin the game and it was all downhill from there in the first inning for Tennessee. Last year's no.1 draft pick SS Dansby Swanson (4-5, RBI, 2B, 2 R) connected for a single that was then followed up by another free pass from Zastryzny. Then, with one out, 3B Carlos Franco (1-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R) hit a grounder to Dugan (1-5, HR, 3 RBI, R 2 SO) who flipped it to second in an attempt to turn the double play but Franco beat out the throw to first and Lipka scored from third to give Mississippi a 1-0 advantage.
The Braves were not done there in the top half of the first. C Willians Astudillo (2-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R) singled on a hard hit ball to left field scoring Swanson from third. CF Sean Godfrey (2-4, 3 B, 2 RBI) then ripped a triple past a diving CF Jacob Hannemann emptying the bases pushing the Braves' lead to 4-0 after one.
The Smokies' offense got going in the second frame after RHP Andrew Thurman (4.0 IP, 6H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO) walked RF Billy McKinney (1-3, 2 R, 2 BB) and C Victor Caratini (1-4, R, BB) to begin the inning. LF Mark Zagunis (2-5, RBI, R, SO) then connected for a single to left driving home McKinney from second base. Following a pop out by Dugan, SS Carlos Penalver (2-4, RBI, 2B, R) ripped a line drive down the left field line bringing home Caratini to cut the Braves' lead in half, 4-2.
Zastryzny then drew a walk to load the bases for the Smokies, but Hannemann (1-4, RBI, 2B) lined into a double play to Lipka in right. After catching the shallow line drive to surrender Hannemann, the 24-year-old then gunned down Zagunis who attempted to tag up from third.
Just when the Smokies grabbed some momentum in the second, the Braves retook all the momentum in the third inning. Franco led off the inning and hit a long ball to right for his first home run of the season that was immediately followed up by another solo shot; this one from Astudillo to push the Mississippi lead to 6-2.
As the rain began to fall at Smokies Stadium the runs continued to pour in as well. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Penalver singled to left for the second time in the ball game. Zastryzny then stepped into the batters box and the pitcher sent a shot off the center field wall for a double while driving home Penalver all the way from first. Hannemann then hit a laser down the right field line for a double of his own to drive home Zastryzny and cut the Mississippi lead to 6-4.
Mississippi turned to their bullpen in the home half of the fifth as LHP Steve Kent (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, SO) took over the mound but the 26-year-old Australian struggled. After striking out 3B Jeimer Candelario (0-5, 2 SO), McKinney singled to left to get things going for the Smokies. Following Caratini striking out, Zagunis connected for a single to bring the go-ahead run to the plate as Dugan stepped into the box. The 25-year-old delivered in sending a rocket over the left field wall to give Tennessee their first lead of the night, 7-6.
RHP Michael Jensen (1.0 IP, 4 H, ER) took over for the Smokies to begin the sixth inning and allowed the Braves to tie up the game at 7-7. Zastryzny was not handed a decision in what was his sixth start of the season. Jensen got 2B Johan Camargo (0-4) to ground into a double play early in the inning but with two outs the Braves' bats got going. PH Dian Toscano (1-1, R) hit the first of what would be three straight singles capped off by an RBI single off the bat of Swanson to tie things up.
The Braves went to the bullpen again in the bottom of the sixth as RHP Stephen Janas (2.0 IP, SO) took over for Mississippi. The 24-year-old made quick order of the Smokies in his two innings of work not surrendering a hit in his two innings of work.
RHP Josh Conway (2.0 IP, 2 SO) got the call from the bullpen to begin the seventh for the Smokies and the Pennsylvania native was strong on the mound and retired all six batters he faced including two strikeouts.
Mississippi went to 6-foot-3 RHP Mauricio Cabrera (1.0 IP, 2 BB) in the bottom of the eighth frame and the 22-year-old got two quick outs on consecutive ground outs but then found himself in a tough situation walking three straight batters to load the bases. Candelario came to the dish and drew a 3-0 count to begin the at-bat but Candelario hit a fly ball to left on a 3-2 count to close out the inning with the game still tied at seven runs a piece.
RHP Starling Peralta (1.0 IP, 2 H, ER, BB) began the ninth for Tennessee and surrendered the game winning run. Swanson drove one down the left field line for a double with one out followed by a single by OF Dustin Peterson (2-4, BB) advancing Swanson to third. Peralta then threw a wild pitch to the backstop allowing Swanson to score and put the Braves on top, 8-7.
Peralta was handed his first loss of the season while Cabrera picked up his first win for the Braves this year.
RHP Madison Younginer (1.0 IP, H, 2 SO) took the mound for the Braves to pick up the save and he was successful in doing so. He gave up a single to Caratini, but he secured the game for the Braves striking out Dugan to end the contest.
The Smokies and Braves will do it again on Thursday night at Smokies Stadium. The Smokies are set to go with RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (0-0, 2.25 ERA), the top pitching prospect in the Chicago Cubs' system and no. 4 Cubs' prospect overall according to Baseball America. The Braves are expected to turn to RHP Chris Ellis (3-0, 1.84 ERA).
The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch from Smokies Stadium. Thursday night's broadcast can be heard exclusively online at SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps.
Single-game tickets, as well as multi-voucher and season ticket packages are still available, and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300
Thursday night will be a Coors Light Thirsty Thursday. Fans will be able to enjoy drink specials throughout the evening. Patrons can purchase draft beers and soft drinks for as low as just $1 dollar to celebrate the upcoming weekend. It will be Cinco de Mayo at that ballpark featuring special on-field games and music.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern 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.