SMOKIES SHUTOUT IN LOSS TO PENSACOLA

Tennessee's offense unable to produce despite stellar pitching performance

May 25, 2018

PENSACOLA, FL  - The Tennessee Smokies were defeated 2-0 by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Friday night in Pensacola. Despite good pitching, the Smokies offense was unable to string any hits together. Pensacola scored the lone runs when they plated two in the bottom of the fourth inning to provide the eventual winning

PENSACOLA, FL - The Tennessee Smokies were defeated 2-0 by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Friday night in Pensacola. Despite good pitching, the Smokies offense was unable to string any hits together.
Pensacola scored the lone runs when they plated two in the bottom of the fourth inning to provide the eventual winning runs.
The Smokies attempted to rally in the eighth inning, but came up short. Erick Castillo hit a one-out double to put a runner in scoring position. After a strikeout, Charcer Burks drew a walk to put runners on at first and second. Vimael Machin followed with another walk to load the bases with two out, but all three were stranded on a strikeout to end the frame. Eddy Martinez hit a two-out double in the ninth inning, but he was also left on base. Yasiel Balaguert added a hit in the game as well.
Thomas Hatch started on the mound for the Smokies. Hatch pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He also walked four and struck out five. Hatch has now pitched at least five innings in eight of his last nine starts and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all but two of those nine outings.
Hatch was relieved by Tommy Nance in the sixth inning. Nance threw 1.1 shutout innings, not allowing a Pensacola baserunner to reach before handing the ball to Craig Brooks, who pitched a perfect eighth inning.
Tennessee and Pensacola will meet again on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Oscar De La Cruz is going to start that game for the Smokies. De La Cruz is 4-5 with a 5.83 ERA on the season. He has allowed four hits or fewer in four out of his last five starts.
The full schedule for this season and information regarding single-game tickets, season tickets, and mini plans can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
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