SMOKIES WIN SERIES IN CHATTANOOGA

CHATTANOOGA, TN  - The Tennessee Smokies swept the doubleheader and clinched the series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday, winning 3-2 in game one and 3-2 in game two. 
The Smokies jumped out to an early lead in game one when Trent Giambrone hit a solo home run to left field to make it 1-0. It was the first home run of the season for Giambrone. Chattanooga responded with a sacrifice fly in the second inning and an RBI-double in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. 
Tennessee tied the game at 2-2 on a Yasiel Balaguert solo home run in the fourth inning, which was also the first home run of the year for Balaguert. Jeffrey Baez scored Jesse Hodges on a sacrifice bunt in the fifth inning to provide the eventual winning run for the Smokies and make it a 3-2 game. 
Thomas Hatch improved to 3-0 on the season as the Smokies starter with another solid outing on the mound. Hatch pitched 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk. Jake Stinnett relieved Hatch and threw a scoreless sixth inning. Dakota Mekkes earned the save with perfect seventh inning, not allowing a base runner while striking out one. 
Chattanooga took an early lead in the second game of the doubleheader. The Lookouts got on the board first when a fielder's choice scored a run in the first inning to make it a 1-0 game. They added another run in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI-double to take a 2-0 lead. 
Trey Martin got the Smokies on the scoreboard when he singled home Eddy Martinez in the fifth inning, making it 2-1. Ian Rice tied the game 2-2 when he scored on a wild pitch later in the inning. The Smokies took the lead when Baez doubled and Martin scored to make it 3-2. 
Oscar De La Cruz pitched a complete-game on the mound for Tennessee. De La Cruz threw 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He added five strikeouts and did not walk any batters. 
The Smokies and Lookouts will play game 5 of the series tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. Tennessee's starting pitcher is expected to be Michael Rucker (1-2, 6.14 ERA), while Chattanooga will send Randy LeBlanc (3-1, 1.99 ERA) to the mound. 
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