Shaky seventh stifles BayBears in series opener

MOBILE, Ala. (June 21, 2018) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, tied the game in the sixth inning but fell to the Tennessee Smokies 4-2 in the series opener Thursday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Jason Alexander recorded his second quality start for the BayBears (37-32 overall, 0-1 second half), giving up just one run on three hits in six innings pitched. Alexander has only allowed one run on four hits in his first two Double-A outings, spanning 12 frames. He did not factor in the decision.
Riley Unroe tied the game 1-1 with a home run to begin the bottom of the sixth. It was Unroe's first home run of the season. He finished the game 2-for-3.
The Smokies (37-34, 1-0) plated three runs on one hit, four walks, and a hit-by-pitch in the seventh to take a 4-1 lead. Trey Martin , who hit a leadoff home run in the first, brought home the go-ahead run with the first of two bases-loaded walks against Adrian Almeida (2-2).
Michael Rucker (6-4), like Alexander, surrendered just one run in a six-inning start. James Norwood worked around a one-out single and a wild pitch in the ninth to earn his second save.
The BayBears continue the six-game home series against Tennessee Friday at 7:05 p.m. CDT. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 6:45 p.m.
The BayBears host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 3. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Group and hospitality offerings for the 2018 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
 
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 160 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
###