Biscuits Shut Out Smokies, 3-0

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Biscuits (52-33) recorded just three hits-all three of them in the third inning-and still blanked the Tennessee Smokies (39-45) in their series opener on Independence Day at Riverwalk Stadium, 3-0.
Sam McWilliams (6-3) made his 11^th start of the season for the Biscuits, and got some help from his offense in the third when Vidal Burjan hooked his first Double-A home run over the right field wall and gave the Biscuits a 2-0 lead against Smokies starter Cory Abbott (5-5). Jesús Sánchez added to that lead later in the inning with a sac fly, and the Biscuits were in front 3-0 at the end of three.
McWilliams allowed two singles in the first inning, and then another in the second inning, but faced the minimum in the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, picking off Charcer Burks at first in the second. McWilliams got some help from his battery mate Rene Pinto, who threw out Wynton Bernard and Christian Donahue, both of whom tried to steal second in the fifth as well.
Jhonleider Salinas worked a 1-2-3 eighth, before Dalton Moats closed thing out with a scoreless ninth, securing the Biscuits 13^th shutout victory of 2019.
Montgomery will try to make it three-straight wins on Friday night when Josh Fleming (6-4) takes on the Smokies again at 6:35 PM CT when it will be a Bicentennial Celebration featuring a Jersey Auction and MAX Fireworks.
The six-game homestand will also feature Beach Night and MAX Fireworks on Saturday, July 6; Lil' Crumbs Dress Like a Player Socks Giveaway on Sunday, July 7; and Camp Day on Tuesday, July 9.