Shuckers Walk-Off to Beat Smokies, 2-1
BILOXI, Miss. - After an hour and 41 minute rain delay, Tennessee jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first. However, it was Biloxi who celebrated at the end. The Shuckers tied it in the eighth and then won it in the ninth, as C Jacob Nottingham ripped a RBI single to left to give Biloxi a 2-1 win over the Smokies on a rain-soaked Saturday night at MGM Park.
With the defeat, Tennessee drops to 12-11 on the season and to 6-2 through eight games on this road trip. With the victory, Biloxi's improves to a Southern League-best 16-6 on the year.
With the game evened up at one in the ninth, LF Kyle Wren (3-5, R, SO) led off with a single to right. RF Tyrone Taylor (1-4) then squared to sacrifice him into scoring position and laid a bunt down the first base line. The ball was not fielded cleanly, however, as both runners were safe on the error.
Following a sacrifice bunt by CF Brett Phillips (1-3, R, BB, 2 SO) that advance both runners into scoring position, Nottingham (1-5, RBI) stepped in with a chance to win it. The 21-year old slapped a 1-1 offering from RHP Juan Paniagua (1.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, SO) past third base and into left field for a base-hit. Wren scored from third, as Biloxi captured the 2-1 win.
The walk-off knock was both Nottingham's and Biloxi's second of the year. The former Athletics and Astros farmhand collected the Shuckers' first game-ender against Mobile with a walk-off home run in the 13th inning on April 12.
Tennessee carried a 1-0 advantage into the eighth, but could not hold on. Phillips started the rally with a single to center and 1B Nick Ramirez (2-3, BB) followed with a one-out, cue shot single to third. After a four-pitch walk to 2B Javier Betancourt (0-2, 2 BB), Garrett Cooper (0-0, RBI, BB) stepped up to pinch-hit. RHP Starling Peralta (1.1 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 BB) issued another free pass on four tosses to force home a run to tie the game at one.
That was all Biloxi would manage in the frame. Paniagua entered from the bullpen after the back-to-back walks and proceeded to record a strike out and a pop out to keep the game tied going into the ninth.
Tennessee grabbed the initial lead three batters into the game. With one out, 2B Chesny Young (1-4, R, SO) singled to left and then swiped second base. On a 3-1 offering, 3B Jeimer Candelario (1-4, RBI) cranked a single to center. Young scampered home from second on the run-scoring knock to put the Smokies up, 1-0.
After those back-to-back hits, Tennessee collected just two more hits and three more baserunners over the game's final 8.1 innings. LF Mark Zagunis (2-4) made it three straight knocks in the first and added a lead-off single in the fourth, but was immediately erased on a double play. 3B Ryan Dent (0-2, BB, SO) was the final Smokie to reach on a walk in the sixth. Biloxi's pitching staff faced the minimum in seven of the game's final eight innings.
Neither starter factored into the decision for the second straight night. RHP Paul Blackburn (5.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 SO) tossed five innings of shutout baseball, but exited after throwing just 72 pitches. Including tonight, the 22-year old has not allowed an earned run in 30 consecutive innings. His counterpart, LHP Josh Hader (6.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 5 SO), lasted a season-long six innings and struck out five, while allowing just one run.
RHP Jaye Chapman (1.0 IP) pitched a three-up, three-down ninth inning and recorded his first win of the year for Biloxi. Paniagua (1.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, SO), who surrendered Tennessee's first walk-off winner of the year to Birmingham's Joey DeMichele, also on April 12, suffered his second defeat of the year.
Zagunis (2-4) collected the only multi-hit game for Tennessee on Saturday. Wren (3-5, R, SO) and Ramirez (2-3, BB) each had two-plus hit performances for the victorious Shuckers.
The Smokies will even the series back up at two apiece on Sunday afternoon. Tennessee is expected to send the RHP Tyler Skulina (1-1, 5.12 ERA) to the bump. RHP Javi Salas (2-1, 2.82 ERA) is projected to take the ball for the Shuckers.
The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 1:55 p.m. ET, leading up to the 2:10 p.m. ET first pitch from MGM Park. Sunday afternoon's broadcast can be heard exclusively online at SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following a ten-game, 11-day roap trip, the Smokies will return home to battle the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, on Wednesday, May 4. The contest will be the first Smoky Mountain Popcorn All-You-Can-Eat Wednedsay of the season. Fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, baked beans, potato chips, ice cream sandwiches and Pepsi products for less than $25 apiece. Wednesday's matchup will also be the Smokies' annual Peanut Free Night contest presented by the Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET.
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
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.