Smokies Meet BayBears In Series Finale

The Smokies will look to salvage their series after falling to the Mobile BayBears last night as they face off this evening at 6:15 p.m. ET at Smokies Stadium.

Sunday's game features a special Memorial Day Celebration at Smokies Park. The Smoky Mountain Marine Corps League will be on hand to present the colors before the game and a postgame fireworks show comes after the final out of the game. Veterans, active-duty military, reserves and guard members are free to attend with a valid military I.D.

It was a pitcher's duel in last night's contest, however the Smokies were held to a single run and they would fall 2-1. Kris Bryant hit a home run in the fourth, his league leading 13th of the season, while Mobile INF Jake Lamb drove in both BayBears runs with his two-run double in the sixth.

The Smokies are expected to start RHP Julio Rodriguez (NR) in hopes of salvaging the series. This will be his first start of the season after signing with the Cubs organization as a Minor League free agent.

The BayBears will likely counter with RHP Michael Lee (3-2, 3.60). Lee last pitched on May 19 against Chattanooga, pitching five innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three.

Fans can listen to the broadcast on the Smokies Baseball Network, with the "Voice of the Smokies" Mick Gillispie and Greg Young. Gillispie and Young are assisted by Keith Brake, Meagan Wood, Sean Sullivan, Boomer Dangel and James Rowe. The Pilot/Oscar Meyer Pre-game Show will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Below are more notes on Tennessee's contest this evening, direct from the club's Game Notes, compiling by Director of Media Relations Andrew Green. The entire game notes can be viewed by clicking here.

CHICKS DIG THE LONGBALL: INF Kris Bryant maintained his lead in the Southern League home run tally with his 13th longball of the season last night...The 13 big flies match the 2014 total so far for the Cubs' Low-A affiliate Kane County Cougars...Bryant's 13 roundtrippers are the most of all player at the Double-A level, in addition to tied for fifth among all Minor Leaguers...The 22-year-old also leads the Southern League in hits (59), runs (41), on-base percentage (.433), slugging percentage (.638), extra-base hits (26) and total bases (111)...Bryant is also tied for first in RBI with Mobile OF David Peralta, and second in batting average (.339) behind only Mississippi INF Elmer Reyes (.346).

A PERFECT TEN: Bryant's two-hit game last night extended his hit streak to a 2014-best ten games...Dating back to May 13, No. eight overall prospect in baseball according to Baseball America owns a .405 average (15-37), adding seven runs, four doubles, three homers and 13 RBI...The infielder's longest hit streak of his professional career came while with Single-A Boise last season, when Bryant collected a hit in 15 consecutive contests for the Hawks...During that stretch, Bryant hit .415 (22-53) along with seven doubles, a triple, four homers, 16 RBI, seven walks and a .469 on-base percentage.

STRUGGLING STARTERS: Tennessee starting pitchers have not earned a victory since May 7, a span of 15 starts...RHP Dae-Eun Rhee was the last Smokies starter to earn a victory after yielding a lone earned run on three hits in seven innings of work against the Birmingham Barons...In this stretch, the Tennessee rotation has compiled an 0-4 record and 7.46 ERA (50 ER in 66.1 IP)...In this month, Smokies starters have recorded a 3-5 clip and 4.98 ERA (60 ER in 108.1 IP) after accumulating a 6-6 tally and 2.85 ERA (39 ER in 123.1 IP) in the month of April...This month Tennessee starters have allowed 12 longballs this month after giving up five in April.

SOUTHERN (IN)HOSPITALITY: Following last night's loss, the Smokies are now 3-11 versus South Division teams in 2014, compared to a 22-12 mark against the North...Tennessee hitters this season have compiled a .220 average (99-451) when facing South Division hurlers, in comparison to a .265 clip (306-1153) when squaring off with North pitching...Last year Tennessee posted a 23-31 record versus South Division squads, while recording a 53-31 tally versus the North last season.

RETURN OF THE HUNTER: Smokies left-handed reliever Hunter Cervenka has been activated from the Disabled List after going on the DL on May 11...The southpaw has compiled a 2-0 record and 1.15 ERA (2 ER in 15.2 IP), adding 18 strikeouts...Opposing hitters have managed just a .137 average (7-51) versus the lefty this season, while the 24-year-old has also posted a 0.83 WHIP...Ten of the left-hander's 12 relief appearances this season have been scoreless outings.

Tonight's broadcast will air on the Smokies' flagship station The Sports Animal 99.1 FM and 990 AM, plus online at www.smokiesbaseball.com, as well as via the Smokies' mobile app. Click the link below to listen live online.

Listen to the Smokies and BayBears, May 25, 2014.