Smokies Deny Barons Ninth Inning Rally

The Tennessee Smokies (14-14) scored all the runs they would need in the first inning, holding on for a 3-1 win over the Birmingham Barons (14-15) in the fourth game of a Southern League North divisional series on Saturday night at Smokies Stadium.

• Turning Points: After the Barons failed to hang a run in the top of the first for the first time in the series, a leadoff walk and a single from the first two Smokies batters set up Zack Short for a two-run double on the next at bat. Ian Rice singled in Short later in the frame for a 3-0 Tennessee lead.
• Moments That Mattered: With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth, Zack Collins  came in to pinch hit for the Barons. The Southern League walks leader drew a free pass for an RBI to pull Birmingham within two runs. However, Craig Brooks got Danny Mendick  to fly out on the following at bat for the save.
• By the Numbers: Tennessee's Oscar De La Cruz silenced a fierce Birmingham attack that accounted for 25 home runs in its previous 13 games, giving up just two hits - a pair of singles - while dealing 10 strikeouts through five and two-thirds innings on the mound. Ryan Brett  and Eloy Jiménez  were the lone Barons to record a hit against De La Cruz.
• Facts and Figures: After giving up three earned runs in the first, Jordan Guerrero  didn't allow another, tossing five scoreless frames while striking out eight and retiring nine Tennessee batters in order.
• Up Next: Birmingham and Tennessee wrap up their divisional series with the rubber game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Southpaw Ian Clarkin  (3-2, 6.08 ERA) will toe the rubber against righty Michael Rucker (1-2, 5.49 ERA). Curt Bloom will have the call on 960 WERC News Radio and the iHeart Radio app.