SMOKIES SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER

SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE - After Monday night's game was postponed due to rain, Tennessee and Pensacola split a doubleheader on Tuesday evening to conclude a five-game series. The Smokies took four-of-five from the Blue Wahoos. In game one of the doubleheader, Pensacola won 5-0, before Tennessee took game two, 2-1.
The Smokies couldn't get the bats going in game one as they only managed one hit over the course of seven shutout innings from Blue Wahoos' pitcher José López. Lopez improved to 7-1 on the season and struck out seven Tennessee hitters. Ian Rice picked up the only Smokies' hit with a single in the bottom of the second inning.
Zach Hedges received the start in game one, allowing three runs on eight hits over the course of five innings. Hedges received the loss on the evening and is now 7-9 on the season. Preston Morrison pitched the sixth and seventh inning, allowing two runs on four hits.
Tennessee only managed two runs in the nightcap of the doubleheader, but the bats woke up as the Smokies collected eight hits in the win.
James Pugliese received the start on the bump in game two, turning in an impressive four inning outing. Pugliese allowed just one run on three hits while walking one and striking out two.
The bullpen continued the dominant pitching performance as Brad Markey and Craig Brooks combined to pitch three scoreless innings, shutting the door on the Blue Wahoos and the series. Markey pitched the fifth and sixth inning, allowing just one hit and one walk, while striking out two to earn his second win of the season. Brooks would close things down in the seventh, picking up his fifth save of the year.
Yasiel Balaguert carried the offense, collecting both RBIs in game two of the doubleheader. In the bottom of the third, he grounded out to shortstop, allowing Charcer Burks to score and tie the game up at 1-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Balaguert hit a line drive to left, allowing Jason Vosler to score and give the Smokies a 2-1 lead. The Vosler run would prove to be the game winner. Balaguert finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
The Smokies now head down to Biloxi for a five-game series with the Shuckers following a day off on Wednesday. Tennessee will return home on August 16th for a five-game series with the first-place Chattanooga Lookouts.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the World Series Champion 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