SMOKIES WIN THIRD STRAIGHT

SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE - An opportunistic offense and a nice outing from the pitching staff led the Smokies' to a 6-2 win over the Blue Wahoos. 
Despite only tallying seven hits, the Smokies scored six runs on the night. In the bottom of the third, David Bote laced a two-run double into left, scoring Charcer Burks and Daniel Spingola to give Tennessee an early 2-0 lead. Trey Martin drove in Yasiel Balaguert in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 3-0.
Pensacola would get on the board in the top of the seventh, striking for two runs and cutting the Tennessee lead to 3-2. The Blue Wahoos scored two runs in large part due to two costly Tennessee errors.
After Pensacola cut it to a one-run game, Spingola spanked a two-run homer over the right field wall to extend the Smokies' lead to 5-2. The homer was Spingola's fourth of the season. Ian Rice would drive in Tennessee's sixth run of the game in the eighth, singling to score Balaguert.  
Steve Perakslis received the start for Tennessee on Saturday night at Smokies Stadium, pitching five scoreless innings. Perakslis only allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out a season-high nine batters. Preston Morrison would pitch two innings in relief before Brad Markey saw action out of the bullpen as well. James Norwood would close out the game in the ninth to cap off the 6-2 victory.
The Smokies are back in action tomorrow afternoon against the Blue Wahoos, where they can clinch the series with a win. Game three of the five-game series is set for 5:30 p.m. ET with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. ET. Tennessee looks to win its fourth straight. Sunday's game will feature a Mystery Bobblehead Giveaway to the first 500 fans, presented by Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton.