Smokies swept on walk-off home run

BILOXI, MS - The Tennessee Smokies were swept by the Biloxi Shuckers thanks to a 7-5 loss on Sunday evening. Tennessee led 5-1 going into the eighth inning but were hit with bullpen woes as the Shuckers walked off in the ninth.
Thomas Hath received the start for Tennessee and, after struggling recently, was back to his old ways. Hatch pitched five innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out four. With the outing, he lowered his ERA to just over four. 
The Smokies wasted no time trying to break their losing streak as they took the lead in the top of the first inning. Charcer Burks led off the inning with a double and was moved to third on a single from Trent Giambrone. That brought up Zack Short who grounded into a double play but Burks scored to make it 1-0. 
After a brief tie, the Smokies took the lead in the top of the second. With one out, Vimael Machin doubled and Connor Myers walked to put two runners on. Erick Castillo grounded out to the third baseman who stepped on the bag to get Machin, but a throwing error allowed Myers to score and make it 2-1 Smokies. 
Late in the game, the Smokies hit a pair of home runs to increase their lead. In the top of the sixth, Yasiel Balaguert doubled with two outs to bring up Martinez. Martinez delivered as he hit a two-run home run over the fence in left center. It was the third straight game Martinez had homered. In the top of the seventh, Charcer Burks made the score 5-1 as he hit his fifth home run of the year.
Preston Morrison replaced Hatch on the mound in the sixth inning and pitched two hit-less innings while also striking out two. Daury Torrez was the next arm out of the pen and he struggled, allowing Biloxi to tie it as he allowed four runs in the bottom of the eighth. Jake Stinnett came in to pitch the ninth and gave up a two-run walk-off home run by Troy Stokes Jr. to give Biloxi the win. 
The Smokies continue their road trip on Monday as they begin a five-game series in Birmingham against the Barons. Michael Rucker is the projected starter for the Smokies as he looks for win number eight one the season. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. 
Written by Rob Harvey, Broadcast Assistant for the Tennessee Smokies
The full schedule for this season and information regarding single-game tickets, season tickets, and mini plans can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
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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