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The Knoxville Smokies haven't lost a series since late May after splitting a six-game set with the Biloxi Shuckers at Covenant Health Park last week, despite efforts from a pair of former University of Tennessee standouts.
Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer were key contributors in preventing the Smokies from taking a series win over Biloxi. Burke produced the game-winning runs July 11 and 12 with a sacrifice fly Saturday and a two-run home run Sunday.
Fischer added insurance both days with an RBI single and a solo home run, respectively.
Back in town July 28-Aug. 2: Buy Smokies tickets!
Burke finished the week 3-for-20 with two doubles and a home run, striking out eight times and walking five. Fischer went 5-for-21 with two doubles, a triple and a home run.
"It was great," Burke told Knox News. "The place filled out every day. Me and (Fischer) would come out here and feel the love from the fans. Being able to come out here and play was a lot of fun."
The MLB All-Star break gives Knoxville several days off before they return July 17 for a shortened three-game set in Montgomery against the Biscuits, the last club to hand the Smokies a series loss. Until then, Smokies manager Lance Rymel is looking forward to resting.
"Enjoy it, right?" Rymel told Knox News. "This is for the staff, too. ... Everybody's got their individual plan they can be working on − and just keep working on that and try to get to Chicago or help us win a Double-A Championship."
The playoff-bound Smokies, who clinched the Southern League North's first-half title, enjoyed some promising developments during their home series against the Shuckers. Two bats recently called up from High-A, utility infielders Drew Bowser and Alex Madera, lifted the bottom of the order throughout the week and combined for four multi-hit games.
Right-handed pitcher Brody McCullough made his first Double-A appearance since 2024 on July 12 after battling injuries for the past two seasons. McCullough allowed two hits in his four-inning start, giving up two runs on Burke's third-inning homer.
McCullough "definitely deserves a shoutout," Rymel said, "for just the hard work that nobody sees behind the scenes."
The Smokies will be back at home July 28-Aug. 2 to face the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
CHICAGO CUBS (MLB): The Cubs head into the break with back-to-back series wins − and with former Smokies outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong ready to compete in his second All-Star game. Chicago made 21 picks in the 2026 MLB Draft over the weekend, including former UT left-handed pitcher Brandon Arvidson, who now has a path to playing with the Smokies. With a 54-42 record, the Cubs are five games back from the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
IOWA CUBS (Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa): Former Smokies pitchers Jaxon Wiggins and Grant Kipps combined for 5.2 innings in a 7-4 win over the St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins) on July 10. It was Wiggins' first appearance since April, giving up three runs in 2.2 innings. Kipp gave up one hit and one run in three innings of relief.
SOUTH BEND CUBS (High-A affiliate in South Bend, Indiana): Josiah Hartshorn and Mason McGwire competed in the MLB Futures Game on Sunday, July 12. Hartshorn went 0-for-2, while McGwire faced two batters with one hit allowed and one strikeout.
MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS (Single-A affiliate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina): Ethan Conrad, the Cubs' 2025 first-round pick, was assigned to Myrtle Beach on July 8. He hit his first Single-A home run on July 12, clearing the batter's eye.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: See how former Vols performed in Knoxville before Smokies hit the road
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Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer were key contributors in preventing the Smokies from taking a series win over Biloxi. Burke produced the game-winning runs July 11 and 12 with a sacrifice fly Saturday and a two-run home run Sunday.
Fischer added insurance both days with an RBI single and a solo home run, respectively.
Back in town July 28-Aug. 2: Buy Smokies tickets!
Burke finished the week 3-for-20 with two doubles and a home run, striking out eight times and walking five. Fischer went 5-for-21 with two doubles, a triple and a home run.
"It was great," Burke told Knox News. "The place filled out every day. Me and (Fischer) would come out here and feel the love from the fans. Being able to come out here and play was a lot of fun."
All-Star break allows Smokies to rest, return home at the end of July
The MLB All-Star break gives Knoxville several days off before they return July 17 for a shortened three-game set in Montgomery against the Biscuits, the last club to hand the Smokies a series loss. Until then, Smokies manager Lance Rymel is looking forward to resting.
"Enjoy it, right?" Rymel told Knox News. "This is for the staff, too. ... Everybody's got their individual plan they can be working on − and just keep working on that and try to get to Chicago or help us win a Double-A Championship."
The playoff-bound Smokies, who clinched the Southern League North's first-half title, enjoyed some promising developments during their home series against the Shuckers. Two bats recently called up from High-A, utility infielders Drew Bowser and Alex Madera, lifted the bottom of the order throughout the week and combined for four multi-hit games.
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Right-handed pitcher Brody McCullough made his first Double-A appearance since 2024 on July 12 after battling injuries for the past two seasons. McCullough allowed two hits in his four-inning start, giving up two runs on Burke's third-inning homer.
McCullough "definitely deserves a shoutout," Rymel said, "for just the hard work that nobody sees behind the scenes."
The Smokies will be back at home July 28-Aug. 2 to face the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Around the Horn with the Chicago Cubs organization
CHICAGO CUBS (MLB): The Cubs head into the break with back-to-back series wins − and with former Smokies outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong ready to compete in his second All-Star game. Chicago made 21 picks in the 2026 MLB Draft over the weekend, including former UT left-handed pitcher Brandon Arvidson, who now has a path to playing with the Smokies. With a 54-42 record, the Cubs are five games back from the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
You must be registered for see images attach
IOWA CUBS (Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa): Former Smokies pitchers Jaxon Wiggins and Grant Kipps combined for 5.2 innings in a 7-4 win over the St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins) on July 10. It was Wiggins' first appearance since April, giving up three runs in 2.2 innings. Kipp gave up one hit and one run in three innings of relief.
SOUTH BEND CUBS (High-A affiliate in South Bend, Indiana): Josiah Hartshorn and Mason McGwire competed in the MLB Futures Game on Sunday, July 12. Hartshorn went 0-for-2, while McGwire faced two batters with one hit allowed and one strikeout.
MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS (Single-A affiliate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina): Ethan Conrad, the Cubs' 2025 first-round pick, was assigned to Myrtle Beach on July 8. He hit his first Single-A home run on July 12, clearing the batter's eye.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: See how former Vols performed in Knoxville before Smokies hit the road
Continue reading...
