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The Knoxville Smokies came out of the gate firing to earn a 4-3 win July 29, evening the series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Covenant Health Park.
Knoxville's offense recorded seven hits. Six of those came in the first inning, and so did all four runs.
"I like the bounce back win from yesterday, right?" manager Lance Rymel told Knox News.
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One night after not recording an extra-base hit until the ninth inning, Knoxville recorded two in the opening frame to start the scoring Wednesday night. The Smokies brought four runs across the plate with doubles from Jefferson Rojas and Carter Trice, as well as RBI base knocks from Miguel Useche and Alex Madera.
Just as Connor Shultz struggled with free passes July 28, so did Knoxville right-hander Dawson Netz.
Netz surrendered two walks and a balk in the third inning to aid Pensacola to its first two runs of the night. His start ended at four innings, in which he allowed four walks, two hits and two earned runs.
Knoxville's bullpen delivered five innings of one-run baseball. Frankie Scalzo Jr. began the strong relief effort with two scoreless innings - his first outing without allowing a run at home since June 4.
"I think most of us prepare really well and are ready to compete at our best most days," Scalzo Jr. told Knox News. "But honestly, just letting yourself be free and get into that competitive state. All of us are talented enough to go do great things. So it's just allowing yourself to do that."
Player of the game: Jefferson Rojas bounced back from a hitless, four-strikeout performance Tuesday night to deliver a double to left-center field in the first inning Wednesday. He added a single in the second inning, becoming the only Smokies player to earn a hit beyond the opening frame. "When he's going well, he can go (opposite field) with the best of them, he can go pull side,” Rymel said. “When you see Rojas spraying the ball around the field, that's when he's very, very good."
The Smokies even the series 1-1 against the Blue Wahoos, with four games to play at Covenant Health Park. Here are the remaining promotions with Pensacola in town.
The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and continue to lead the Southern League North in the second half.
Southern League South standings
Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. July 29.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies’ four-run first inning enough to even series with Blue Wahoos
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Knoxville's offense recorded seven hits. Six of those came in the first inning, and so did all four runs.
"I like the bounce back win from yesterday, right?" manager Lance Rymel told Knox News.
Buy Smokies tickets here!
One night after not recording an extra-base hit until the ninth inning, Knoxville recorded two in the opening frame to start the scoring Wednesday night. The Smokies brought four runs across the plate with doubles from Jefferson Rojas and Carter Trice, as well as RBI base knocks from Miguel Useche and Alex Madera.
Just as Connor Shultz struggled with free passes July 28, so did Knoxville right-hander Dawson Netz.
Netz surrendered two walks and a balk in the third inning to aid Pensacola to its first two runs of the night. His start ended at four innings, in which he allowed four walks, two hits and two earned runs.
Knoxville's bullpen delivered five innings of one-run baseball. Frankie Scalzo Jr. began the strong relief effort with two scoreless innings - his first outing without allowing a run at home since June 4.
"I think most of us prepare really well and are ready to compete at our best most days," Scalzo Jr. told Knox News. "But honestly, just letting yourself be free and get into that competitive state. All of us are talented enough to go do great things. So it's just allowing yourself to do that."
Smokies player of the game, top moments: Wednesday, July 29
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Player of the game: Jefferson Rojas bounced back from a hitless, four-strikeout performance Tuesday night to deliver a double to left-center field in the first inning Wednesday. He added a single in the second inning, becoming the only Smokies player to earn a hit beyond the opening frame. "When he's going well, he can go (opposite field) with the best of them, he can go pull side,” Rymel said. “When you see Rojas spraying the ball around the field, that's when he's very, very good."
- Setting off the fireworks: The Smokies haven't had a multi-run first inning since July 4 against the Columbus Clingstones, a game they lost 4-3. Knoxville's four-run opening frame is the most since scoring five runs in the first inning in a June 4 win over the Birmingham Barons.
- Cooled down: Knoxville recorded six hits in the first-inning onslaught and did not have a hit over the final six innings after the game. Rojas' second-inning single was the Smokies' last hit of the night.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
The Smokies even the series 1-1 against the Blue Wahoos, with four games to play at Covenant Health Park. Here are the remaining promotions with Pensacola in town.
- 7 p.m. July 30: Thirsty Thursday (half-price draft beer), Knox Vegas (themed jerseys), College Night ($10 tickets for college students)
- 7 p.m. July 31: Paint the Park Pink (specialty jerseys), Summer Fireworks Series, Chick-fil-A Friday (two tickets and two coupons for $48), Feel-Good Friday, Fill-a-Ford 4Students (bring school supply donations, each person who donates receive two complimentary vouchers for 2027 Smokies tickets)
- 7 p.m. Aug. 1: Knoxville Giants (specialty jerseys), Summer Fireworks Series
- 2 p.m. Aug. 2: No promotions scheduled
Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and continue to lead the Southern League North in the second half.
- Knoxville Smokies (15-14 second half, 53-45 overall)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (13-15 second half, 48-48 overall)
- Birmingham Barons (11-17 second half, 37-60 overall)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (11-17 second half, 48-49 overall)
Southern League South standings
- Biloxi Shuckers (17-11 second half, 52-41 overall)
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (16-12 second half, 52-45 overall)
- Columbus Clingstones (15-13 second half, 44-48 overall)
- Montgomery Biscuits (14-13 second half, 49-47 overall)
Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. July 29.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies’ four-run first inning enough to even series with Blue Wahoos
Continue reading...
