KODAK - A pair of ninth inning home runs sealed the Tennessee Smokies (49-68, 16-32) 5-2 defeat, and a series win for the Biloxi Shuckers (70-47, 29-18) at Smokies Stadium on Friday night. Smokies starter RHP Cory Abbott (L, 6-8) served his eighth quality start in 22 outings this season with
KODAK - A pair of ninth inning home runs sealed the Tennessee Smokies (49-68, 16-32) 5-2 defeat, and a series win for the Biloxi Shuckers (70-47, 29-18) at Smokies Stadium on Friday night.
Smokies starter RHP Cory Abbott (L, 6-8) served his eighth quality start in 22 outings this season with seven innings of three hit, three run baseball. The Cubs No. 9 prospect bested his season high in strikeouts that he set in his last start by knocking out ten Shuckers.
Biloxi made the most of their one hit against Abbott through the first six innings. After a leadoff walk in the third, Joantgel Segovia connected for his first home run of the season to put the Shuckers ahead 2-0.
The near savior from Wednesday's night game, Eddy Martinez, added his second RBI of the series in the fourth. A line drive to right sent Vimael Machin around third to cut the deficit to one.
In the sixth, Nico Hoerner drew four straight balls to lead off with a walk. Two-outs later, Jared Young singled Hoerner in to tie the game.
In Abbott's last trip to the mound, the Shuckers regained the lead. A leadoff double from Weston Wilson got things started for Biloxi. Abbott responded with a strikeout and a groundout to set himself up to avoid any damage. However, Bruce Caldwell slapped a double on a two-strike to push Wilson home and the Shuckers back ahead.
Smokies LHP Jordan Minch gave up two home runs in the ninth. Hummel swung on a 3-0 count to record his 16th home run which was followed up with Wilson's 15th homer of the season.
Five arms from the Shuckers dealt while ultimately RHP Johan Belisario (W, 9-1) earned the win thanks to four, two run innings. RHP Nate Griep (S, 19) worked around the tying run at the plate to collect the one out save.
The two sides do it again on Saturday night at 7 pm EDT from Smokies Stadium. RHP Erick Uelman (0-1, 7.94) gets his second start with Tennessee while Biloxi counters with RHP Alec Bettinger (5-7, 3.63). The Smokies celebrate UT night at Smokies Stadium on Saturday night with the first 1,000 fans receiving a Phillip Fulmer bobblehead.
