First-inning homer sets up Smokies for 10-4 win over Barons in Knoxville
· Yahoo Sports
The Knoxville Smokies returned home to Covenant Health Park on May 5 in dominant fashion, taking the first of six games against the Birmingham Barons by a score of 10-4.
The Smokies and Barons each entered the game with a 13-14 record, vying for second place in the Southern League North. Whichever team takes this series will break what has been a back-and-forth battle in the first half of the 2026 season.
Visit saltysenoritaaz.com for more information.
Knoxville kept Birmingham scoreless through five innings and led by as many as seven runs. Wilfred Veras doubled for the Barons in the sixth inning and put three runs on the board. A Jeral Perez single helped narrow the gap to 7-4 later in the inning, but Birmingham’s scoring stopped there.
Knoxville's 10-run game kept Birmingham at a comfortable arm's length all night. A two-run home run from Jefferson Rojas got the scoring started in the first inning, and a Karson Simas homer added two more Smokies runs in the second.
Knoxville finished the night with 11 hits, drawing seven walks and striking out five times. Birmingham finished with seven hits, five walks and nine strikeouts at the plate.
The Smokies will be back at Covenant Health Park on Wednesday, May 6 for another 7 p.m. game against the Barons.
Knoxville Smokies star of the game: Jefferson Rojas
Jefferson Rojas ignited Covenant Health Park with a first-inning home run and helped keep the Smokies offensive momentum going the entire game. He finished the night with three RBIs.
Knoxville Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies are now 14-14, sitting in second place in the Southern League North. The Chattanooga Lookouts lead the division, four games ahead of the Smokies.
First-half standings (as of 10 p.m. May 5):
Southern League North
- Chattanooga Lookouts (18-10)
- Knoxville Smokies (14-14)
- Birmingham Barons (13-15)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (12-15)
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
The Smokies have five games left in the home series, which wraps up Sunday, May 10. Here are the deals and promotions fans can look forward to all week long (all games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, May 6: All-you-can-eat Wednesday ($34 buffet), Health Care Appreciation (healthcare professionals get in free with ID)
- Thursday, May 7: Thirsty Thursday (half-price draft beer), Knox Vegas, College Night ($10 for college students with ID)
- Friday, May 8: Camo Replica Jersey (first 2,000 fans get free camo replica jersey), Chick-fil-A Friday (ticket-coupon combo)
- Saturday, May 9: Big League Chew T-shirt Giveaway (first 1,000 fans get free shirt), Summer Firework Series
- 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10: Clear Purse Giveaway (first 500 women get clear purse), Mother's Day
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers Covenant Health Park for the business growth and development team. Email: [email protected]; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: First-inning homer sets up Smokies for 10-4 win over Barons in Knoxville