Smokies fall to Biscuits, grounds crew shines in rain-soaked series loss
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After two rain delays in one game, the Knoxville Smokies ended a wonky homestand with a 7-3 loss in the series finale May 24 against the Montgomery Biscuits at Covenant Health Park.
Montgomery also won the shortened series 4-1 after battling weather in four games of what was scheduled to be a six-game series. Sunday's action featured two delays – one in the first and one in the fourth inning – marking four weather delays in the series (with a Savannah Bananas game in between).
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Smokies starter Dawson Netz had only given up one run in 19.1 innings this season, but the Biscuits managed to plate three runs off him immediately coming out of the first delay.
A Jhon Diaz two-run single in the second inning made the score 3-0, ending Netz's day.
Montgomery pushed two more runs across the plate in the fourth inning, with help from a triple by former Tennessee baseball signee Ryan Spikes before the game entered a second rain delay.
Edgar Alvarez provided Knoxville's first hit with a fifth-inning single. Ariel Armas brought him home on a double to prevent a shutout.
Smokies standout player of the game: Grounds crew
Knoxville's grounds crew, made up of staff members and student interns, brought out the tarp twice before fans arrived at Covenant Health Park.
Once the game began, the grounds crew applied the tarp two more times. The fourth-inning instance included a seven-minute stint between laying the tarp down and pulling it back. As soon as the game ended, the grounds crew put the tarp back on the field.
Knoxville Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies are 22-22 on the season after losing the series 4-1 to the Biscuits.
Southern League North standings (as of 7:15 p.m. ET on May 24)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (25-19)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (23-21)
- Knoxville Smokies (22-22)
- Birmingham Barons (16-27)
Southern League South standings (as of 7:15 p.m. ET on May 24)
- Montgomery Biscuits (24-20)
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (22-22)
- Biloxi Shuckers (21-21)
- Columbus Clingstones (21-22)
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
The Smokies hit the road for a six-game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts May 26-31. Knoxville returns to Covenant Health Park beginning Tuesday, June 2, for a series against the Birmingham Barons. Here are the promotions for when the Smokies return home:
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3: All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday (buffet available for $29 in advance or $34 day of game) and Health Care Appreciation (one free baseline ticket for healthcare professionals)
- 7 p.m. Thursday, June 4: Thirsty Thursday (half-price draft beer), Knox Vegas (themed jerseys), College Night ($10 standing room tickets for college students), Elvis Night (Rock 'n' Roll theming)
- 7 p.m. Friday, June 5: Summer Fireworks Series, Feel-Good Friday, Chick-fil-A Family Herd Night (two tickets, coupons for $48)
- 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6: Wrestling Night (themed music, between-inning entertainment), Summer Fireworks Series, Luchador Mask Giveaway (first 1,000 fans receive luchador mask)
- 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7: Kids Summer Kick Off (kids ages 4-12 can run bases postgame), Ice Cream Drip Jersey Giveaway (first 500 kids will receive themed jersey)
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies fall to Biscuits, grounds crew shines in rain-soaked series loss