Smokies return to Knoxville, drop opening game to Montgomery Biscuits
The leaders of the Southern League South came to Knoxville and defeated the Smokies in their May 19 return to Covenant Health Park.
The Knoxville Smokies returned to Covenant Health Park on May 19 but couldn't get the bats hot, falling 3-1 in the first of six games against the Montgomery Biscuits. Yenrri Rojas started on the mound for the Smokies and allowed six hits and three runs across five innings against the Biscuits, who lead the Southern League South. The right-hander struck out four batters and did not surrender a walk, but the Smokies offense could not overcome an early three-run deficit.
Montgomery got the scoring started in the second inning with a fielder's choice, followed by a no-doubt home run from Kenny Piper that cleared the bullpen in left field for a 2-0 Biscuits lead. The Biscuits tacked on a third run with another fielder's choice the following inning, and that's all they needed as the Smokies' bats stayed cool on a warm Tuesday night in downtown Knoxville. Right fielder Jordan Nwogu grounded into a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fifth inning and fell as he ran through first base.
He came up favoring his right leg and was replaced by Ed Howard, who took over at shortstop as Karson Simas moved to center field and Alex Ramirez shifted to right. Howard and Edgar Alvarez pieced together a pair of two-out doubles in the bottom of the seventh to get the Smokies on the board. These were the only Smokies hits to this point − and the only extra-base hits of the game.
Reliever Jace Beck navigated minimal traffic on the base paths, striking out seven Biscuits batters in three innings on the mound. Smokies standout player of the game: Edgar Alvarez Alvarez gave the Smokies their only run of the night, with a line drive to center field in the seventh inning resulting in an RBI double. He also drew a leadoff walk in the third inning, making him the only player to reach base twice for the home team.