The Smokies won the game and the series May 9 with a 4-3 victory over the Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park, with still another meeting scheduled for Sunday to close out the six-game set.
The Barons traveled to Knoxville looking to break free from the back-and-forth battle for second place in the Southern League North standings, but the Smokies seem to have found their footing.
Immediately following back-to-back wins over the Barons in a Friday doubleheader, the Smokies stayed in stride and got the scoring started in the second inning Saturday with a two-run homer from Ariel Armas. Birmingham took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning off an RBI groundout and a Smokies throwing error, but Knoxville responded in the bottom of the frame with a solo home run from Owen Ayers followed by an Edgar Alvarez sacrifice fly that scored Alex Ramirez and made the score 4-3.
Tyler Schlaffer started on the mound for the Smokies and lasted five innings before being replaced, giving up no runs and just one hit while striking out seven batters.
Smokies standout player of the game: Ariel Armas
Drawing a walk in the game, designated hitter Ariel Armas had just one hit in his three official plate appearances but made it count, earning two RBIs with a home run in the second inning that set the tone early for a Smokies win.
Knoxville Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies are now 17-15, sitting in second place in the Southern League North. The Chattanooga Lookouts lead the division.
First-half standings (as of 9:30 p.m. May 9):
- Chattanooga Lookouts (21-10)
- Knoxville Smokies (17-15)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (15-16)
- Birmingham Barons (14-18)
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
The Smokies have one game remaining in the home series, and it’s on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 10. The first 500 women through the gates will get a clear Smokies purse for free.
The Smokies are on the road May 12-17 for a series against the Columbus Clingstones before returning to Covenant Health Park for a May 19-24 series against the Montgomery Biscuits.
Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor for Knox News. Email: ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com; Cell: 865-317-5138; Instagram: @knoxscruff.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies secure series win with 4-3 victory over Barons in Knoxville
