Smokies return to Knoxville, drop opening game to Montgomery Biscuits

The Knoxville Smokies returned to Covenant Health Park on May 19 but couldn’t get the bats going, 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 with the Smokies’ bats cool on a warm 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 then took over at shortstop as Karson Simas moved to center field and Alex Ramirez shifted to right field.

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 ended up being 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.

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.

The Smokies are now 21-19 in the Southern League North after dropping the first game of the series to the Biscuits.

Southern League North standings (as of 9:45 p.m. ET on May 19)

1. Chattanooga Lookouts (23-16)

2. Knoxville Smokies (21-19)

3. Rocket City Trash Pandas (20-19)

4. Birmingham Barons (16-23)

Southern League South standings (as of 9:45 p.m. ET on May 19)

1. Montgomery Biscuits (21-19)

2. Columbus Clingstones (19-19)

3. Pensacola Blue Wahoos (19-20)

4. Biloxi Shuckers (17-21)

The Smokies are now down 1-0 in the series against the Biscuits. Here are the promotions scheduled for the rest of the week with Montgomery in town:

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20: All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday (buffet available for $29 in advance or $34 day of game)

• 5 p.m. Friday, May 22 (doubleheader): Margaritaville Night (Jimmy Buffett theming and post-fireworks tribute concert), Summer Fireworks Series, Chick-fil-A Friday (ticket, Chick-fil-A coupon combo)

• 7 p.m. Saturday, May 23: Grateful Dead Night (specialty Grateful Dead jerseys and Deadhead theming), Summer Fireworks Series

• 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24: Moises Ballesteros Bobblehead Giveaway (for the first 2,000 fans)

7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20: All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday (buffet available for $29 in advance or $34 day of game)

5 p.m. Friday, May 22 (doubleheader): Margaritaville Night (Jimmy Buffett theming and post-fireworks tribute concert), Summer Fireworks Series, Chick-fil-A Friday (ticket, Chick-fil-A coupon combo)

7 p.m. Saturday, May 23: Grateful Dead Night (specialty Grateful Dead jerseys and Deadhead theming), Summer Fireworks Series

2 p.m. Sunday, May 24: Moises Ballesteros Bobblehead Giveaway (for the first 2,000 fans)

Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: trevor.mcgee@knoxnews.com

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies return to Knoxville, drop opening game to Montgomery Biscuits