Smokies rally past five shutout innings from former Vols pitcher

A shutout start from former University of Tennessee pitcher Nate Snead on Aug. 13 wasn’t enough to hold down the Smokies, with a four-run seventh inning vaulting Knoxville to a 6-1 win at Covenant Health Park.

Snead allowed five hits and struck out three batters across five scoreless frames for the visiting Rocket City Trash Pandas before Knoxville rallied late for the second night in a row to take the series lead.

A bases-clearing double by catcher Miguel Useche gave Knoxville a multi-run lead in the seventh inning, and the Smokies didn't look back.

"Any time you can put a crooked number up the board it goes a long way," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News. "When you put crooked numbers up, definitely with our pitching staff, it's hard to come back from."

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Smokies starter Brody McCullough, who retired the first 10 batters of the game, gave up one run and struck out eight batters without surrendering a walk across five innings.

Chicago Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia followed with his second rehab appearance of the week, rebounding with a perfect 10-pitch frame including eight strikes. After giving up four baserunners in his Aug. 11 appearance, Palencia didn’t allow a hit or a walk in the sixth.

Knoxville had 12 hits in the game and scored all six runs in the seventh inning or later.

"I thought we did a good job causing havoc a little bit on the bases," Rymel said. "That's something we pride ourselves on here in Knoxville. They all count."

Player of the game, top moments: Thursday, Aug. 13

Player of the game: Nate Snead only recorded two starts for the Vols in his two seasons, but his return to Knoxville was the most productive yet. Snead mowed through the Smokies lineup for five innings, surrendering five total baserunners in his no-decision. "I'm really happy about the stamp I left on this place," Snead told Knox News. "It's definitely really, really cool to see all the orange and be able to wear my Tennessee cleats out there again."

In a pickle: Nate Snead caught Karson Simas in a pickle to end the fifth inning. The successful pickoff attempt was the final play of Snead's night.

Load 'em up and clear 'em: Knoxville loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning following a Kane Kepley walk. Right fielder Alex Ramirez legged out an infield single to tie the game at 1, and the Smokies took the lead with Useche's three-run double.

Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park

The Smokies went ahead the series 2-1 with another late surge. Here are the remaining promotions at Covenant Health Park with the Trash Pandas in town:

7 p.m. Aug. 14 : Chick-fil-A Friday (two tickets and two coupons for $48), Feel-Good Friday

7 p.m. Aug. 15:  Tennessee Night (themed University of Tennessee-style jerseys), Tennessee Night Bobblehead Giveaway (first 1,000 fans receive DeSean Bishop bobblehead), Summer Fireworks Series

2 p.m. Aug. 16:  Crayola Day (specialty jerseys), Color Your Own Lunch Box Giveaway (first 1,000 kids receive color your own lunch box)

Smokies record in Southern League North

The Smokies have  already clinched a playoff spot  by capturing the first-half title and are in first place in the Southern League North.

Southern League North standings

Knoxville Smokies (22-20 second half, 60-51 overall)

Rocket City Trash Pandas (22-20 second half, 57-53 overall)

Birmingham Barons (18-23 second half, 44-66 overall)

Chattanooga Lookouts (14-27 second half, 51-59 overall)

Southern League South standings

Pensacola Blue Wahoos (25-16 second half, 61-49 overall)

Columbus Clingstones (22-18 second half, 51-54 overall)

Montgomery Biscuits (22-19 second half, 57-53 overall)

Biloxi Shuckers (20-21 second half, 55-51 overall)

**  Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. Aug. 13 .

Trevor McGee  covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email:  [email protected] ;  X: @TrevorMcGee12

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies rally past five shutout innings from former Vols pitcher

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