The Knoxville Smokies struggled to put together runs July 30, losing 5-1 loss to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos with three games left in the series at Covenant Health Park.
Knoxville tallied six hits and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. First baseman Edgar Alvarez missed an eighth-inning opportunity to do some damage, striking out with the bases loaded.
Smokies manager Lance Rymel was ejected in the ninth inning after field umpires changed a Blue Wahoos double to a home run, putting Knoxville behind by four runs.
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Pensacola left fielder Brandon Compton blasted a solo homer to the Modelo Watering Hole in right field to break a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. That was the only blemish for Knoxville starter Brody
McCullough's, who gave up two hits through five innings while striking out five batters and walking one.
The Blue Wahoos struck for two more runs in the sixth inning, courtesy of a Knoxville error and an RBI double, to take a 3-0 lead. Knoxville stranded two baserunners in the following frame, and Pensacola followed with added run support to widen the margin to four runs late in the game.
Jefferson Rojas accounted for Knoxville's only run of the night, scoring from second base on a passed ball in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Smokies player of the game, top moments: Thursday, July 30
Player of the game: Brody McCullough lowered his season ERA to 1.98 after five innings of one-run baseball. McCullough, who returned from injury in late June, has allowed just one run per outing across his three Double-A starts.
- First professional appearances: The Chicago Cubs signed undrafted free agent catcher Colin Hynek on July 27 and immediately sent him to Double-A. Thursday's contest the first appearance for Hynek, who’s batted seventh as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4. "I was in South Bend for all of about 20 hours, then just got a call and said, 'Hey, you're going to go to Knoxville instead," Hynek said. "It was a little unexpected, but there's worse things to do, right? It's a lot of fun to be here in Knoxville." Reliever Grayson Moore, called up from High-A on July 28, debuted by allowing a solo home run to the first batter he faced.
- More ejections in the tank: Rymel has now been ejected three times in the last four homestands, including June 17 against Chattanooga and July 5 against Columbus.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
The Smokies are back behind 2-1 in the series against the Blue Wahoos with three games to play at Covenant Health Park. Here are the remaining promotions with Pensacola in town.
- 7 p.m. July 31: Paint the Park Pink (specialty jerseys), Summer Fireworks Series, Chick-fil-A Friday (two tickets and two coupons for $48), Feel-Good Friday, Fill-a-Ford 4Students (Each person who brings donated school supplies receives two complimentary vouchers for 2027 Smokies tickets.)
- 7 p.m. Aug. 1: Knoxville Giants (specialty jerseys), Summer Fireworks Series
- 2 p.m. Aug. 2: No promotions scheduled
Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and continue to lead the Southern League North in the second half.
- Knoxville Smokies (15-15 second half, 53-46 overall)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (14-16 second half, 49-49 overall)
- Birmingham Barons (12-17 second half, 38-60 overall)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (11-18 second half, 48-50 overall)
Southern League South standings
- Biloxi Shuckers (17-12 second half, 52-42 overall)
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (17-12 second half, 53-44 overall)
- Montgomery Biscuits (15-13 second half, 50-47 overall)
- Columbus Clingstones (16-14 second half, 45-49 overall)
Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. July 30.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: trevor.mcgee@knoxnews.com; X: @TrevorMcGee12
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies manager ejected, offense sputters in Game 3 loss to Blue Wahoos
