Game Preview: 8-24 v. Mobile

Losers of two straight, the Tennessee Smokies (36-24, 70-59) look to get back to their winning ways in Game 2 of their series against the Mobile BayBears (34-27, 73-57). First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 PM from Smokies Park.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: The Smokies loss didn’t hurt them last night as both Birmingham and Jackson lost as well.  The Smokies magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to two while the magic number to win the division is at three.

TONIGHT’S STARTERS:

Mobile: Bradin Hagens (10-8, 3.57): Hagens has hit a bit of a rough stint losing four of his last five decisions.  His last start was a loss against Jackson on August 19 allowing five runs in five innings.  In his lone start against the Smokies, Hagens received the win on June 7 pitching the first six innings while yielding just one run.

Tennessee: Dae-Eun Rhee (5-1, 3.49): Rhee threw seven innings on August 19 against Birmingham for his second consecutive win.  Since returning from the DL, Rhee is 4-1 with a 4.19 ERA.  Rhee has not favored well against the South Division though in 2013.  In three starts, Rhee is 0-1 with a 7.07 ERA in 14 innings.

LAST TIME OUT: Mobile scored three runs in the top of the 6th inning and it was enough to defeat the Smokies 3-2.  Tennessee scored both of their runs via the long ball courtesy of Javier Baez and Rubi Silva, but left the tying and winning runs on base in the 9th when John Andreoli lined out to center field.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Nick Evans: Evans went 2-for-4 in the game including a two-run double to put Mobile in front in the 6th inning.  He leads the BayBears with 79 RBIs.

Rossmel Perez: Not only did Perez play well behind the plate, he collected two hits from the eight spot in the lineup.  It was his first multi-hit game since July 30.

Rubi Silva: Silva homered and tripled in last night’s 3-2 loss.  The two extra-base hits tie him with teammate Arismendy Alcantara for second in the Southern League with 51.

Christian Villanueva: Villanueva had another tough night at the plate going 0-for-4.  He has 2 hits in his last 21 at bats.

KEY TO THE GAME: The scouting report on Bradin Hagens has been if you’re going to get him, get him early.  He has a 4.13 ERA in the 1st inning and a 5.32 ERA in the 3rd inning.

TUNE IN: The broadcast will be available in its entirety on smokiesbaseball.com as well as the Smokies mobile app, beginning at 6:00 ET with the Pilot & Oscar Mayer Pregame Show.