A brief rain delay didn’t dampen the spirits of the Tennessee Smokies Monday night.

The Smokies accumulated 12 hits, and the bullpen provided six innings of solid relief as Tennessee knocked off Birmingham 8-1 to stay atop the North Division with a 31-25 record.

With 12 games remaining in the first half of the season, the Smokies remain in a tight race with the Huntsville Stars for the first half Championship.

The first half champion, along with the champion of the second half from both the North and South Divisions, earn berths in the postseason Southern League playoffs to play for a league championship.

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