The Smokies entered the week looking to break out of a second-half swoon that has left them below .500 and looking up in the North Division standings.  
After dropping the first three games of the week, they finally began to show signs of life, taking three in a row and picking up a series win against Carolina.
Monday’s series finale in Mississippi was decided in seven innings, with the Braves coming out on top by a 4-1 margin.  After taking a brief 1-0 lead, the Smokies surrendered four runs in the second inning, and the offense was unable to manage a run over the game’s final five frames.
Carolina came to Smokies Park Wednesday still boasting the league’s worst overall record, giving the Smokies a great opportunity to get back on track.  However, the Mudcats jumped out to a six-run lead in the series opener, and despite a Smokies rally that saw three runs come across in the seventh, prevailed 7-4.  New addition Ty Wright went 3-for-3 with a double for the Smokies.
The Smokies’ staff struggled again on Thursday, surrendering 11 runs in the first six innings.  Josh Vitters ripped a three-run homer and Matt Spencer and Nate Samson came through with RBI doubles in the fifth, but the Smokies couldn’t overcome a double-digit deficit in the 11-6 loss.
It took extras to get the Smokies their first win of the week Friday, as they came out on top 6-5 in ten innings.  The offense rallied from a three-run deficit in the late innings, and after Matt Camp reached on a bunt single in the bottom of the tenth, Wright brought him home with a game-winning RBI double.
Rebel Ridling and the pitching staff carried the Smokies in Saturday’s 6-2 win.  Ridling keyed a four-run sixth inning with a two-run double, then provided some insurance with a solo shot in the eighth.  Trey McNutt allowed one run in five innings of work, and the bullpen was strong in holding the Mudcats to one run over the final four frames.
The Smokies wasted no time in taking a commanding lead in the series rubber match Sunday, putting up eight runs in the first four innings en route to an 8-3 win.  The offense racked up 15 hits, and Blake Lalli, Steve Clevenger, and Vitters drove in two runs apiece in the win.
Montgomery will host the Smokies four a five-game set before they return to Smokies Park to take on the Birmingham Barons for five games starting this Sunday.  For tickets or more information, call (865) 286-2300, or visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.