Latest news with #KnoxvilleSmokies
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minor League Wrap: Pedro Ramirez walks it off; Alexey Lumpuy hits for the cycle
Right-hander Thomas Mangus, the Cubs' 18th-round pick last year, was promoted to Low-A Myrtle Beach from Mesa. Right-hander Eli Morgan started another rehab assignment with the ACL Cubs. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were banished from paradise by the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 2-1. Chris Kachmar was the victim of non-support as he took the loss after allowing just two runs on three hits over five innings. One hit was a solo home run by Edouard Julien. Kachmar struck out five, walked one and hit one batter. Iowa's only run came on a home run by left fielder Owen Caissie, his 19th on the year. That ties him with teammate Carlos Pérez for second in the International League this year. Caissie went 1 for 4. First baseman Jonathon Long was 2 for 4 with a double. Yes, Caissie has been on a tear lately. Knoxville Smokies The Knoxville Smokies burnt the Montgomery Biscuits, 4-3 on a walk-off home run by Pedro Ramirez. Tyler Schlaffer turned in a strong start, giving up just one run on five hits over five innings. Schlaffer walked two, hit one batter and struck out four. AJ Puckett pitched the top of the ninth and got the win when Ramirez walked it off. Puckett allowed a one-out single, but no other baserunners. He did not have a strikeout. Ramirez's home run came with one out and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth. It was Ramirez's seventh home run this year. He was 1 for 5 tonight. BJ Murray Jr. was 1 for 2 and opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning. He also walked once and was hit by a pitch. Murray scored one run. DH Ethan Hearn went 2 for 3 with an RBI double in the bottom of the first. Hearn also walked once. Ramirez's walk off blast went a long way. I wish they had Statcast in Double-A. Hearn's double. South Bend Cubs The South Bend Cubs skinned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 12-3. Brandon Birdsell was strong again in a rehab assignment, getting the win after giving up two runs on four hits over five innings. Birdsell's only real mistake was a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Birdsell walked two and struck out three. Third baseman Drew Bowser hit his second home run of the year with the bases empty in the sixth inning. Bowser went 2 for 5 and scored twice. Shortstop Jefferson Rojas clubbed a solo home run in the seventh inning, his ninth. Rojas went 2 for 6. He scored twice and drove in two runs. DH Cameron Sisneros hit the third South Bend home run of the game in the ninth inning with a man on. Sisneros has six home runs this year and three with South Bend. He went 2 for 5. Second baseman Cristian Hernandez was 4 for 5 with a two-run double in the fifth and two steals. He scored once. Catcher Miguel Pabon went 2 for 4 with a walk. He had two RBI and scored one run. Center fielder Rafael Morel was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Hernandez's two-run double. Bowser's blast. Rojas stuck his home run just inside the foul pole. The Sisneros home run went off the scoreboard. Myrtle Beach Pelicans The Myrtle Beach Pelicans doused the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox), 7-3. Yenrri Rojas started and got the win. Rojas surrendered two runs on just three hits over five innings. Rojas walked three and struck out five. Thomas Mangus gave up a run on three walks and no hits in one inning in his Pelicans debut. He did not strike anyone out. Right fielder Alex Lumpuy became the first Pelican in 1999 to hit for the cycle. He even did it in descending order of difficulty—triple, home run, double, single. The home run came in the third inning with the bases empty. Lumpuy was 4 for 4 with two steals, four runs scored and two RBI. Second baseman Christian Olivo hit a two-run double in the fourth inning. He was 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. Here are all four Lumpuy hits. Olivo's double. ACL Cubs Losing to the Rockies, 6-1 in the sixth. More from Cubs roster move: Porter Hodge to injured list, Ethan Roberts recalled Twins 8, Cubs 1: Flush this one and move on The Short Porch is looking at Pete Crow-Armstrong's defense Cubs vs. Twins Wednesday 7/9 game threads Chicago Cubs vs. Minnesota Twins preview, Wednesday 7/9, 6:40 CT 2025 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 91 Cub Tracks' off-Target again
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Powell catcher Poteet has clear path to Smokies after being picked by Cubs
A familiar name to East Tennessee baseball fans was selected by the Chicago Cubs − the parent organization of the Double-A Knoxville Smokies − in the 17th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft on July 14. Logan Poteet, picked 511th overall by the Cubs on Day 2 of the draft, has a clear path to an East Tennessee homecoming in a Smokies uniform. Advertisement Poteet was recruited out of Powell High School as the No. 2 catcher in the state, helping the Panthers reach a state final in 2022 for the first time in 41 years. The promising catcher committed to Vanderbilt University, one of college baseball's most prestigious programs known for developing major league talent, but had limited playing time. He later transferred to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he continued to develop his skills. Powell High School's Logan Poteet is greeted by teammates after hitting a two-run homer against Farragut High School in the Region 2-4A high school baseball championship in Knoxville on May 18, 2022. The Chicago Cubs selected Poteet in the 17th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft. Chicago's selection of Poteet in the later rounds of the draft highlights the depth of talent recognized by the Cubs. For Poteet, it represents the culmination of years of dedication and the next step toward the majors. Advertisement Though the path for from a late-round pick to the Double-A level can be challenging, the prospect of Poteet returning to Knoxville in a Smokies uniform should excite local baseball fans. Follow our Smokies coverage at for updates on the Cubs' minor-league system and stories about the prospects who call Covenant Health Park home in downtown Knoxville. Knox News reporter Gabriel Jackson covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC. Email: This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies' parent Cubs pick Powell native Logan Poteet in MLB Draft
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chase Burns pitches shutout in return to Knoxville
Chattanooga (27-24) defeated Knoxville (25-29), 3-0 in seven innings, Saturday in the fourth contest of a six-game series at Covenant Health Park. Saturday's contest between the Lookouts and Smokies was part of a doubleheader. Former Vol Chase Burns (6-1) started for the Lookouts in his return to Knoxville. He pitched a complete game (seven innings) and recorded six strikeouts. Burns totaled 80 pitches, including 60 strikes, against 24 batters. Advertisement He allowed three hits, zero runs and zero walks. Burns played for the Vols from 2022-23 before transferring to Wake Forest in 2024. He was selected No. 2 overall in the first round of the 2024 MLB draft by Cincinnati. Chattanooga is a Double-A affiliate for the Reds. Burns (13-5) appeared in 35 games, including 22 starts, at Tennessee. He recorded a 3.54 ERA, 217 strikeouts and two saves in 152.1 innings. Tennessee (57-9) won the SEC regular season and tournament championships in 2022. The Vols (44-22) advanced to the College World Series in 2023. Chase Burns Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Former Tennessee pitcher Chase Burns earns win in return to Knoxville
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Knox County lessons about a trustworthy trustee
Several Knox County trustees have run into ethical difficulties over the last 25 years. (Photo of Old Knox County Courthouse: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) At a recent Knoxville Smokies baseball game, I had a brief but nice chat with Ed Shouse, former Knoxville City Council member, former Knox County Commissioner, and former Knox County Trustee. I congratulated him on being one of the few recent trustees not facing scandal. He chuckled, shook his head, and said, 'You've just got to remember it's not your money.' It is sage advice for anyone doing public service, especially in the trustee office, established in Knox County's charter for collecting property taxes, disbursing and accounting for county funds and investing money quickly and wisely to earn interest and profits for the county. We in Knox County like electing all sorts of administrative offices — register of deeds, county clerk, property assessor, even court clerks — but have experienced angst regarding a lot of recent trustees. A Knox News article noted that when current trustee Justin Biggs was elected in 2022, he hired several friends and gave them raises ranging from 30% to 71% — effectively expanding the office payroll from Shouse's time, 2014 to 2022, by nearly $400,000. Knox News also recently revealed how Biggs and his staff ride and travel in style, racking up travel expenses that well exceeded the county rate. In 2023 Biggs leased six new Ford Silverado 1500 pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive for which the county paid $397,968, about $200,000 more than what taxpayers pay for vehicles used by other county offices. GPS data, according to Knox News, shows trustee staff using county vehicles for personal use. Biggs says he has reimbursed the county $3,500 for excess expenses, though it is not clear if that is the total owed for all involved. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasurer is investigating. Any follow up to that investigation will be handled by Blount County's District Attorney. Biggs, anticipating tough questions from Knox County commissioners, skipped an appearance before the finance committee, instead sending an office legal assistant. He nevertheless is seeking re-election to his $164,904 a year job. Most of the Republican establishment has been keeping some distance from his campaign; many likely prefer his primary opponent, Register of Deeds Nick McBride. Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe has called on Biggs to resign. Trustee shenanigans also likely affected our congressional delegation. From 2010 to 2013 our trustee was John Duncan, III, son and grandson of longtime congressmen John and Jimmy Duncan from Knox County. Most political wags thought the trustee gig was a stepping-stone to a third-generation run for Congress. Duncan, III, however, got in trouble by awarding bonuses for certification and training programs for himself and others on his staff; many of the courses had not actually been taken. Duncan, III resigned the day he pleaded guilty to felony misconduct in 2013; he received probation with an option for diversion. In 2014, a judge dismissed his case after he completed the diversion terms. The biggest trustee scandal was that surrounding Mike Lowe, serving as trustee from 1994 to 2007. Lowe pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft related to 'ghost employees' — associates on the payroll who didn't work. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the scheme robbed county taxpayers of more than $750,000; the TBI also said these associates kicked back some of the money to Lowe. The former trustee, years after leaving office, also admitted to funneling title work to an associate who would overcharge the county, and give Lowe a cut of that, too. Lowe was sentenced to ten years in prison, but was behind bars for roughly seven months before the rest of his sentence was changed to supervised probation. Shouse ended 34 years of public service on Aug. 31, 2022. His eight years of integrity as trustee mirrored similar upstanding behavior in other public offices. When selecting a trustee or other position of trust, one good guide is to look for trustworthy behavior and proven integrity, someone who knows it's not his money, to use Shouse's words. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minor League Wrap: Smokies sweep a doubleheader in Chattanooga
The Cubs have signed right-hander Tommy Romero to a minor league deal. Romero had been pitching for Guerreros de Oaxaca in the Mexican League this year. He pitched four games in the majors for the Rays and Nationals in 2022. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs roasted the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 3-1. Advertisement Three Iowa pitchers combined on a two-hitter. Peter Solomon pitched the first four innings and surrendered just one unearned run on two hits. Solomon struck out four and walked no one. Keegan Thompson didn't allow a run or a hit over the next three innings and got the win. Thompson did struggle with control. Although he only walked one batter, he hit three of them. Or maybe his control was good and he hit those people intentionally. Thompson struck out four. Riley Martin retired all six batters he faced in the final two frames and collected the save. Martin struck out three. DH Reese McGuire gave the I-Cubs the lead with a two-run home run in the seventh inning. McGuire was 1 for 3 with a walk. Advertisement Second baseman James Triantos went 3 for 4 with a double. He scored on McGuire's home run. Center fielder Christian Franklin was 3 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. Knoxville Smokies The Knoxville Smokies swept a doubleheader from the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 9-2 and 5-1. The doubleheader swept moved the Smokies past the Lookouts and into first place. Grant Kipp started game one and gave up one run on three hits. He walked four and struck out six. Robert Kwiatkowski relieved Kipp and was awarded the win since Kipp didn't go five innings. He allowed one hit but no runs. Kwiatkowski struck out two and walked no one. Advertisement The Smokies exploded for seven runs in the second inning to win this one going away. Center fielder Brett Bateman opened the scoring with a two-run double. Bateman was 3 for 4 with the double and a walk. He had three overall runs batted in and scored once. Later in the second inning, second baseman Corey Joyce hit his first home run in the Cubs organization with two men on. Joyce went 1 for 3 with a walk. Left fielder Jordan Nwogu was 2 for 4 with two steals. He scored one run. Will Sanders started game two and collected the win after going five innings and allowing no runs and two hits. He struck out seven. Advertisement Right fielder Darius Hill added some insurance with a two-run home run in the top of the seventh. Hill was 1 for 4. Center fielder Parker Chavers was 2 for 3 and scored once. Second baseman Pedro Ramirez made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Ramirez went 2 for 3. He scored one time and had that one RBI. South Bend Cubs The South Bend Cubs were caught hiberating against the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (10-3). Kenten Egbert got rocked for five runs in the first inning, four of which came on a grand slam by Braedon Karpathios. he stayed in the game and gave up three more runs before he was finished. The final line on Egbert was eight runs, seven earned, on six hits over 4+ innings. Egbert struck out six, walked two and hit one batter. Advertisement Shortstop Jefferson Rojas homered with the bases empty in the sixth inning. He left the yard again in the eighth inning to account for all three of South Bend's runs. Rojas went 3 for 4. He now has four home runs this season. Home run number one for Rojas. And number two. Myrtle Beach Pelicans The Myrtle Beach Pelicans took out the Delmarva Shorebirds (Orioles), 11-0. Alfredo Romero started this bullpen game and pitched 2.1 innings, allowing four hits and walking two. He struck out one. Cole Reynolds was awarded the win as the most effective pitcher since Romero didn't go five innings. Reynolds pitched two innings and gave up just one hit. Reynolds walked one and struck out four. Advertisement Yoendris Gonzalez pitched 1.2 innings, Charlie Hurley pitched 2.1 and Luis Martinez-Gomez pitched two-thirds of an inning as five pitchers combined on the shutout. DH Cole Mathis went 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He drove in two runs. Third baseman Eriandys Ramon was a perfect 2 for 2 with a double and two walks. Ramon scored twice and had one RBI. First baseman Cameron Sisneros was 2 for 4 with a sacrifice fly and three runs batted in total. Left fielder Jose Escobar went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Escobar scored three runs and drove home two. It's been a rough start to second baseman Ty Southisene's Low-A career, as he went 0 for 11 before he hit an RBI single in the second inning. Southisene was 1 for 4 with a walk. He scored three times. Advertisement Here is Southisene's single. The double by Ramon. A double by Cole Mathis. ACL Cubs Off day. More from
