The Tennessee Smokies got a boost from a Chicago Cub on a rehab assignment as their winning streak extended to five games.
Cubs' catcher Wellington Castillo drove in three of Tennessee's four runs in a 4-3 victory over the Mississippi Braves in his first start with the Smokies.
Castillo singled in Logan Watkins in the first inning and homered with Watkins aboard in the third.
Here is more on the game from the Tennessee Smokies:
Welington Castillo's two-run home run in the third inning propelled the Tennessee Smokies to a 4-3 win over the Mississippi Braves (26-36) Friday night in front of 5,332 at Smokies Park. With the win the Smokies increased their winning streak to five games and improved their overall record to 29-33.
Castillo gave the Smokies an early lead in the opening frame off Braves starter Gary Moran (1-5). Watkins led off with a single and stole second. Castillo then lined a single off the left-field wall, to score Watkins and give the Smokies a 1-0 lead.
Tennessee took advantage of a fielding error by Mississippi's second basemen Phil Gosselin that allowed Junior Lake to reach. Following a single by Jim Adduci, Matt Cerda singled scoring Lake from second to extend the Smokies advantage, 2-0.
Watkins led off the third with a single then stole second. Two batters later, Castillo scorched a ball over the wall in right-center to extend the Smokies lead to 4-0
After allowing one hit through his first four innings, Smokies starter Nick Struck was touched for three runs in the fifth, to narrow the gap to 4-3.
Struck (6-6) lasted six innings allowing three runs on seven hits while fanning three, before giving way to Marcus Hatley.
For the second straight night Tennessee's bullpen pitched hitless baseball as Hatley threw two scoreless innings, striking out three. Kevin Rhoderick (S, 7) walked the bases loaded in the ninth, but induced a fly ball out to left to earn save and extend his scoreless streak to 13 consecutive outings (18.1 innings).
The Smokies and Braves will face off in Game 3 of their five-game set on Saturday night at 6:15 at Smokies Park. RHP Dallas Beeler (1-5, 4.15) will start for the Smokies against southpaw Luis Avilan (1-4, 3.13). The first 2,500 fans that enter the park will receive a free Smokies cap, sponsored by Hardee's, Holiday Inn and Express Sevierville/Kodak and the Knoxville News Sentinel. For tickets or more information call (865) 286-2300 or visit www.smokiesbaseball.com