Smokies lose to Barons, tying series with five games left over four days

Brody Rawler May 08, 2026

The Smokies lost momentum with a rainout between games, losing 4-1 to the Birmingham Barons on May 7 at Covenant Health Park.

Owen Ayers contributed the only run for the Smokies with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning in the second game of the series.

An RBI triple from Jacob Burke in the top of the third inning scored the first run for the Barons. The second Birmingham run scored on a Smokies throwing error by shortstop Jefferson Rojas in the top of the sixth.

A bunt loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning for Birmingham, and the Barons scored their third run a sacrifice fly from Jordan Sprinkle that allowed Jason Matthews to cross the plate. Burke added a single in the inning that pushed Jorge Corona home for the Barons’ fourth and final run.

The Smokies and Barons are now even in the series with one win apiece. Five more games will be played at Covenant Health Park over the next four days, with a pair of seven-inning games scheduled for Friday, May 8 to make up Wednesday night’s rainout.

With Chattanooga still leading the Southern League North, the Barons win gives all of the other teams in the division the same 14-15 record.

Smokies standout player of the game

Smokies catcher Owen Ayers (6) celebrates hitting a solo home run during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee., on May 7, 2026.

First baseman Owen Ayers earns the honors for the Smokies, contributing Knoxville’s lone run with a second-inning homer.

Knoxville Smokies record in Southern League North

The Smokies are now 14-15, sitting in second place in the Southern League North. The Chattanooga Lookouts lead the division, four games ahead of the Smokies.

First-half standings (as of 9:30 p.m. May 7):

Chattanooga Lookouts (19-10)
Birmingham Barons (14-15)
Knoxville Smokies (14-15)
Rocket City Trash Pandas (14-15)

Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park

The Smokies have five games left in the home series, which wraps up Sunday, May 10. Here are the deals and promotions fans can look forward to all week long (all games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted):

Thursday, May 7: Thirsty Thursday (half-price draft beer), Knox Vegas, College Night ($10 for college students with ID)
Friday, May 8 (doubleheader starts at 5 p.m.): Camo Replica Jersey (first 2,000 fans get free camo replica jersey), Chick-fil-A Friday (ticket-coupon combo)
Saturday, May 9: Big League Chew T-shirt Giveaway (first 1,000 fans get free shirt), Summer Firework Series
2 p.m. Sunday, May 10: Clear Purse Giveaway (first 500 women get clear purse), Mother's Day