​The Knoxville Smokies haven’t lost a series since late May after splitting a six-game set with the Biloxi Shuckers at Covenant Health Park last week, despite efforts from a pair of former University of Tennessee standouts.Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer were key contributors in preventing the Smokies from taking a series win over Biloxi. Burke produced the game-winning runs July 11 and 12 with a sacrifice fly Saturday and a two-run home run Sunday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFischer added insurance both days with an RBI single and a solo home run, respectively.1 / 28Knoxville Smokies outfielder Alex Ramirez (13) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Biloxi Shuckers at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on July 7, 2026.(Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel)Back in town July 28-Aug. 2: Buy Smokies tickets!Burke finished the week 3-for-20 with two doubles and a home run, striking out eight times and walking five. Fischer went 5-for-21 with two doubles, a triple and a home run.”It was great,” Burke told Knox News. “The place filled out every day. Me and (Fischer) would come out here and feel the love from the fans. Being able to come out here and play was a lot of fun.”The MLB All-Star break gives Knoxville several days off before they return July 17 for a shortened three-game set in Montgomery against the Biscuits, the last club to hand the Smokies a series loss. Until then, Smokies manager Lance Rymel is looking forward to resting.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”Enjoy it, right?” Rymel told Knox News. “This is for the staff, too. … Everybody’s got their individual plan they can be working on − and just keep working on that and try to get to Chicago or help us win a Double-A Championship.”The playoff-bound Smokies, who clinched the Southern League North’s first-half title, enjoyed some promising developments during their home series against the Shuckers. Two bats recently called up from High-A, utility infielders Drew Bowser and Alex Madera, lifted the bottom of the order throughout the week and combined for four multi-hit games.Knoxville Smokies infielder Drew Bowser (12) hits the ball during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Biloxi Shuckers at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on July 7, 2026.Right-handed pitcher Brody McCullough made his first Double-A appearance since 2024 on July 12 after battling injuries for the past two seasons. McCullough allowed two hits in his four-inning start, giving up two runs on Burke’s third-inning homer.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMcCullough “definitely deserves a shoutout,” Rymel said, “for just the hard work that nobody sees behind the scenes.”The Smokies will be back at home July 28-Aug. 2 to face the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.CHICAGO CUBS (MLB): The Cubs head into the break with back-to-back series wins − and with former Smokies outfielder Pete Crow-