For awhile Monday night it looked like de ja vu all over again reminiscent of Sunday afternoon as Mobile hit the Lookouts with a four-run first inning (thanks to four unearned runs). On "Most Improved Student Night" 4,022 kids and adults saw the Bay Bears bang out 18 hits to sink the Lookouts 9-3.
Going into Monday night's game one would expect a pitcher's duel since starting pitcher Bobby Basham (0-3) had an earned run average of 2.5 and his pitching opponent Roger Deago (3-0) an even better 2.11 ERA. Basham scattered 10 hits over 5.0 innings and was tagged with 6 runs - but only 2 runs were earned. Deago lasted 6.2 innings giving up 6 hits and three earned runs. Not exactly a pitcher's duel.
Ed Encarnacion committed the Lookouts 33rd error of the season to open the first inning scoring binge for the Bay Bears.
The Bay Bears got two solo home runs from their lead off hitter Todd Donovan.
Chattanooga got their first run in the sixth inning when Andrew Beattie tagged up and scored from third on Stephen Smitherman's sacrifice fly to deep center field.
The Lookouts got two more runs in the seventh on Ray Olmedo's second home run of the season - a blast over the left field wall scoring Ryan Owens.
Top Padres prospect shortstop Khalil Greene had a poor night at the plate going 1-for-6 and in the field he dropped a pop fly in the seventh inning for a two-base error. The error was his fourth of the year for the former Clemson star.
Newly signed left-handed pitcher Eric Cyr saw his first action in a Lookout uniform. Cyr took over for Basham in the sixth inning but gave up 6 hits, and 3 earned runs in two innings.
Casey DeHart pitched a scoreless eighth for Chattanooga and David Gil threw a scoreless ninth inning.
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Lookout fans must wonder why the top hitter on the team is not a regular in the lineup? Guye Senjem, who is hitting over .360 with a club-leading 13 RBI, was back on the bench Monday after going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI Sunday. Senjem was called on to pinch hit in the ninth inning and reached base on an infield single.
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Hitting Stats
Player - - at bats - runs - hits - RBI
Andrew Beattie 3 1 0 0
Ed Encarnacion 5 0 0 0
Dernell Stenson 4 0 2 0
Stephen Smitherman 2 0 0 1
Creighton Gubanich 4 0 0 0
Ryan Owens 4 1 1 3
Creighton Gubanich 4 0 0 0
Alejandro Diaz 4 0 2 0
Ray Olmedo 4 1 2 2
Bobby Basham 1 0 0 0
- Brian Anderson, ph 1 0 0 0
- Eric Cyr, p 0 0 0 0
- Chris Haas, ph 1 0 0 0
- Casey DeHart, p 0 0 0 0
- David Gil, p 0 0 0 0
- Guye Senjem, ph 1 0 1 0
Lookout Pitching
Pitcher - innings - hits - runs - earned runs - walks - strike outs
Bobby Basham 5.0 10 6 2 1 2
Eric Cyr 2.0 6 3 3 0 0
Casey DeHart 1.0 1 0 0 2 1
David Gil 1.0 1 0 0 0 0
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The Lookouts close their current home stand Tuesday night against Mobile at 7:15. Lefty John Koronka (1-2; 3.60) will face Mobile's Steve Watkins (1-1; 3.12).
Lookout players take time to sign autographs for "Most Improved" students as they pass the dugout. Click to enlarge photo.
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt