What Monday night's match-up between Carolina and Chattanooga lacked in celerity, it made up for in excitement and offensive output. Both teams combined for 26 hits in a 7-6 finish, which concluded with the Mudcats on top at AT&T Field.
Chattanooga efficiently entered the scoreboard in the first on a two-run shot from Ramon Nivar over the left field wall.
The Mudcats countered in the second with two runs. With two outs already on the board, Zack Cozart double to right and found his way home on a subsequent Jose Castro single. Brian Peterson followed with a double to right to plate Castro.
Nivar kept his scorching bat going with an RBI double in the second to put the score at 4-2.
RBI doubles from Juan Francisco and Logan Parker in the third for the Mudcats tied up the score, 4-4.
The Lookouts momentarily took the lead in the fourth on a James Tomlin single, but Carolina plated three in the fifth, highlighted by a Michael Griffin solo shot and a two-RBI Brian Person single.
With the score 7-5, Chattanooga crept closer in the eighth with another run. Lambo began the rally with a single and advanced to third on a subsequent Russ Mitchell double. After two outs were recorded, relief pitcher Logan Ondrusek proceeded to throw a wild pitch to bring home Lambo.
Ondrusek, despite encountering some turbulence, was able to shut the door on the Lookouts in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
Steve Otterness (1-0) was credited with the win by throwing 2.1 innings of shutout baseball in relief.
Jesus Castillo (4-6) took the loss for the Lookouts. In four innings of work, he surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and one walk.
The Chattanooga Lookouts and Carolina Mudcats will continue their five-game series at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
Tickets for this game or any other Lookouts home game can be purchased at the Lookouts Box Office at AT&T Field, online at www.lookouts.com, or by calling 423 267-4849.