Lookouts right fielder Blake Smith hit a two-run homer and had an important assist to lead Chattanooga to a closely contested 3-2 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Monday night action at AT&T Field.
After cruising through the first five outs of his outing, Pensacola starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran (5-5) suddenly lost the ability to control his pitches. Jake Lemmerman, Griff Erickson, and Chris Reed each walked before Sulbaran threw a wild pitch that allowed Lemmerman to score. Sulbaran, however, was able to settle down and strike out Rafael Ynoa to end the inning.
Lookouts nemesis Beau Mills singled in the fourth and tied the game up by hustling home on a Brian Peacock double.
The game remained tied entering the bottom of the fifth, but a Blake Smith two-run shot over the right-center field wall gave the Lookouts a 3-1 edge.
Pensacola made a serious attempt to usurp the Lookouts’ lead in the seventh. With two outs and the bases loaded, Didi Gregorious ripped a single to right field. Josh Fellhauer easily scored from third, but Smith threw a bullet home and Erickson held onto the ball to tag out Stephen Hunt for the final out of the inning.
Despite giving up a leadoff single, Steven Ames preserved the Lookouts’ lead in the ninth, earning his fifth save of the season.
Wes Roemer (1-1), who took the ball in the third inning for the Lookouts and pitched three innings in relief, was credited with the win.
Inning by inning Recap of the game.
Box Score
The Lookouts will hit the road Tuesday to play a five-game series against the Mississippi Braves but return home on Sunday to play a rare three-game homestand against the Tennessee Smokies.
Tickets for these games 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.