KODAK, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies scored four runs in the bottom of eighth to break a 1-1 tie and defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts 5-1 at Smokies Park Monday night.
After sweeping the Jacksonville Suns in five games, the Lookouts have dropped two consecutive games to the third place Smokies.
Inning by innng Recap of the game.
Chattanooga got on the scoreboard in the first inning off Tennessee starter Nick Struck. Rafael Ynoa doubled to lead off the game and scored two batters later on a J.T. Wise single to give the Lookouts a 1-0 lead.
The Smokies tied the game at one in the third, when Struck led off the frame with a double off Lookouts starter Aaron Miller. With two outs, Jae-Hoon Ha hit an infield single and a wild throw by shortstop Ynoa allowed Struck to score and knot the game, 1-1.
Both pitching staffs exchanged scoreless innings until the Smokies sent nine batters to the plate in the eighth inning. With Eric Eadington (1-2) on the mound, Logan Watkins led off with a bunt single. Back-to-back walks to Ha and Justin Bour loaded the bases for Junior Lake who hit a single up the middle, with the infield drawn in, to score Watkins and Ha to give the Smokies a 3-1 lead. Following a single by Rubi Silva, Mike Brenly hit a double to left field to plate two more runs and extend the Smokies lead to 5-1.
Struck worked six innings, only giving up a run on six hits and fanned three, giving the Smokies a quality start but did not factor in the decision. For the second consecutive night, the Smokies bullpen secured the win for Tennessee. Trey McNutt tossed a hitless seventh innings and Brian Schlitter (3-4) went the final two, striking out three to pick up the win for the Smokies.
Box Score
The Smokies and Lookouts play the middle contest of their five-game series on Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m. when Tennessee sends southpaw Eric Jokisch (7-2, 3.07 ERA) to the mound against right-hander Allen Webster (6-8, 3.66 ERA) at Smokies Park.