Steve Smith
photo by Tim Evearitt
A strong pitching performance by Steve Smith (2-0, 2.77) lead the Chattanooga Lookouts (52-70) over the Jacksonville Suns (67-57) by a score of 5-1 with over 4,000 fans in attendance on a Fireworks Friday and Arts Night at AT&T Field. The Lookouts beat lefty Justin Nicolino one of the Florida Marlins top prospects.
Current Standings
In his last start Smith threw a complete game shutout in seven innings, but tonight's start might have been more impressive. In the first inning Smith allowed a double to Brent Keys with one out followed by a RBI single by J.T. Realmuto. After an error and a walk, the right-hander retired the next nine batters he faced. He finished the day only allowing five hits and striking out six in a season-high eight innings.
Trailing by one run the Lookouts bounced back from the early deficit right away with a double by Angel Sanchez and a RBI triple by Noel Cuevas. Cuevas came home to score on the next play when Daniel Mayora grounded out to second base.
Chattanooga added another run in the bottom of the second when Alberto Rosario doubled home Alex Liddi, who led off the inning with a single. Jacksonville Suns' starting pitcher Justin Nicolino buckled down once he gave up his third run of the day and did not allow another run until the sixth inning.
Daniel Mayora led off that inning with a single and O'Koyea Dickson brought him to third with a double. The next batter, Corey Seager, dinked a fly ball to Joe Benson to plate Mayora on the sacrifice fly. Chattanooga added their fifth and final run of the game on a Sanchez RBI single.
Box
The win keeps the Lookouts within one game of the Tennessee Smokies for the division lead. Saturday, Chattanooga aims to take the fifth and final game of the series when Jeremy Kehrt takes the mound for his first start in a Lookouts' uniform.