Suns' starting pitcher Jon Link picked up the win in Game Two.
photo by Tim Evearitt
The Jacksonville Suns (5-1) continued to shine bright against the Chattanooga Lookouts (3-4) and take a two game lead in the Southern League Championship Series with a 12-3 win at AT&T Field.
Chattanooga pitchers picked the wrong time to and place to have control problems. After walking 10 men in Game One, Lookout hurlers again walked 10 hitters in Thursday's game.
Meanwhile, Lookouts' batters, who fanned 15 times Wednesday, struck out 12 times Thursday.
Steve Smith had a strong start to the game, not only on the mound, but also at the dish.
Corey Seager led off the second inning with a walk. A two-out double off the bat of Noel Cuevas put Seager on third base with Smith coming to the plate. Smith was able to put some wood on the ball and looped a single over the first baseman to give himself a two-run lead.
The Suns came back with a fury, however, scoring eight runs in between the fourth and sixth innings. Their fine performance was highlighted by Austin Barnes and Viosergy Rosa who each belted two-run home runs in the sixth inning. They also added another four runs in the final frame for a total of 12.
The Suns' pitching and defense continued to light the way for most of the game, but Chris O'Brien had something to say about that. Down by ten runs in the bottom of the ninth, O'Brien smashed a solo home run to right-center field, his third of the postseason.
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The Lookouts chances to change the tide of the series is not good when it shifts to Jacksonville on Friday night. Jeremy Kehrt will be the Lookouts' starter in the Sunshine State and he'll face left-hander Justin Nicolino of the Suns. Nicolino was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Year.
Read Guy Curtright's game story at http://atmilb.com/1sxHD4e
Catcher Chris O'Brien went 2-for-4, including a ninth inning solo home run.
photo by Tim Evearitt