Justin Nicolino dominated the Lookouts in Game Three Friday.
photo by Tim Evearitt
The Jacksonville Suns completed a three-game sweep over the Chattanooga Lookouts Friday night to capture the 2014 Southern League Championship. The Suns beat the Lookouts, 6-1.
Chattanooga threatened in the first inning after Bobby Coyle, Jr.'s one-out double and and Daniel Mayora's single to right put runners at the corners with two outs. Lefty Justin Nicolino struck out Corey Seager to end the threat.
Jacksonville scored three runs in their half of the first inning off Lookouts' starter Jeremy Kehrt thanks to a three-run homer by Viosergy Rosa.
With one-out in the third, Kehrt was replaced by lefty Mike Thomas who went 1 2/3 innings without giving up a run.
Neither team scored after the first inning until the fifth when Onelki Garcia replaced Thomas and Austin Barnes doubled in Austin Nola with a run. Rosa singled plating Austin to make it 5-0. Garcia was replaced by Freddie Cabrera as manager Razor went to his bullpen freely since, without a win Friday, the season was over.
The game, which had been slipping away for the Lookouts, saw the Suns add a single run in the sixth inning.
At the same time, Nicolino held the Lookouts scoreless on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings until he was replaced by Reid Redman.
The Lookouts managed to break up the shutout in the ninth thanks to Chris O'Brien's third hit of the game (a double) and a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Hazelbaker.
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Chattanooga's season may have ended by being swept in the Championship round but the team can hold their heads high. The Lookouts went from worst-to-first in the SL North Division in what will likely be their final season as the Double-A affiliate of the Dodgers.
Read the game story on Minor League Baseball's website. http://atmilb.com/1xZJZxm
Chris O'Brien, who was 3-for-4 in the game, finished the playoffs with a .391 average.
photo by Tim Evearitt