Lookouts Lose Third Straight Game To Smokies, 6-3.

Chattanooga - Tennessee Tie For First In Southern League North Division

  • Wednesday, June 3, 2015
  • Tim Evearitt
Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs top draft pick last year, went 3-for-4 in the Smokies' win
Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs top draft pick last year, went 3-for-4 in the Smokies' win
photo by Tim Evearitt

The Chattanooga Lookouts (29-22) scored three runs early, but could not overcome a five-run third inning by the Tennessee Smokies (30-23) and fell, 6-3, on Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Field.

With the win, the Smokies are just the second team in the Southern League to reach 30 victories, as they improve their record to 30-23 on the year. The loss drops Chattanooga to 29-22 on the season. Tennessee's three straight wins now put them into a tie for first place with the Lookouts in the Southern League North Division.

Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras ignited the Smokies offense, as the team's three and four hitters combined to pick up four hits and drive in all six runs.

Right-hander Ryan Williams (1-0), who was making his Double-A debut Wednesday, picked up the victory for the Smokies. Named the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Month for May, Williams surrendered just one hit outside of the second inning and struck out four.

Ryan Williams won his first game pitching at the Double-A level.

Chattanooga's starter Jose Berrios (7-3/3.25) was saddled with his third loss of the year. The Twins' top pitching prospect issued five runs on six hits, fanning seven while walking three. Berrios leads the Southern League with 77 strikeouts.

The Lookouts seemed poised to take their first game in the series when they jumped out to a three-run lead.  After falling behind early in the first two games of the series, Chattanooga got off on the right foot on Wednesday, by scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Adam Brett Walker walked to start the frame and Travis Harrison followed with a single to left. Max Kepler opened the scoring by ripping a double down the right field line. Walker came across to tally the game's first run and the Lookouts took a 1-0 lead.

Speedy Byron Buxton dropped a perfect bunt down the third base line.



After a strike out, Carlos Paulino tripled. The right-handed swinger poked a ground ball through the infield and into center. Both Harrison and Kepler scurried home to score and the Lookouts were out in front, 3-0.

That was all Chattanooga would scratch across on the afternoon, as Tennessee's pitching held steady and the bats woke up in the next half inning. Wes Darvill and Bryant Flete started the comeback with back-to-back singles and Bijan Rademacher followed with a walk to load the bases. 

Immediately after a fielder's choice erased Darvill trying to score, Schwarber got the Smokies on the board. The Cubs' first-round pick from a year ago roped a line drive into right field. Flete and Rademacher came home and Schwarber stopped at first with a two-run single, trimming the deficit to 3-2. 

The next batter, Contreras, wasted no time in putting the Smokies ahead for good. The Venezuelan backstop, with a 2-1 count, unloaded on a pitch and drove it to deep right field. Kepler tracked it back to the wall, but all he could do was watch it fly away. The three-run blast was Contreras' fifth long ball of the season and it put Tennessee ahead, 5-3.

The score remained that way until the seventh when the Smokies added the game's final run.  

Tennessee's bullpen thrived in relief. Southpaw Gerardo Concepcion entered to record the final two outs of the sixth, which paved the way for right-hander Corey Black. In his first appearance as a full-time reliever, Black dominated the Lookouts, retiring all six batters he faced.

Smokies closer P.J. Francescon came on in the ninth to pick up his team-leading seventh save of the year.

It was reported that following the game, Lookouts' manager Doug Mientkiewicz held a closed-door meeting with the team.

Box

 

Thursday the battle for first place continues as the two teams head to Knoxville to play the next two games of the series at Smokies Park.  The Lookouts return home June 17 at 7:15 p.m.

Right-hander Felix Pena (4-2, 3.57 ERA) is scheduled to make the start for the Smokies. Fellow right-hander Greg Peavey (4-1, 5.94 ERA) is projected to start for the Lookouts. 

Jose Berrios appeared to be on his way to his seventh win until he was rocked for five runs in the third.
Jose Berrios appeared to be on his way to his seventh win until he was rocked for five runs in the third.
photo by Tim Evearitt
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