Levi Michael's two run single tied the game, 2-2, in the sixth inning. The Lookouts added two more runs making it 4-2.
photo by Tim Evearitt
There will a Game 5 in the Southern League Championship Series. Lefthander David Hurlbut made the start for the Lookouts, as they came into the game down 2-1 in the series against the Biloxi Shuckers.
He made quick work of the first and second innings, pitching a one-two-three frame in the second, but the Shuckers got on the board first in the third, as a two-out rally was capped by an RBI single from Orlando Arcia to make it 1-0. A solo home run from Brett Phillips in the fourth made it 2-0.
Hurlbut didn’t allow any further damage, retiring the next seven batters he faced to finish six innings.
He allowed the two runs on five hits and walk, while striking out six.
The Chattanooga lineup finally came alive in the bottom of the sixth, as a single from Jorge Polanco and walks to Travis Harrison and Adam Brett Walker loaded the bases. Levi Michael tied the game at two with a single to left field, which was followed by a Heiker Meneses walk to again load the bases. Stuart Turner put them in front 3-2 with a sac fly to score Walker, and single from Shannon Wilkerson brought in Michael to make it 4-2. Chattanooga sent every hitter in the lineup to the plate in the big inning.
The outburst put Hurlbut in line for the win, and the Lookouts summoned fireballer Nick Burdi from the bullpen to hold the lead. He walked one in the seventh inning, but retired the other three hitters, including a strikeout, to keep the lead at two.
In the eighth, it got a bit more interesting. Burdi retired the first hitter, but then walked the next two to put the tying run on base. A groundout then put runners at first and third with two outs, before he walked another to load the bases. That ended his night and brought in J.T. Chargois from Chattanooga’s bullpen.
He struck out Nick Ramirez to end the inning and the threat.
After the Lookouts were held off the board in the bottom of the eighth, Chargois remained in the game to close it out.
Lookouts' closer J.T. Chargois shut the door on the Shuckers.
Closer Chargois returned to pitch the ninth inning. He got the first out on a ground out, but walked the next batter, Josh Fellhauer. After striking out pinch hitter Daniel Fields with a 99 mph fastball. He gave a single to center to Yadiel Rivera with Fellhauer taking third. Chargois struck out Nick Shaw on three swinging strikes to end the game.
Box
Monday is Game 5 at AT&T Field at 7:15 p.m.
The Lookouts are vying for their first championship since 1988 and the Shuckers are looking for their first in franchise history.
Read Guy Curtwright's article on the Lookouts Sunday win. http://tinyurl.com/nkcky9k
Starting pitcher David Hurlbut (2-0) picked up the win. He threw 6.0 innings, giving up two runs on five hits.
photo by Tim Evearitt