Hot hitting Zach Granite got the Lookouts off to a fast start with his first-inning lead-off home run.
photo by Tim Evearitt
SEVIERVILLE - The Smokies found themselves leading the Lookouts 2-1 headed into the fourth frame, but the Lookouts answered and won the contest by a count of 4-2 on Monday night.
The Smokies fall to 27-37 on the year with the loss while Chattanooga improves to 33-31 with their series-winning victory.
On just the fifth pitch of the contest the Lookouts took a 1-0 lead thanks to Zach Granite sending a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall for his third home run of the season.
Chattanooga's one-run advantage wouldn't last long as the Smokies managed to grab the lead in the third.
Jacob Hannemann caught a fastball on a 1-1 count and sent it over the right field wall to hand Tennessee a 2-1 lead.
The Lookouts answered back immediately as they picked up a run in both the fourth and fifth innings. D.J. Hicks drove a double to right driving in Travis Harrison who led off the fourth by drawing a walk.
Chattanooga's tally in the fifth came via another lead off solo home run, this one off of the bat of Levi Michael handing the Lookouts a 3-2 advantage.
Smokies' reliever David Garner pitched the seventh inning and he was able to retire the side in order. Garner found himself in trouble in the eighth inning that began with a free pass to Harrison. After striking out Garver he gave up another walk to Hicks before Leo Reginatto sent a ground ball into left field driving in Harrison giving the Lookouts what proved to be the final score, 4-2.
The Lookouts made a pitching change in the seventh as well as RHP Jake Reed came on in relief for RHP Aaron Slegers. Slegers was extremely effective after giving up the two-run blast from Hannemann as he picked up six of his seven K's on the night in his final four innings of work. Slegers improved to 4-4 on the season with the victory.
Reed walked Sunday's hitting star, Victor Caratini, to begin his outing but didn't allow the Smokies to capitalize as he got Billy McKinney to ground out and Ben Carhart to ground into an inning ending double play.
RHP James Farris made his Double-A debut as he took the mound for Tennessee in the ninth and the 24-year-old made quick order of the Lookouts in getting three straight ground outs.
Chattanooga turned to RHP Trevor HIldenberger to close out the contest and the California native did just that despite giving up a two-out single from Daniel Lockhart, son of former Chattanooga Lookout and Atlanta Brave, Keith Lockhart.
The Smokies and Lookouts will conclude their five-game series Tuesday afternoon with the first pitch from Smokies Stadium set for 12:05 p.m.
The Smokies are set to give the mound to Jen-Ho Tseng (1-2, 4.07 ERA) while the Lookouts will give the ball to Kohl Stewart (1-0, 4.70 ERA).
Box