Aaron Slegers won his fifth consecutive start for Chattanooga.
photo by Tim Evearitt
PENSACOLA, Fla. - It looked like the Pensacola Blue Wahoos would send Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Aaron Slegers to the showers early and end his four-game winning streak in Saturday's game.
The 6-foot-10 Slegers gave up two runs on four hits to the first five batters, including Pensacola right fielder Juan Duran's double that he rocketed off of the left field wall that scored center fielder Jeff Gelalich and third baseman Alex Blandino.
But Pensacola ended up losing to Chattanooga, 7-3, Saturday as Slegers struck out a career-high 10 batters in front of the 20th sellout of the season of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos are in danger of losing their first series at home with a 2-2 tie with the final game scheduled at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday.
Slegers ended up working seven innings, and giving up three earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He won his fifth straight game and is now 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA.
In the top of the second inning, Sal Romano struck out the first two batters but then gave up a single to Chattanooga shortstop Leo Reginatto. Reginatto then scored from first when Lookouts catcher Stuart Turner hit a two-out double into the left field corner to pull within, 2-1.
Chattanooga scored four runs in the third inning to go up, 5-2. Lookouts first baseman Mitch Garver hit a deep fly ball to right field that scored second baseman Engelb Vielma to tie the game, 2-2. Lookouts third baseman Niko Goodrum scored on a wild pitch for a 3-2 Chattanooga lead.
Then with two outs Reginatto hit a routine grounder to Pensacola's Daal who threw the ball away allowing both left fielder Travis Harrison and DH D.J. Hicks to score putting the Lookouts ahead, 5-2.
Chattanooga added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings.
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Pensacola hosts the final game of a five-game series at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.. Pitching for the Lookouts is RHP Kohl Stewart (1-3, 4.56), who is going against Blue Wahoos RHP Nick Travieso (3-3, 4.91).