Nick Gordon collected five hits in the shutout win over Birmingham
photo by Tim Evearitt
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Nick Gordon had five hits and two RBI, as the Chattanooga Lookouts exploded for a season-high 19 hits in a 9-0 win over the Birmingham Barons on Monday.
Chattanooga remains four games ahead of second place red place Montgomery who have won eight consecutive games. It is possible that the second-half title will be decided when Montgomery plays Chattanooga in the final regular season series to be played at AT&T Field.
The bullpen - in a bullpen game - pitched a shutout. D.J. Baxendale pitched the first three frames, followed by Glen Perkins. Perkins threw 21 pitches (11 strikes) on his way to a hitless, one-walk, two-strikeout performance. Yohan Pino (1-1) got the win with three innings of scoreless, two-hit relief.
All nine batters in the lineup contributed at least one hit. Seven of the nine scored runs and six of the nine drove in runs.
But Gordon was clearly the star of the game and had, arguably, the best offensive showing of any Twins farmhand this season. In six at-bats, Gordon collected three singles, a double and a triple for five hits. He scored three runs and drove in two. His batting average climbed eight points to .288.
In the top of the first, Chattanooga took the lead on a single by LaMonte Wade that scored Gordon.
The Lookouts then added six runs in the fourth and two in the fifth.
In the fourth, Jonathan Rodriguez hit a two-run home run, while T.J. White and Rodriguez both drove in a run in the fifth. Rodriguez hit his 16th home run and had three RBI in the game
Brian Navarreto was 3-for-5. LaMonte Wade, Andy Wilkins, Ryan Walker and Edgar Corcino all had two hits. One of Corcino’s was a triple.
Birmingham starter Spencer Adams (7-13) took the loss in the Southern League game.
The Barons were held off the scoreboard for the 12th time this season, while the Lookouts' staff recorded their 15th shutout of the year.
Yohan Pino earned the win with three innings of two-hit ball. He struck out four. Nick Anderson and Gabriel Moya each pitched a scoreless frame.
The Lookouts are 35-15 in the second half and 77-43 overall. They will have a charging Montgomery team to fend off.
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