Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Jeff Brigham won his third straight start to begin his Double-A career, with home runs by first baseman Eric Jagielo and catcher Chris Hoo propelling a 5-1 win to snap the Chattanooga Lookouts' seven-game winning streak at AT&T Field Friday night.
Chattanooga (9-6) scored its only run to take a first-inning lead against Brigham (3-0).
Left fielder Brent Rooker hit a one-out triple to center field and scored on shortstop Nick Gordon's sacrifice fly. It was the first run of the season allowed by Brigham, who scattered five hits and one walk with two strikeouts in his third straight five-inning start.
Jacksonville (5-9) tied the game in the top of the second inning against Lookout left-hander Lewis Thorpe (0-2). Right fielder John Norwood extended a nine-game hitting streak with a leadoff triple to right-center field and scored the tying run when a third strike to designated hitter Colby Lusignan got past Lookouts catcher Brian Navarreto.
Jagielo gave the Jumbo Shrimp a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning with a one-out solo home run - his team-high third of the season - to right field. Hoo led off the fifth inning with his first Southern League home run to make it 3-1. Hoo notched his first three-hit game in Double-A. Left fielder Austin Dean tallied three hits to raise his Southern League-best .521 average.
Thorpe departed with a runner at first base and two outs in the sixth inning, and left-hander Anthony McIverentered to face third baseman Brian Schales, who doubled to left field, putting two runners in scoring position. Designated hitter Colby Lusignan hit a two-run single into center field, extending the lead to 5-1. Thorpe allowed four earned runs on six hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. McIver allowed the final run on five hits and one walk in one inning.
Following Brigham, Jumbo Shrimp left-hander Jose Quijada pitched three hitless innings, allowing only a leadoff walk in the eighth inning before inducing an inning-ending double play. Left-hander Jeff Kinley pitched a perfect ninth inning.
Thorpe was one out from a Quality Start, but his pitch count crept high enough that he was removed from the game with two outs in the sixth inning and a runner on base. McIver allowed Thorpe’s runner to score and another run. Thorpe’s final line probably doesn’t look quite as good as he threw. .
Andrew Vasquez came on to get the final out of the seventh inning without further damage. Vasquez got four outs. He gave up two hits, but no runs. He struck out two without walking a batter. Cody Stashak walked two and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
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Saturday, the Lookouts head to Jackson to face the first place Jackson Generals. Jackson is currently 11-2 and are tied for the second highest winning percentage in all of Minor League Baseball. The team returns home next Thursday for a five-game homestand that features a Thirsty Thursday (4/26), Fireworks (4/27), the World Famous ZOOperstars (4/28) and Hispanic Heritage Night (4/29)!