Ryan Walker crushed a long three-run homer to give the Lookouts a 7-1 lead after just three innings.
photo by Tim Evearitt
A three-run home run by Ryan Walker has helped Chattanooga to a 7-6 victory against Montgomery at AT&T Field on Thursday night. The Lookouts have now won 25 games at home, second-most in the Southern League.
Six pitchers all helped get the Lookouts the win on Thursday night, with Paco Rodriguez picking up the win with two innings of scoreless relief.
Lewis Thorpe started the game and went 1 2/3 innings giving up an unearned run, no hits, and striking out a pair. Ryan Eades came in next and went 2 1/3 innings giving up a pair of hits and another unearned run.
Todd Van Steensel fresh off the Disabled List walked a pair and struck out a pair in an inning of work.
Ryne Harper gave up four runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings and was replaced by Cody Stashak who earned a save despite giving up a run scoring double before getting the final out of the game.
The Lookouts had the game well in hand, leading 7-1 after just three innings and their lead slowly trickled almost all the way away and they barely held on for the win, including a pretty scary ninth inning that saw Montgomery put three runs on the board with the game tying run on second base before they were retired.
Chattanooga scored seven runs on just five hits and Walker committed three errors, one throwing and two fielding, but still managed to win. No hitter had more than one hit, but Walker made up for his defensive miscues with one swing, sending a three-run home run out of the park in the third inning. Walker was 1-for-3 with a home run, a run scored, four RBIs, and a walk
Brent Rooker's first inning walk extended his home on-base streak to 40 games, the longest in Minor League Baseball history since streaks were first recorded in 2009.
Chattanooga got the scoring underway with a four-run first inning as Zander Wiel drew a bases loaded walk. That was followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jaylin Davis and an RBI single from Brian Navarreto as Chattanooga looked to put the game to bed early. In all, five players reached base thanks to a pair of walks, two singles and a hit by pitch.
With Chattanooga up 4-1 in the third, Walker stepped to the plate with two men on and two outs and crushed a ball over the right field wall. It was Walker's fourth home run of the season and second in July after he also went deep against Birmingham on July 4th.
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Southpaw Anthony Marzi will return to the mound on Friday night for the first time since striking out 11 in his last start. First pitch for Fireworks Friday is set for 7:15 p.m.
Sasquatch was on hand in case the Lookouts needed extra help against the Biscuits.
photo by Tim Evearitt