Chris O'Brien And Andres Santiago Named To Southern League's Weekly Honors

Tuesday, the Southern League announced that Chattanooga Lookouts’ catcher Chris O’Brien has been named Southern League Player of the Week and pitcher Andres Santiago was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the period of August 25-September 1. 

O’Brien is the fourth Chattanooga Lookouts’ position player to earn a weekly accolade from the league this season while Andres Santiago is the first pitcher to earn the award.

Entering the week Chris O’Brien was riding a two-game hitting streak and extended the streak to eight games after recording a hit in every game last week.  From 8/26-29 the backstop hit a home run in three straight games and collected four RBIs during that span. His most memorable moment, however, came during the second game of the team’s doubleheader on 8/31.  Down one run in the sixth inning he delivered the go-ahead runs on a pinch-hit triple.  The two-run hit gave the Lookouts the 3-2 lead and secured them their first playoff berth since 2012.

O’Brien’s signature moment would not have been possible if Andres Santiago didn’t pitch lights out in the first game of the series.  The right-hander took the mound against the Smokies and spun a gem, throwing the team’s first no-hitter since Travis Buckley no-hit the Huntsville Stars on June 1, 1996.  Santiago was only one walk away from a perfect game and struck out a season-high 12 batters.  In the second half the number one starter is 5-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 13 starts compared to his first half marks of 1-4 with a 6.09 ERA in 11 starts.

On Thursday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. EST, the team will match up against Huntsville in the first game of the North Division Playoffs.  Starters are yet to be announced and the team will return home for at least one game on Saturday, September 6 at 7:15 p.m EST.

Tickets for the playoffs are on sale now and can be bought online at www.lookouts.com or by phone at 423-267-4TIX.