Adam Walker blasted a gigantic solo home run in the seventh inning.
photo by Tim Evearitt
It appeared the Lookouts would cruise to an easy win in their opening game but it took an eighth-inning rally for Chattanooga to win their fifth consecutive game, 4-3.
Inning-by-inning recap
Before the start of tonight's home opener, former Lookouts' legend Roy Hawes was introduced to the crowd.
There were two new features for the fans attending tonight's home opener: (1.) Clocks that have been installed to speed up the game and, (2.) since the Lookouts are affiliated with an American League team, the pitcher does not bat and a designated hitter is used.
Following their first successful road trip at Montgomery, the Lookouts continued their quest for the Southern League title with their opening five-game homestand against the Birmingham Barons (White Sox). The Barons have two of the White Sox top prospects in No. 2 infielder Tim Anderson and No. 3 pitcher Frankie Montas. After hitting .364 in his first 10 games at Double-A in 2014, Anderson is taking up where he left off. He entered tonight's contest going 8-for-21 (.381).
In his second start of the season, Chattanooga's Tyler Duffey has yet to give up a run. Tonight he threw 7.0 shutout innings giving up just two hit, walking a batter but striking out eight Barons. After he left the game, Duffey was not the pitcher of record after Birmingham tied the score in the eighth.
The Lookouts broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth when right-fielder Travis Harrison walked and went to third on Stuart Turner's single. Turner was caught in a run down and tagged for the first out of the inning. Adam Walker picked up Harrison with an RBI single to right. Wickens grounded out to third with Walker moving to second. He scored the Lookouts second run when Levi Michael doubled to right field. Byron Buxton grounded out to end the inning.
Adam Walker hit a monstrous solo home run with two outs over the left-field wall making it 3-0. It appeared the Lookouts would cruise to another win until the Barons came to bat in the eighth inning.
Dallas Gallant who relieved Duffey, hit the first man he faced. After striking out Jeremy Farrell, Joey De Michelle doubled off the left-field wall. With runners at second and third Tim Anderson single to center driving in two runs. Anderson stole second and moved on to third when the ball rolled into center. Anderson jogged home from third on Jacob May's base hit to left. With still only one out, May stole second base. Gallant fanned Courtney Hawkins bringing up veteran Christian Merrero who popped out to second for the third out.
The Barons made a pitching change bringing in Nolan Sanburn.
Levi Michael walked to open the bottom of the eithth and went to second on Buxton's line drive single to left. Switch-hitter Jorge Polanco struck out bringing up power-hitter, Miguel Sano. He grounded to second and it appeared that Buxton was safe until he over slid the bag and was tagged out. Mike Gonzalez broke the 3-3 tie with a single over the first base bag plating Michael. Travis Harrison.
Manager Doug Mientkiewicz called upon Zach Jones to close out the game in the ninth inning. After striking out the first man he faced, Danny Hayes tripled off the right-center field wall. Jones fanned Adrian Nieto but fanned Farrell for the final out.
Box
Check out the game story on Milb.co http://tinyurl.com/nqjwm2g
The Lookouts and Barons meet Thursday night in game two of their five-game set. at 7:15 p.m.