After getting three hits Friday, D.J. Hicks raised his average to .395.
photo by Tim Evearitt
PEARL, MS -- The Chattanooga Lookouts plated the decisive run in the top of the ninth to defeat the Mississippi Braves 3-2 at Trustmark Park Friday evening. With the series finale victory, the Lookouts prevent the Braves' sweep.
Inning-by-inning game recap.
Clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth, Zach Jones shut down the M-Braves to collect his third save.
Max Kepler made his second straight start in centerfield. Byron Buxton is healthy. Manager Doug Mientkiewicz chose to give Buxton another day off, hoping it will help jump-start his season. He also switched up his lineup. He flip-flopped Miguel Sano and Travis Harrison, moving Sano down to 5th in the order. Also, after missing two games, Adam Brett Walker returned to the Lookouts lineup.
Mississippi (9-5) scored two runs on seven hits while Chattanooga (7-7) plated three on 11 hits. Both teams committed one error.
DJ Hicks went 3-for-5 at the plate for the Lookouts. Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler both added two-hit games.
The Mississippi Braves loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the second but an inning-ending double play ended the threat.
Chattanooga took a 2-0 lead in the sixth. Hicks doubled and Migual Sano launched a two-run home run, giving the Lookouts the lead.
KD Kang singled with one out to start the M-Braves seventh. Steve Rodriguez then doubled down the left field line, driving home Kang and cutting the Lookouts lead to 2-1. Matt Lipka then tripled to right field, plating the tying run.
Stu Turner walked to lead off the top of the ninth. Polanco followed with a base hit to right before Kepler delivered another single to right, driving home Wickens to put the Lookouts out front 3-2.
Neither starter factored in the decision. Ryan Weber worked four frames for the M-Braves, giving up three hits and striking out five. DJ Baxendale tossed 6.2 innings for the Lookouts. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and a walk while fanning four.
Nick Burdi (1-2) picked up the win, working 1.1 frames. Jorge Reyes (2-1) went 2.2 innings in relief and took the loss. He gave up one earned run on four hits and walk while striking out one.
The Lookouts make the eight-hour trip to Kodak, TN where they will play the division leading Smokies Saturday night.