Veteran Travis Harrison had three hits and three RBI in the game.
photo by Tim Evearitt
SEVIERVILLE - The Smokies couldn't get their bats going on Saturday night as the Lookouts out hit Tennessee 14-5 and ended up taking the second game of the five-game series, 8-1. Chattanooga captured their sixth straight win.
The second place Lookouts (32-30) are just one game from elimination in the first half of the North Division of the Southern League behind the Jackson Generals (40-22).
The defending Southern League champions will try to win the second half in order to enter the post-season playoffs.
RHP Ryan Eades was strong on the mound for Chattanooga as he did not give up a run or walk while striking out five batters in his six innings of work on his way to his third win of the year.
The Lookouts jumped on Smokies' starter RHP Duane Underwood, Jr. right out of the gates as Zach Granite led off the contest with a single to right field. Granite then stole second base before he moved to third base on a ground out fromLeo Reginatto. With one out, Travis Harrison came to the dish and drove in Granite with a double to the gap in right-center field handing Chattanooga a 1-0 advantage.
The Lookouts added to their lead during the very next at-bat with Mitch Garver hitting a single up the middle to score Harrison from second making it a 2-0 contest.
Underwood Jr. settled in and retired the side in the second frame while picking up three strikeouts and giving up two base knocks through the third and fourth innings. The 21-year-old was tabbed for his fourth loss of the season.
Chattanooga's offense was able to put something together in the fifth however.Daniel Palka began the push with a two-out base hit and moved to third on a throwing error by Underwood Jr. on a pickoff attempt. Harrison came through for his second RBI of the night with a single to left to give the Lookouts a 3-0 lead over Tennessee.
The Lookouts added to their lead in the sixth frame courtesy of a two-out solo home run off of the bat of Ryan Walker.
Tennessee gave the ball to Starling Peralta to begin the seventh inning. After retiring Palka to begin the inning, Harrison singled up the middle before he stole second and Garver drew a free pass. DJ HIcks was able to drive in Harrison with a single to center making it a 5-0 Chattanooga advantage.
Chattanooga wasn't finished in the seventh as Stuart Turner kept the offense going with a walk that was then followed by a wild pitch from Peralta allowing Garver to score. Engelb Vielma drove in the Lookouts' fourth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to right pushing the Lookouts' lead to 8-0.
The Lookouts turned to their bullpen in the home half of the seventh as LHP Luke Westphal came in on relief of Eades.
Tennessee's offense was able to string something together for the 6,902 fans in attendance in the ninth as Victor Caratini drove home Jacob Hannemann with a sacrifice fly off Mike Strong for the Smokies' only run of the night.
Box
The Smokies and Lookouts will play game three of their five-game series on Sunday afternoon with the first pitch at Smokies Stadium set for 2:05 p.m.
Tennessee will turn to RHP Paul Blackburn (3-2, 2.40 ERA) while Chattanooga will give the mound to LHP David Hurlbut (4-3, 4.19 ERA).
Ryan Walker had the only home run in Saturday's game - a solo shot.
photo by Tim Evearitt