Felix Jorge
photo by Ft. Myers Miracles
SEVIERVILLE - Just as they did on Sunday night, the Smokies found themselves in an early hole and were able to complete a come from behind win for the second consecutive night as they topped the Lookouts by a count of 7-6.
Felix Jorge made his AA debut for the Lookouts on Monday. He squared off against Jen-Ho Tseng, a well-regarded prospect in his own right, who was pursued heavily by the Twins as an international free agent in 2013.
Jorge’s night started off as well as you’d hope: He faced nine batters and retired them all, four on strikeouts and four on ground balls. But when the lineup turned over, so did the results. After getting the leadoff batter out, extending his streak to 10 straight, Jorge gave up five consecutive singles, resulting in three runs.
Two more singles and a blast resulted in three more runs in the fifth inning. A walk and two more singles plated one more run and Jorge’s night was over: 5 1/3 innings, 10 hits, seven runs, a walk and four strikeouts.
The bullpen trio of Zack Jones, Mason Melotakis and Raul Fernandez combined for five strikeouts and three shutout innings.
Melotakis threw his 10th straight scoreless outing, striking out his 13th batter over that span in the process, while Zack Jones remains scoreless since returning the Lookouts and Twins organization after the Brewers forfeited his Rule 5-Draft selection.
Chattanooga scored first in the third inning when Niko Goodrum singled in Leo Reginatto, who had doubled. They tacked on two more in the third inning thanks to a handful of singles and a balk.
A Ryan Walker double and Stuart Turner home run contributed to the final three runs.
For Turner the blast was his fourth homer of the season and he is now batting .400 with two runs scored and seven RBI in July.
Walker and Mitch Garver had two hits and only D.J. Hicks didn’t get a hit.
The Lookouts are now 46-42 on the season. Chattanooga fell to 7-6 and need to win Tuesday to preserve their series winning streak of eight straight.
Box
The Smokies and Lookouts will play the fourth game of their five-game series on Tuesday night with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. from Smokies Stadium.
The Smokies will give the ball to Major League rehabber RHP Clayton Richard while Chattanooga will turn to LHP Stephen Gonsalves (2-1, 4.91 ERA).
Gonsalves has had some struggles with control and had just one quality start in his three outings with the Lookouts but he shined in his last start, going six shutout innings while striking out five.One thing he has undoubtedly done well is strike batters outs. The LHP has fanned 19 Southern League batters in 14 2/3 innings pitched.
Stuart Turner hit his fourth home run of the season Monday.
photo by Tim Evearitt