The Twins announced Shannon Wilkerson was released from the Lookouts roster while Mason Melotakis was activated from the Disabled List. Wilkerson was a member of the 2015 SL Championship team.
photo by Tim Evearitt
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns rallied from a 5-0 deficit to a 5-5 tie, but the Chattanooga Lookouts scored a pair of ninth-inning runs, and the Suns left the tying and winning runs on base to end a 7-6 Lookouts victory in front of 4,987 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Thursday night.
After jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the middle innings, the Lookouts did their best to give this one back to the Suns.
Chattanooga used an error and four singles to push across three runs in the top of the third. Zach Granite doubled to lead off the fifth frame and later came around on an Edgar Corcino two-run double.
Things got a little dicey from there as Jacksonville mounted their comeback. Ryan Eades had put up zeros through the first four frames but ran into a little trouble in the fifth and seventh innings. He ended the night after 6 2/3 innings and allowed four earned runs.
Todd Van Steensel picked up his second hold since being promoted but he was charged with a run in 2/3 inning. Raul Fernandez blew the save in the eighth but earned the win after an interesting ninth.
Chattanooga capitalized on the opportunities they were given in the ninth. Niko Goodrum singled to start the frame. Tanner Witt sacrificed Goodrum to second before a wild pitch moved him to third. Levi Michael walked to put runners on the corners Granite singled to score Goodrum and move Michael into scoring position. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base and Engelb Vielma drove in Michael on a fielder's choice.
The Lookouts are three games out of first place in the Southern League North but there are currently two teams in front of them in the second-half standings (Jackson, the first half champs, and Montgomery).
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The Suns conclude their series with Chattanooga at 7:05 p.m. Friday, when Suns left-hander Matt Tracy (2-5) is scheduled to face Lookouts right-hander Felix Jorge (1-4).
Notes: Granite stole his 49th and 50th bases of the season Wednesday which moved the speedster into a tie for 5th in the Lookouts single season record book. He is tied with Dwight Taylor (1982) and Wally Dashiell (1929) and sits three behind Dee Gordon (53, 2010).
With his three hits in Thursday's win, Granite has taken the batting average lead in the Southern League hitting .303. Jackson's Tyler O'Neill trails at .300. Both men will face each other five times in the final week of the season in Jackson.
Zach Granite has taken the batting average lead in the Southern League hitting .303.
photo by Tim Evearitt