T.J. White was 3-for-4 with a double and scored twice.
photo by Tim Evearitt
KODAK, Tenn. -- The Lookouts are the first half champions of the Southern League North Division, clinching a playoff berth, after a crazy comeback in the top of the ninth securing a 5-3 victory over the Tennessee Friday.. Trailing 3-2 entering the final inning, T.J. White led off with a broken-bat single. Levi Michael followed with a walk.
Dan Rohlfing dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but the Smokies first baseman decided to try to get the out at third, airmailing the ball into left field instead.
White and Michael came around to score, giving the Lookouts the lead. Rohlfing would later come around to score on a passed ball.
The error, part of a three-run inning, gave the Lookouts a 4-3 lead before Dan Rohlfing scored on a passed ball later in the inning.
Starter Randy LeBlanc gave up two runs on five hits over 5 1/2 innings. He had four strikeouts and walked one batter.
Nick Gordon and Michael hit RBI singles in the fifth and sixth innings to give the Lookouts a 2-1 lead.
The Smokies came back to take a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning when Andrew Ely scored on a wild pitch and Jason Vosler scored on a home run.
Luke Bard pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to seal the victory for the Lookouts. Nick Anderson pitched a scoreless eighth inning to keep the game within a run for the Looks, who are now 40-28 on the season.
Box
The Lookouts play finish first half play with two more games against the Smokies at Smokies Park. Then follows a three day Southern League All-Star Break. Felix Jorge faces Jen-Ho Tseng in game four of the series.
Roster Update:
LHP Mason Melotakis has been transferred to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.
RHP Paul Clemens has been activated from Disabled List.