Since coming off the disabled list, Kohl Stewart has demonstrated why he is a top pitching prospect.
photo by Tim Evearitt
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Jonathan Rodriguez had four hits and scored two runs, and Kohl Stewart allowed just three hits over six innings as the Chattanooga Lookouts defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-1 on Sunday.
The Lookouts played without Nick Gordon who was participating in the All-Star Futures Game, along with Edgar Corcino who was promoted to Triple-A Rochester.
Chattanooga got on the board first in the third inning when Andy Wilkins hit an RBI double and Rodriguez scored on a ground out.
The Blue Wahoos cut into the deficit in the fifth inning when Shed Long hit an RBI triple, bringing home Nick Longhi.
Chattanooga padded its lead in the eighth inning with two runs on a bases-loaded walk and bases-loaded wild pitch to continue its domination of Pensacola, winning the opener of the four-game series Sunday in front of 3,778 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Lookouts improved to 14-3 in the second half in the North Division and 56-31 on the season, both of which lead the Southern League.
Kohl Stewart (2-4), the Minnesota Twins first round selection in 2013 worked six innings Sunday, giving up one run on three hits and a walk and striking out six.
At one point, he retired 10 Blue Wahoos in a row.
With the win, Chattanooga improved to 10-1 against Pensacola this season.
The Lookouts later added two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth. In the eighth, Max Murphy scored on a wild pitch, while Murphy hit an RBI double in the ninth.
Chattanooga collected 13 hits in the game to just five for Pensacola.
Rodriguez finished the day 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Wade and Murphy both went 2-for-5 with Wade collecting a pair of doubles. Dan Rohlfing was the lone batter not to collect a hit but his walk to drive in a run was critical.
Deck McGuire (8-6) went six innings, allowing two runs and nine hits to take the loss.. He also struck out three and walked one.
Box
The teams take the field again in Pensacola Monday night with the Lookout holding an 11-1 edge over the Blue Wahoos.
Jonathan Rodriquez had four hits in Sunday's game raising his average to .305.
photo by Tim Evearitt