Lookouts Blow 4-1 Lead In Ninth But Rally For 5-4 Win On Tuesday

The Chattanooga Lookouts received another quality pitching performance from starting pitcher Lewis Thorpe followed by another implosion by the bullpen. A walk-off single by Chris Paul gave the Lookouts a 5-4 victory on Tuesday afternoon at AT&T Field. in the final game of their series with the Biloxi Shuckers.. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak.

LHP Thorpe followed his last game in which he fanned 12 batters by going 5 2/3 innings giving up one run and striking out seven batters.

 After Todd Van Steensel gave up three runs in the ninth inning to tie the game, the Lookouts appeared to be on the brink of extra innings when an Alex Perez single was sandwiched in between two quick outs.

When Brent Rooker was intentionally walked to put runners at first and second, the pressure mounted on the shoulders of Paul. Not wanting to draw out a long at-bat, the Lookouts infielder jumped on the first pitch he saw and drove it out to left field.

Just as he had all series, manager Tommy Watkins sent home the winning run in Perez and a bad hop for Shuckers catcher Max McDowell allowed Perez to sneak under the tag.

Paul has now had three three-hit games since June 13 after none earlier in the season. He has also driven in a team-leading 21 runs this month after he had just 17 through his first 50 games of the year.

Thorpe now leads all of Minor League Baseball with 28 punchouts since June 13th, scattering just three earned runs over his three starts.

Paco Rodriquez (2-0), who threw just 1/3 of an inning, picked up the win in relief.

Meanwhile Jimmy Kerrigan's first double - one of two hits he had on Tuesday, while Perez and backstop Mitchell Kranson also had a pair of base knocks.

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Following Wednesday's off day, Chattanooga will kick off a six-game set against the Smokies on Thursday in their first visit to Kodak, Tennessee. RHP Omar Bencomo (5-2, 2.77 ERA) will get the start for the Lookouts.

Chattanooga will return home on July 4th.