Biloxi, MS - - TheChattanooga Lookouts and the Biloxi Shuckers waited for just over two hours for Sunday's game to start. When it did the Shuckers came from behind to pull off the one run win over the Lookouts 5-4.
After leading wire-to-wire in their first three games against the Lookouts (21-21), the Shuckers (24-20) mounted a comeback to claim their sixth straight win.
Biloxi jumped out to an early lead in the second on a solo home run by C.J. Hinojosa, his second of the year, to put the Shuckers up 1-0.
Chattanooga tied the contest in the fifth when Gavin LaValley connected for a solo homer to left, his third of the season. The Lookouts went in front in the top of the sixth on a two-RBI double to left from Brantley Bell, giving the visitors a 3-1 advantage.
Lookouts' starting pitcher, RHP Johendi Jiminian, departed in the bottom of the sixth after allowing back-to-back singles to Cooper Hummel and Patrick Leonard, giving way to RHP Joel Kuhnel. Bruce Caldwell stepped to the plate and catapulted a fastball out to right that dropped over the fence for a three-run homer, Caldwell's third of the season, putting Biloxi back in front at 4-3.
In an immediate response, the Lookouts evened the score in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Trammell. RHP Aaron Kurcz (W, 2-0) prevented any further damage, setting the stage for the Shuckers offense.
Shuckers Robie Rojas singled to start the bottom of the seventh inning and Jake Gatewood followed with a double down the left field line. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Hummel delivered a deep fly to left field, allowing Rojas to tag up and score the go-ahead run, to make it 5-4.
Lookouts game highlights (from redsminorleagues.com)
Alfredo Rodriguez went 2-5.
Taylor Trammell went 0-2 with 2 walks, a run, and he had an RBI.
Tyler Stephenson went 1-4 with a run.
Brantley Bell went 2-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI.
Gavin LaValley went 1-3 with a solo home run (3).
Johendi Jiminian allowed 3 runs in 5.1 innings with a walk and 5 strikeouts.
Cory Thompson threw a shutout inning of relief.
Monday's final game of the series has Chattanooga's RHP Tony Santillan (0-2,3.95) facing Biloxi's RHP Bowden Francis at 7:35 p.m. Follow the game on 98.1 The Lake and at MiLB.com
After a day-off Tuesday, the Lookouts return to what hopes to be the friendly confines of AT&T Park to open a series with their neighbors, the Birmingham Barons.