Veteran Mitch Nay hit a 6th inning two-run home run and another two-run homer in the eighth inning
photo by Tim Evearitt
Chattanooga's late inning magic fell short Tuesday night as they dropped the series opener to the Tennessee Smokies 8-6 on a gorgeous night at AT&T Field
It was another rough night for Lookouts pitchers as they allowed eight runs on 16 hits.
Tony Santillan (L, 2-5), Red's top pitching farmhand, continues to struggle as he had his shortest outing of the year going just three and two third innings deep.
Santillan allowed seven earned runs on nine hits, as Tennessee didn't hold back offensively. Santillan gave up a grand slam to Smokies' shortstop Vimael Machin - his third of the season.
With the Smokies taking an early 6-0 lead, the Lookouts offense was sluggish as they couldn't figure out Tennessee's RHP Tyson Miller.
It wasn't until the sixth inning, that the Chattanooga offense got rolling as third baseman Mitch Nay slugged his seventh home run of the year making it 6-2.
The Lookouts offense netted two more runs in the seventh thanks to a Chris Okey single and a Michael Beltre fielders choice as Chattanooga inched close 7-4.
In the eighth inning, Mitch Nay became the man of the hour as he slugged another homer, again it was a two-run shot, making it 8-6 Smokies. Nay went 3-for-4 in the game.
Chattanooga's rally ended in the ninth inning as failed to score. The Lookouts were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and were out hit 16-to-9.
Left fielder Stuart Fairchild made his first Double-A appearance after his transfer from Hi-A Daytona. Chattanooga's regular left-fielder Taylor Trammell is currently on the seven-day injury list.
Lookouts game highlights (from redsminorleagues.com)
Alfredo Rodriguez went 1-5 with a run scored.
Mitch Nay went 3-4 with 2 home runs (8) and 4 RBI.
Ibandel Isabel went 1-4.
Stuart Fairchild went 1-4 with a double and a run scored.
Calten Daal went 1-3 with a double, walk, and he scored a run.
Chris Okey went 1-4 with an RBI.
Michael Beltre went 1-4 with an RBI.
Wyatt Strahan threw 2.1 innings with 3 strikeouts.
Ryan Nutof threw 2.0 shutout innings with a strikeout.
The Lookouts are back at it again Wednesday for matinee matchup as LHP Packy Naughton (3-3, 2.38 ERA) takes the hill vs. LHP Luis Lugo (2-0 2.38 ERA) with an 11:15 a.m. first pitch.
Tyson Miller's shutout over the Lookouts ended in the sixth inning on Mitch Nay's home run.
photo by Tim Evearitt