Wilkins delivers in Lookouts win
Apparently, one loss — and a close one at that — was enough to snap the Chattanooga Lookouts back into winning mode.
The Lookouts beat the Tennessee Smokies 6-1 in front of 4,018 at AT&T Field on Friday night, a day after the Smokies won 2-1 to end the Lookouts’ winning streak at eight games.
Friday’s victory was the 23rd in 26 games for the Lookouts, who won the Southern League North Division’s first-half title to clinch a spot in the playoffs but have done anything but coast since that accomplishment last month.
Thursday’s one-run output was Chattanooga’s worst offensive performance since a 6-1 loss to Pensacola on June 26, but the bats came back around quickly Friday as Edgar Corcino and Andy Wilkins each had a two-run home run for the Lookouts, who improved to 13-2 in the second half and 55-30 overall this season.
Tennessee scored the game’s first run in the second inning, when Jason Vosler doubled to lead off, advanced to third on a flyout and came home on a wild pitch by Lookouts starter Randy LeBlanc.
The Lookouts got the run right back in the bottom half of the inning in similar fashion. Jonathan Rodriguez had a leadoff single, went to third on Wilkins’ double to center field and came home on a wild pitch by Smokies starter Trevor Clifton with one out.
Wilkins homered in the fourth after Rodriguez reached on a double, and Corcino made it 5-1 in the fifth when his homer also brought in Alex Perez, who was hit by a pitch. Wilkins scored the game’s final run in the sixth, doubling to center with one out, then coming home on Travis Harrison’s linedrive single to center with two out to chase Clifton (5-5).
LeBlanc (3-3) lowered his ERA to 4.96, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out four. Randy Rosario pitched two scoreless innings and Paul Clemens one to finish.
The final matchup of the five-game series is at 7:15 tonight. Zach Hedges (6-5, 4.06) is set to start on the mound for Tennessee, with Chattanooga’s starter to be determined.