Lookouts slip past Shrimp

The Chattanooga Lookouts opened their final homestand of the 2018 season with a victory, topping the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4-3 Friday night in front of 4,415 at AT&T Field.

Luis Arraez produced the winning run with his sixth-inning sacrifice fly that scored Jimmy Kerrigan, who hit a one-out single and was pushed to third by Tanner English’s double.

The Lookouts led 3-0 after the first inning, when leadoff man Arraez hit the fourth pitch he saw from Jacksonville starter McKenzie Mills (0-3) over the right-field fence for his second home run of the season. Brent Rooker then drew a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and went home on a double by Jaylin Davis, who scored when Andy Wilkins grounded out to first.

The Jumbo Shrimp got a run back in the second when Anfernee Seymour walked, moved to third on John Silviano’s single and scored as the Lookouts recorded a double play. Jacksonville tied it up in the third, when Eric Jagielo bunted his way on with two outs and Seymour homered to right.

Sam Clay (2-6) earned the win with two scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out four batters. Devin Smeltzer pitched the final two innings, giving up two hits and striking out four to earn his second save this season.

Chattanooga improved to 25-34 in the second half of the Southern League season and 61-67 this year.

The five-game series at AT&T continues tonight at 7:15. Nick Neidert (117, 3.24) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Jumbo Shrimp, with the Lookouts set to make a game-day announcement.