Lookouts' Home Runs Sink Smokies, 6-2
SEVIERVILLE - The Smokies were able to jump ahead to a 1-0 lead in the first inning but the Lookouts took the lead in the fifth frame and never looked back as they topped the Smokies 6-2 on Friday night. RF Billy McKinney put together a 2-for-4 night and picked up his 19th RBI of the season for the Smokies. Tennessee was able to out hit the Lookouts 8-6 on the night in the losing affair.
With the loss the Smokies now sit at 26-35 on the year while the Lookouts improved to 31-30 on the season.
It did not take long for the Smokies to grab a lead in front of the 6,913 fans at Smokies Stadium as they jumped ahead in the first frame. With two outs and 2B Chesny Young (1-3, R, BB) on first, 1B Cael Brockmeyer (1-4, SO) hit a single to left to move Young into scoring position. McKinney (2-4, RBI, SO) then came to the dish and smoked a double to right field scoring Young and handed the Smokies a 1-0 advantage.
After RHP Brad Markey (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, SO, 3 BB, HR) was able to retire the Lookouts in order in the second and third innings, RF Daniel Palka (2-4, HR, RBI, 2 R) figured Markey out as he sent a solo shot over the left field wall for his 15th of the year and eighth in 10 games.
The Lookouts matched their one-run fourth inning in the fifth frame as they jumped ahead of the Smokies. After SS Engelb Vielma (1-3, R) reached on a throwing error by Markey, the five-foot-eleven Venezuelan stole second base and moved to third on a throwing error by C Ben Carhart (2-4, R) attempting to catch him at second. CF Zach Granite (1-5, 2 RBI) drove home Vielma with a double down the right field line giving the Lookouts a 2-1 lead.
Markey's night was finished after the sixth inning as RHP Stephen Perakslis came on in relief to begin the seventh frame. Markey had a strong night on the mound giving up just three hits and striking out one.
Perakslis (2.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, HR, 2 BB) immediately found himself in trouble giving up a lead off double to DH Stuart Turner (1-4, R). Vielman advanced him to third on a sacrifice bunt before Granite drove him home with a soft groundout to second handing Chattanooga a two-run cushion.
The eighth inning wasn't kind to Perakslis either. Palka led off the frame by sending a soft line drive under the glove of a diving LF Trey Martin (0-4, 3 SO) and moving all the way to third for a triple. LF Travis Harrison (0-1, R, 3 BB) then drew a walk prior to C Mitch Garver (1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R, SO) sneaking a fly ball over the left field wall to put the Lookouts ahead 6-1.
RHP David Berg (1.0 IP) came on for the Smokies in the ninth and the former UCLA Bruin retired the side in order with two ground outs and a fly out.
The Lookouts turned to RHP Raul Fernandez (1.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, SO) in the bottom of the ninth frame and the Smokies were able to jump on the Dominican Republic native. With one out, Carhart singled with a blooper to left-center and moved to second thanks to a wild pitch. 3B Daniel Lockhart (1-3, RBI, SO) was then able to drive home Carhart with a double off the wall in center making it a 6-2 contest.
Fernandez was able to close out the game by striking out Martin and getting CF Jacob Hannemann (0-4, SO) to fly out to third.
The Smokies and Lookouts will do battle again on Saturday with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET from Smokies Stadium. RHP Duane Underwood, Jr. (0-3, 5.30 ERA) will take the mound for Tennessee. Underwood, Jr. is the Cubs' top pitching prospect according to Baseball America. The Lookouts will give the ball to RHP Ryan Eades (2-2, 4.70 ERA).
The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch from Smokies Stadium. Saturday night's broadcast can be heard on Sports Radio WNML 99.1 FM and 990 AM, as well as online at http://smokiesbaseball.com/ or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps. The contest can also be watched on MiLB.tv.
Saturday, the Smokies will host the East Tennessee High School All-Star Game. Local baseball stars will participate in batting practice, a home run derby and a nine-inning game (time permitting) starting at 2 p.m. A ticket to Saturday's matchup serves as dual admission for the All-Star festivities and the Smokies battle against the Lookouts. Saturday's contest will also be Jimmy Buffett Tribute Night presented by Lloyd's Electric Service. In honor of the 'Margaritaville' performer, Corona's will cost just $2 throughout the contest and there will be a special postgame concert by the Key West Band.
After the game concludes, there will be another stellar Postgame Fireworks display inconjunction with Alzheimer's Tennessee. As well, the first 250 fans through the gates that night will received a Soft Baseball Giveaway courtesy of Alzheimer's Tennessee. Saturday night's contest will also feature a Medic Blood Drive.
Tickets for all five games of Tennessee's contests are still available, and can be purchased at http://www.smokiesbaseball.com/, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit http://www.smokiesbaseball.com/.