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Lookouts Down Suns 4-1
08/15/2012 9:20 AM ET
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Jacksonville Suns scored a run in the ninth to avoid begin shutout for the 11th time this season, but fell 4-1 to the Lookouts in the first of a five game series at AT&T Field in Chattanooga.

Suns starter Matthew Neil and Lookouts starter Matt Magill kept the game scoreless for the first six innings, with Neil allowing just four hits and Magill touched for only two singles. Chattanooga took the lead in the bottom of the seventh with an unearned run. Luis Nunez led off with a double and scored on a throwing error by Suns first baseman Ben Lasater to put the Lookouts up 1-0. Lasater fielded Jake Lemmerman's sacrifice bunt, and when he tried to throw out Nunez at third, the ball sailed into left field.

The Lookouts added insurance in the bottom of the eighth against Suns reliever Mike Ojala. The first four batters of the inning each had a hit, starting with J.T. Wise, who led off the inning with his 31st double of the season. After a single by Blake Smith put runners on first and third, Brahiam Maldonado singled with Wise coasting home to increase the Lookouts lead to 2-0. Luis Nunez then doubled down the left field line, with Smith coming around to score to make the score 3-0. Jake Lemmerman tacked on the Lookouts last run with a sacrifice fly, with Maldonado touching the plate and the Lookouts were in command 4-0.

The Suns scored their lone run in the top of the ninth against Lookouts reliever Chris Withrow. After walks to Chris Gutierrez and Ben Lasater, Kyle Skipworth drove in his 51st run of the season with a two-out single to center. The Suns had just four base runners in the first eight innings.

Matthew Neil (2-7) allowed one unearned run on five hits in the loss. Matt Magill (10-6) surrendered just two singles over his seven innings in the win. He stuck out 11 Suns batters, one shy of his season high in a game. Magill has the third-most victories in the Southern League with 10. Chris Withrow earned his second save of the season.

The Suns will look to get even in the series on Wednesday, with the first pitch slated for 7:15 PM from AT&T Field in Chattanooga. LHP Graham Taylor (7-9, 3.86) takes the hill for the Suns. LHP Aaron Miller (5-6, 4.26) will start for the Lookouts.



This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.