Lookouts Flirt With No-No, Defeat Suns 5-4

Suns' rally falls short after being no-hit through first eight innings

By Michael West

April 16, 2014

CHATTANOOGA, TN - Just one night after being one-hit by the Jacksonville Suns (4-9), the Chattanooga Lookouts (5-8) got their revenge on Wednesday, with Chris Reed, Mike Thomas and Pedro Baez nearly no-hitting the Suns.

Hear manager Andy Barkett's postgame comments here:

Chris Reed (W, 1-1) earned his first win of 2014 after allowing two unearned runs in six hitless innings, while striking out nine Suns. Mike Thomas (H, 1) struck out two in his two innings of scoreless ball.

Brady Shoemaker would break up the combined no-hit bid as the second batter in the ninth inning, but the Suns would come one run short in the ninth inning against Pedro Baez (SV, 4) who would shakily earn the save.

Angel Sanchez (L, 0-3) took the loss in his second consecutive quality start on the road, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in six innings of work.

Edgar Olmos allowed a pair of unearned runs in the seventh, while Nick Wittgren allowed two hits in his scoreless eighth inning.

Despite having no hits through the first eight innings of play, Jacksonville scored unearned runs in the first and third innings and broke through for two more runs courtesy of a Wilfredo Gimenez two-run double in the top of the ninth.

Errors would plague the Suns all game long, with Jacksonville committing a season-high four errors on Wednesday.

In his first game as a Jacksonville Sun, Angel Morales became the first Sun in 2014 to have a multi-steal game, ending up with three stolen bases in three attempts.

The Suns and Lookouts will be back at it Thursday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET from AT&T Field. Jacksonville will toss out the lefty Justin Nicolino (0-2, 4.82) and he'll be countered by Lookouts right-hander Andres Santiago (0-0, 2.70).

Suns fans can listen to Thursday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM or through www.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET for the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show.

The 2014 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season / individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.