Smokies Late Comeback Falls Just Short as Lookouts Take Game Two

Written by Jacob Woods

KODAK, Tenn. -The Lookouts struck first on Wednesday night at Smokies Stadium as James Free snuck one over the right field fence to drive in the first and second runs after Jacob Hurtubis reached on a walk earlier in the inning.

A base hit in the top of the third continued the scoring for Chattanooga as Noelvie Marte singled to left field and a fielding error by third baseman BJ Murray allowed Hurtubis to reach home to make the score 3-0 for the Lookouts.

Tennessee finally made some noise in the bottom of the fifth when Luis Verdugo hit a lead-off double to center field. Strumpf hit a fly ball to the middle of left-center field and the center fielder lost the ball in the lights and allowed the runners at first and second score, pulling the Smokies within one run at 3-2.

With the bases loaded and only 1 out in the bottom of the eighth, Pablo Aliendo hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Nelson Maldonado from third to tie the game. Luis Vazquez then hit one to deep center field that popped up over the wall for a ground-rule double that drove in BJ Murray from third to give the Smokies their first lead of the night at 4-3.

In the top of the ninth, the Lookouts drove in two runs to retake the lead on a line drive double down the left field line. The bottom of the ninth saw the Smokies get a base runner on first to spark some hope into the comeback, but proved to be too little too late for the Smokies. BJ Murray flew out to left-center field for the final out of the game, giving the Chattanooga Lookouts the game two victory over the Tennessee Smokies, 5-4.

The series continues tomorrow night (4/20) for game three of the six-game series at 7:00 PM EST. It will be night two of our Healthcare Providers Appreciation series. Join us as we honor Healthcare Professionals throughout the game! Healthcare professionals who present a photo ID at the box office will receive free tickets to the game! Tickets must be redeemed in person at the Smokies Stadium Box Office on the day of the event.

It’s also Thirsty Thursday! Presented By Coors Light, Fans can enjoy 20oz beer for only $3!

For tickets call (865) 286-2300 or visit smokiesbaseball.com.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the eight-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 www.smokiesbaseball.com.