SL1 Chattanooga Lookouts

Bruce's Bat Beats Mudcats, 7-6

Published on July 3, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Chattanooga Lookouts News Release


CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Tuesday night proved to be an epic battle between the Lookouts and the Carolina Mudcats. In a game full of drama and lead swapping, the Lookouts came away with a last at-bat win and their first win of the season while trailing after eight in a 7-6 victory over the Mudcats.

The Lookouts did not take long to get the sellout crowd excited, as Jay Bruce nailed a two-out double in first and would find his way home on an Enrique Cruz single to right.

Carolina would quickly counter in the second with a run of their own. After a Frank Moore double, Lookouts starting pitcher Sam LeCure attempted to pickoff a leaning Moore on second, but an errant throw allowed the runner to advance to third. Brett Hayes would eventually follow with a sacrifice fly to right to knot-up the score, 1-1.

The Lookouts would reclaim their lead in the third by plating two more runs. Carolina starting pitcher Chris Seddon struggled with his control and issued walks to Sam LeCure and Adam Rosales to begin the inning. After a Drew Anderson force out, which resulted in LeCure being out at third, the Mudcats called Blake McGinley out of the bullpen to face Jay Bruce. The lefty reliever received a rude greeting upon entrance into the game, as Bruce scorched a line drive off the fence in right-center field to send home Rosales and advance Anderson to third. Enrique Cruz followed with a sac fly to right to give the Lookouts a 3-1 lead.

The see-saw battle continued in the fourth with the Mudcats adding three more runs to take the lead. Highlighting Carolina's efforts for the inning was a two-run shot off of the bat of Lee Mitchell. Both teams would exchange runs in the fifth. An Adam Rosales leadoff double for Chattanooga would eventually lead to a Lookouts' run, when Enrique Cruz hit an RBI ground out to shortstop.

Both teams, once again, would add a run to their respective sides of the scoreboard in the seventh. An Eric Riggs double set-up a Lee Mitchell single for the Mudcats. The Lookouts utilized the speed of leadoff hitter Adam Rosales, who stole second after reaching first on a single. A single from Jay Bruce scored the speedy first baseman from second. The Lookouts now trailed 6-5.

With two outs in the ninth, the outlook of the game looked bleak for the Lookouts; however, Lookouts fans would not have to wait until after the game to see some fireworks.

Adam Rosales began the rally by earning a walk. He then promptly swiped second, putting himself into scoring position. Drew Anderson followed with a ball hit down the first base line, which look destined to become the third out of the inning, but a fortuitous hop off the bag allowed Rosales to score and Anderson to reach first. With the score tied and the dangerous Jay Bruce, already 3-3 on the night, at the plate, Carolina commissioned the help of Chris Mobley out of the bullpen. The move would prove to be a regrettable decision for the Mudcats, as Jay Bruce hit his first offering off of the left field wall, scoring Anderson and the winning run.

The Lookouts will travel to Mississippi to play the M-Braves, tomorrow, for a four-game home stand. The All-Star break will follow the M-Braves series, and the Lookouts will return to AT&T Field on July 11th to play a five-game home stand against the Huntsville Stars.

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Southern League Stories from July 3, 2007


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