Smokies Trump Lookouts, 12-4
April 7, 2011 - Southern League (SL1)
Chattanooga Lookouts News Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies offense showed no signs of winter rust by scoring 12 runs on 17 hits in a 12-4 win over the Lookouts to open the season at AT&T Field in Thursday night action.
Tennessee jumped off to an early lead in the second by plating four. Back-to-back singles from Matthew Spencer and Josh Vitters set the stage for a Steve Clevenger RBI double. After a ground out and intentional walk, Christopher Rusin, Brett Jackson, and Ryan Flaherty each hit RBI singles to put the score at 4-0.
Spencer led off the third inning with a solo shot over the right field wall to augment the Smokies' lead, 5-0. The Lookouts entered the scoreboard in the fourth frame on the wings of a two-RBI double by Pedro Baez. The deficit decreased in the bottom of the fifth for Chattanooga, as Ivan Ochoa led off with a ground-rule double and eventually made his way home on a Brad Coon ground out.
Down 5-3, the Lookouts inched even closer in the seventh with another run. Baez led off with a walk and advanced to third on a subsequent Matt Wallach double. After an Ochoa ground out, Wilberto Ortiz hit a sacrifice fly to plate Baez.
With the Lookouts closing in on Tennessee's lead, the Smokies widened the gap in the eighth inning by scoring three runs. Rebel Ridling homered, while Brett Jackson hit an RBI triple to account for two of the runs. Flaherty followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Jackson, putting the score at 8-4.
The Smokies delivered the coup de grace in the top of the ninth by putting together a four-run rally. A trio of doubles from Spencer, Ridling, and Nat Samson highlighted the big inning for Tennessee.
Rusin (1-0) earned the win for the Smokies, going five innings and surrendering three runs on four hits and one walk. He struck out four in the win.
Chris Withrow (0-1) took the loss for the Lookouts. In four innings of work, he yielded five runs on eight hits and three hits, while striking out three.
The Chattanooga Lookouts and Tennessee Smokies will continue their five-game series at 7:15 P.M., tomorrow. Tickets for this game or any other Lookouts home game can be purchased at the Lookouts Box Office at AT&T Field, online at www.lookouts.com, or by calling (423) 267-4849.
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Southern League Stories from April 7, 2011
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