Miguel Sano is congratulated at home after slugging a grand slam homer in the third inning
photo by Tim Evearitt
After losing a game to the elements, the Lookouts resumed their five-game series with Birmingham Friday night. The game was delayed 25 minutes because of light rain. The Lookouts saw their 4-2 lead evaporate and dropped the contest to the Barons, 6-4, for their second loss of the season.
It was not a well played game by Chattanooga with three errors.
Neither starting pitching nor the bullpen were effective. The Barons out hit the Lookouts 14-to-6.
Jose Berrios, a first-round draft pick in 2012 and a top pitching prospect with the Twins, struggled in his second start of the season Friday night. He gave up two runs in the first inning and it could have been worse. Although he had to grind it out over the next four innings, he did not give up any runs. His night was over after he threw 107 pitches in 4 2/3 innings and was pulled with runners on first and second base and two outs. His replacement Jake Reed gave up a base hit scoring a runner that was charged to Berrios.
It took one time through the batting order for the Lookouts to get to Barons' starting pitcher, Mike Recchia. After catcher Stuart Turner led off with a single and Levin Michael walked, Byron Buxton flew out to shallow left field. Jorge Pollanco loaded the bases with a single to left. Miguel Sano followed with a long-long home run over the center-field wall giving the Lookouts the lead, 4-2.
The Barons scored single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings and took a 5-4 lead. They added an insurance run in the ninth and the Lookouts were down to their final three outs when they came to bat in the bottom of the ninth.
The Lookouts tried to mount a rally when Mike Gonzales got on base with one out bringing the tying run to the plate. Adam Walker and Turner each struck out to end the game.
Reliever Nick Burdi (0-2) took the loss for the Lookouts and Miguel Chalas (1-0) got the win for the Barons.
Box Score
Thursdays' lost game will be made up Saturday evening in two seven-inning games. The first game begins at 6:15 p.m.
NOTES
Chattanooga began the night riding a five-game winning streak. Tyler Duffey (0-0/0.00/ has started two games, going 13 2/3 innings without giving up a run while striking out 18 hitters (the most in Minor League Baseball) and walking just two. Due to the rain-out Duffey will start Monday's game.
Berrios, the Twins top pitching prospect (1-0/1.42) made his second start of the year for the Lookouts. In his first start at Montgomery, the 21-year old went 6 1/3 innings striking out 11 men while walking one. He gave up one run on six hits. Berrios. He is rated by MLB.com as the Twins No. 5 prospect.
The Minnesota Twins have named the Lookouts as the second most talented team in Minor League baseball. The team has five prospects in Baseball America's Top 100. The Pawtucket Red Sox are second
Alex Wimmers, a 2010 first-round draft selection, is scheduled to make his first start of the year on Sunday afternoon.
Lookouts' starting pitcher Jose Berrios.
photo by Tim Evearitt