Tyler Duffey
photo by Tim Evearitt
Monday, the Southern League announced that Chattanooga Lookouts’ starting pitcher Tyler Duffey has been named its Pitcher of the Week for April 9–19.
Over a league-high 13.2 innings, Duffey did not allow a run, while striking out 18 batters (second most). The Houston, Texas native held Southern League hitters to a .130 average (fifth lowest) and posted a miniscule WHIP of 0.59 (third lowest). Although he was unable to record a win in his two starts, Duffey pitched deep into both, exiting with the lead in each outing.
On Opening Day in Montgomery, the Rice product struck out 10 batters in 6.2 innings, allowing just four hits and one walk.
He followed with another brilliant performance on April 15 against the Birmingham Barons, firing seven innings of two-hit baseball, while adding eight more strikeouts. This is Duffey’s second career weekly honors after he was selected as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week on July 28 of last season.
Duffey is the first Lookouts’ pitcher to claim this award since Andres Santiago won it last season (8/25-9/1) after throwing a no-hitter on August 28 against Tennessee.
Tonight, the Lookouts are in Mississippi for game one of a five-game series. Alex Wimmers is set to make his first start of the season against Braves right-hander Jason Hursh. Duffey is scheduled to start tomorrow and will look to surpass his career high scoreless streak of 16.0 which he set in 2013 as a member of the Fort Myers Miracle.
After their ten game road trip the Lookouts come back to town on April 30 to play 10 games in eleven days. Highlights of the next two homestands include Star Wars Night (TN Fire Prevention) on Friday, May 1, a Harmon Killebrew Bobblehead Night (Great Clips) on Saturday, May 2 and a Trip Giveaway (CHA Airport) on Friday, May 8. Tickets to Lookouts Baseball presented by FSG Bank are available now online and by calling the box office at 423-267-4TIX.