Miguel Sano tags out Ryan Rieger at third.
photo by Tim Evearitt
After Sunday afternoon's slugfest in which a total of 27 runs scored on 30 hits, Monday night's contest was a fast-moving pitcher's duel. The number one prospect in all of Minor League Baseball, Byron Buxton, delivered a walk-off two-run home run to break a 0-0 tie and give the Lookouts (13-11) their fourth straight win over the Jacksonville Suns (10-14).
Buxton's game winning shot also extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games and is hitting .455 (15-for-33) with seven extra-base hits during that span.
Prior to Buxton's home run the Lookouts had only mustered one hit, a Miguel Sano single in the second inning.
Buxton continues to get better-and-better as he returns to good health from two seasons of injuries. His home run brought the crowds to their feet.
Inning-by-inning game recap.
Lookouts starter D.J. Baxendale worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings allowing three hits while walking five and striking out five in his start for the Lookouts. Baxendale saw his earned run average fall to a measly 0.86, good for the fourth lowest in Double-A baseball. D.J. Johnson went two scoreless innings in relief.
Zack Jones (W, 1-0) earned the victory out of the bullpen tossing a scoreless ninth relinquishing two hits while striking out a pair of batters.
Suns starter Kendry Flores, No 12 prospect of the Miami Marlins, provided his strongest outing of the year tossing eight scoreless frames surrendering only one hit while walking a batter and striking out five in a no decision.
Casey McCarthy (L, 0-1) took the loss for Jacksonville after entering in the ninth and allowing the game-winning home run to Buxton.
After eight scoreless innings at AT&T field, Carlos Paulino would start out the ninth frame with a walk for Chattanooga to then be moved into scoring position via a sac bunt by Heiker Maneses. Buxton stepped to the plate against Suns reliever Casey McCarthy. After the count reached 3-1, it was expected that he would get an unintentional intentional walk and McCarthy would then face Stephen Wickens. Not so. Buxton hit the next pitch he saw far over the left field wall for his third home run of the season.
The game was complete in 2:16.
The Lookouts return to action Wednesday night at AT&T Field to open a five-game series against the Jackson Generals. Game time is 7:15 p.m.
Heiker Meneses turned two 6-3 double plays in the game.
photo by Tim Evearitt