Zach Granite stretches out to make a diving catch for the first out of the game.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Down 5-3 in the third inning Daniel Palka smashed a grand slam to give the Lookouts the commanding 7-5 lead en route to a 10-7 victory. The win gave Chattanooga the series, 3-2.
Palka continued an incredible streak. He went 3-4 with a walk, his seventh double and his third home run - a grand slam in the 3rd inning.
In his final at bat, he struck out which ended a streak of reaching base in 14 straight plate appearances. He is now batting .338 on the year and is tied for third in the league in RBIs with 15.
Leonardo Reginnato went 4-5. Mitch Garver added two doubles in five at bats. Zach Granite and Engelb Vielma each had two hits. Granite stole his ninth base.
The game started off tough for Chattanooga as they found themselves in a five-run hole in the first inning. Ryan Eades struggled again in this start. He gave up five runs in the first inning. In 3.1 innings, he gave up six runs on nine hits. He walked four and struck out three.
Starting pitcher Ryan Eades had a tough outing Tuesday.
The Lookouts immediately battled back by putting up three runs in the bottom of the second on a Mitch Garver double and a Barons throwing error.
In the bottom of the third inning the Lookouts offense really kicked into gear. After Palka's grand slam gave them the lead they added more runs on a Granite RBI single and a Reginatto two-run single.
Birmingham chipped away at Chattanooga's lead with a run in the fourth and one in the sixth on a Trey Michalczewski solo homer.
Up three runs, the Lookouts bullpen came in and finished strong, only allowing three hits in three innings.
Corey Williams entered the game and settled things down. In 2.2 innings, he gave up only a solo home run and a walk.
Mike Strong gave up two hits but no runs in his inning. Jake Reed threw a perfect inning.
JT Chargois recorded his third save. He gave up a hit and walked a batter but got the three outs for the save.
After an off day Wednesday, the Lookouts take on the Montgomery Biscuits for another five-game series at home.
DJ Baxendale gets the start for the Lookouts on a Thirsty Thursday at AT&T Field. Game is set for 7:15 p.m. with gates opening at 6:00 p.m.
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Daniel Palka hit a grand slam in the Lookouts seven-run third inning
photo by Tim Evearitt