Stephen Gonsalves has become the ace of the Lookouts' pitching staff.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Edgar Corcino and the Lookouts pitching staff combined to send Chattanooga fans home happy on Fan Appreciation Night with a 3-1 win over the Mississippi Braves.
Corcino tripled in two runs to start the scoring in home half of the fourth Saturday. Ryan Walker and Travis Harrison came home to score on the big hit and gave the Lookouts a lead they would hold the rest of the way.
The offense finished with just five hits, but the pitching staff ensured their three runs was more than enough.
Lefty Stephen Gonsalves started the game on the mound and while he elevated his pitch count quickly (103 pitches), he dominated the Braves while he was on the mound. Gonsalves allowed just five hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched while striking out six and walking a pair, improving to 8-1 with the Lookouts this season and lowering his ERA to a stellar 1.64. Gonsalves has been particularly dominant over his last 10 starts, posting a 0.72 ERA with 70 strikeouts and just 29 hits allowed in 62 2/3 innings.
Todd Van Steensel showed he was worthy of his recent call up as the first relief arm called on tonight, going 1.1 innings without allowing a baserunner for his third hold in just four outings in the Southern League. Mason Melotakis made his return from the DL in the eighth and looked to be in trouble after loading the bases. But the left handed reliever buckled down and struck out the side to escape the jam.
The Lookouts then turned the game over to Raul Fernandez in the ninth inning, who, along with Zack Jones, has taken up closer duties since Trevor Hildenberger was placed on the DL. Fernandez gave up the first run of the game for the M-Braves on a Joey Meneses homerun but escaped with the lead intact for his fifth save.
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The Braves and Lookouts will square off again Sunday afternoon at 2:15 pm with RHP Aaron Slegers making his team-leading 24th start for Chattanooga opposite the Braves' Sean Newcomb.
Note: In what could be a significant blow to Chattanooga's playoff hopes, Kohl Stewart was placed on the disabled list dated to 8/26 with right elbow tendonitis.