Chattanooga starting pitcher, Kohl Stewart (4-5) took the loss.
photo by Tim Evearitt
After dropping game one, 9-4, Tuesday, the Birmingham Barons (13-19) nipped the Chattanooga Lookouts (24-8), 3-1.
Fans at Wednesday night's game were treated to a pitcher's duel between two former first-round draft picks -- Chattanooga's Kohl Stewart and Birmingham's Stephen Kopech.
Kopech struck out 12 hitters over six innings and the Barons' bullpen did the rest. Kopech (7-6) allowed one run and two hits while walking two to get the win.
On MLB Pipeline's updated Top 100 Prospects list, Kopech is now the top pitching talent in the Minor Leagues
Since his return from the Futures Game, where his fastball touched 101 mph during a perfect third inning in the United States' win, Kopech has gone 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three outings.
He's given up two runs on 10 hits in 20 innings, striking out 25 while walking four in that time. He has gone at least six innings in all three and delivered eight scoreless frames with eight whiffs and no walks on July 20.
Kohl Stewart (4-5) went five innings for the Lookouts, allowing two runs and five hits in the. He struggled with his control, walking four, hitting a batter while he also struck out two.
Chattanooga started the scoring in the first inning. After reaching base on a walk, Nick Gordon advanced to second on a ground out and then scored on a single by Jonathan Rodriguez. Rodriguez had two-of-the-four hits for the Lookouts, a double and a single.
Birmingham answered in the next half-inning when Courtney Hawkins hit an RBI single, bringing home Mason Robbins.
The Barons took the lead for good in the fifth when Alfredo Gonzalez scored on a passed ball.
Connor Walsh got Carlos Paulino to hit into a double play with a runner on first to end the game for his third save of the season.
Box
With the series tied 1-1, the Lookouts and the Barons will square off against each other in game three at AT&T Field on Thursday night at 7:15 p.m.
RHP, Dereck Rodriguez (4-1, 2.95) will get the nod for the Lookouts on Thursday night. Birmingham will send LHP, Jordan Guerrero (6-9, 3.65), to the mound to start the game.
Roster moves:
The Lookouts released catcher Dan Rohlfing. Taking his place is the newly-acquired Anthony Recker.
Jonathan Rodriguez drove in the Lookouts only run and he also doubled.
photo by Tim Evearitt