Chattanooga Edges Blue Wahoos 3-2 In Series Finale

June 26, 2012

Chattanooga right fielder Blake Smith blasted what turned out to the game-winning home run in the fourth and also threw out a pair of Blue Wahoos base runners at the plate in the seventh, while Pensacola right fielder Josh Fellhauer recorded four hits, as the Lookouts won the series finale 3-2 on Monday night at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Despite the loss, the Fish won the series thanks to their 8-7 series-clinching victory on Sunday afternoon, though Monday’s defeat drops their overall record this year to an even 37-37. The victory improved Chattanooga to a 34-39 record overall in 2012 and also snapped Pensacola’s three-game winning streak.

Chattanooga started the scoring in the second frame, plating a tally without recording a hit. SS Jake Lemmerman drew a two-out walk and then advanced to second and third on free passes, before coming across on a wild pitch to give the Lookouts the early 1-0 lead.

The Blue Wahoos would counter in the fourth to draw the game even at 1-1, when 1B Beau Mills reached base on a single and then was brought home on an RBI double to center by C Brian Peacock. The home team however, would then grab the lead back in the following frame with the longball. After CF Nick Buss drew a base-on-balls, Smith subsequently homered over the right-center field wall for his eighth big fly of the year.

Pensacola then narrowed the margin to one in the seventh, though they were left desiring more in the frame. Peacock began the inning with a base knock, moved all the way to third on an error and tagged up on LF Andrew Means’ fly ball to right, but was thrown out at the plate by the right fielder Smith to keep the Fish off the board at that time.

Fellhauer would follow with a single and pinch hitter Stephen Hunt drew a free pass before a base hit by CF Ryan LaMarre loaded the bases for SS Didi Gregorius, who drove a single to right to score Fellhauer. Hunt also tried to score on the play, but Smith again foiled the Blue Wahoos by throwing out Hunt at home for his second outfield assist of the inning.

It was the second time this month Fellhauer (4-4, 1 R, 1 2B) recorded four hits in a game, while Peacock (2-4, 1 RBI) and LaMarre (2-5) also recorded multi-hit efforts in the victory. Peacock extended his hitting streak with the Blue Wahoos to nine straight games dating back to April 25, which has been paused and then continued twice due to stints with Triple-A Louisville.

Chattanooga reliever Wes Roemer (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned the win after giving up just one earned run on three hits in his three frames, while Lookouts closer Steve Ames (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) notched his fifth save of the season. Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 5-5 in 2012 after struggling with his command at times, yielding eight walks along with three earned runs on two hits, though he did fan seven in the defeat.

The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola to host the Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in their first homestand of the second half, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Generals are expected to send RHP Steve Garrison to the mound, while RHP Tim Crabbe is slated to toe the rubber for the Fish.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports