Sparks Lifts Wahoos Past Lookouts, 10-8, In Extras

July 25, 2018

With two outs and a runner at second base in the 10th inning, Taylor Sparks blasted his 10th home run of the season to give the Blue Wahoos a 10-8 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts Tuesday night at AT&T Field.

The Lookouts ambushed Wahoos starter Vladimir Gutierrez with four first inning runs. Brent Rooker started the scoring for the second straight night with a home run, Tuesday’s was a two-run shot. The Lookouts would score two more while sending all nine batters to the plate in the inning.

Trailing 4-0 in the third inning, the Blue Wahoos rallied for six runs to take the lead. Aristides Aquino delivered the big hit with a three-run homer to put the Wahoos in front 6-4. The Blue Wahoos added two more in the fourth. Jose Siri tripled and scored on a TJ Friedl single. Friedl scored later in the inning on a two-out single from Shed Long.

Gutierrez settled down and didn’t allow a run over his final four innings. He was done after five innings with four runs allowed on nine hits with three walks and five strikeouts. It was the most runs he had allowed in a start since June 1.

The Lookouts rallied for four runs to tie the game in the seventh inning against Juan Martinez. With the Wahoos still leading 8-6, Rooker laced a two-run double to tie the game at 8-8. It stayed that way until Sparks belted his home run in the 10th to put the Blue Wahoos up 10-8. Alex Powers (S, 11) worked a scoreless bottom of the 10th to finish off the win. Rafael De Paula (W, 2-3) earned the win out of the bullpen with two scoreless innings in relief. Williams Ramirez (L, 2-6) allowed the two 10th inning runs to take the loss for the Lookouts.

Everybody in the Wahoos starting lineup got at least one hit with five players getting two hits. Sparks led the charge with a double and his home run. Chris Okey also had a pair of extra base hits, both doubles, as part of a 2-for-5 game. Aquino’s homer was his only hit, but it extended his hit streak to eight games.

The Blue Wahoos will continue the series Wednesday morning. RHP Tony Santillan (2-0, 1.50) will start for Pensacola against Lookouts RHP Sean Poppen (3-5, 4.32)

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