Lookouts homer past Smokies Wednesday night, 11-1

By Adam Kline / Smokies Radio Network

KODAK, Tenn. – The Tennessee Smokies were unable to match the Chattanooga Lookouts hit parade, suffering their second straight loss of the series, 11-1.  The Lookouts (35-24, 67-60) collected 14 hits on the night, six for home runs.  The loss puts the Smokies at 28-31 in the second half, 63-65 overall.

The Lookouts jumped out an early lead in the first inning off Smokies starting pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee when Nick Buss hit a solo home run to give Chattanooga a 1-0 advantage.  Bobby Coyle then led off the second inning with a solo shot off Rhee to extend the Lookouts lead to 2-0.

Chattanooga starter Zach Lee took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, when Dustin Harrington hit a pinch-hit double and scored one batter later on Matt Szczur’s RBI triple to narrow the Smokies deficit to 3-1.

Reliever Casey Weathers entered for Rhee and got the final out of the sixth inning, but walked the first two batters he faced and J.T. Wise cleared the bases with a three-run home run to give the Lookouts a 6-1 lead.  After walking the next batter, Weathers was replaced by Zac Rosscup who struck out the three batters he faced.

The Lookouts would score five times, on three homeruns, in the eighth inning off reliever Casey Harman.

Smokies infielder Dustin Harrington (2-for-2) collected two of the Smokies’ three hits and pitched a perfect 1-2-3 ninth inning, including striking out the last two batters he faced.

Rhee (8-8) took the loss for Tennessee allowing three runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out four in 5.2 innings.  Lee (2-3) got the win allowing one run on two hits over his seven innings of work.

The Smokies and Lookouts will play the rubber match of their five-game series on Thursday night at 7:15 at Smokies Park.  LHP Austin Kirk (1-0, 1.50) will make his Smokies Park debut and will face off against RHP Andres Santiago (0-0, 3.60).  For tickets and more information visit http://www.smokiesbaseball.com or call (865) 286-2300.

LISTEN TO GAME HIGHLIGHTS: August 22, 2012 Lookouts 11 Smokies 1