Down on the Farm: Iowa, Kane County winners once again

Double-A Tennessee Smokies

In a classic pitchers’ duel, Tennessee and Chattanooga played to a 1-0 final, with the Lookouts scoring what turned out to be the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning against Tony Zych on an RBI single to left field.

The ninth started with Dae-Eun Rhee on the hill for the Smokies and the rally started against him with a one-out single off the bat of Jon Garcia. Casio Grider then entered the game for Lookouts as a pinch-runner, promptly stealing second base to give the guests a runner in scoring position with just one out.

Rhee set down pinch hitter O’Koyea Dickinson on a fly ball to center field, but Grider advanced to third with two outs in the frame. The next batter, Darnell Sweeney, was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the corners with still two outs. It was at this point Zych entered the game, and the first batter he faced, Ozzie Martinez, lined the game-winning single into left to sink the Smokies at home.

The Tennessee offense was sporadic, at best, on Thursday, tallying just four base hits on the night. The club did, however, show patience at the plate, drawing seven walks against Chattanooga pitching, which helped offset the fact that no Smokies player had multiple hits in the game.

Jake Arrieta started the game for the Smokies, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four. He was consistently around the zone, locating 40 of his 66 pitches for strikes.

Martinez led the offense for Chattanooga, collected three hits on the night, raising his season average to .240 in the process. Catcher J.C. Boscan also added a pair of base hits, raising his clip on the year to .375.

With the loss, Tennessee falls to 2-5 on the year, while the Lookouts move to 3-4. The Smokies are in action again Friday night against Chattanooga, with first pitch slated for 6:15 p.m. CT.

FINAL: Smokies 0 Lookouts 1