Chattanooga Lookouts lose series opener

Friday, January 1, 1904

The Chattanooga Lookouts lost for the fourth time in five games Friday night at a soggy AT&T Field. But at least there were no extra innings this night.

On Thursday the Lookouts finished their road series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos with a third straight extra-inning game. In their return to AT&T Field, the Lookouts got behind early and couldn't complete the comeback, falling 4-3 to the Tennessee Smokies.

With Lookouts starting pitcher Zach Lee struggling early, the Smokies (21-19) were able to score four runs in the second inning. They had a walk, a single and an RBI double in that inning, and a batter reached on a strikeout-wild pitch that allowed a runner to score. Another single brought in two runs.

The Lookouts' first run came in the fourth. Joc Pederson reached on a one-out infield single and Yasiel Puig drove him in with a double to deep right field to make it 4-1.

Chris Jacobs cut the deficit to 4-3 in the seventh with a towering two-run home run over the wall in left. Smokies left fielder Ty Wright didn't even move after the ball left Jacobs' bat.

In the ninth, Puig was on third with two outs and Jacobs at the plate. Jacobs struck out on a close call to end the game.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis began a rehab assignment with the Lookouts (16-25). The Dodgers placed Ellis on the disabled list on May 6 due to a right quadriceps injury -- he hadn't played since April 26 -- and he worked out at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday before being sent to Chattanooga.

Ellis was in the game for three innings, grounding out in his only at-bat.

Along with Ellis, the Dodgers sent pitcher Scott Elbert to Chattanooga for a rehab assignment. The Lookouts also activated second baseman Omar Luna.

Chris Reed (1-4, 5.49 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound tonight for the Lookouts, with Dallas Beeler (3-2, 3.14) set to go for the Smokies.

Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268.