Chattanooga Lookouts logoThe Chattanooga Lookouts nearly needed a spinoff streak during its surge of the past two weeks.
Chattanooga had its 11-game winning streak halted Thursday night in a 5-4 Southern League loss to Jacksonville at AT&T Field. Joe Benson's two-run single to left field in the top of the ninth inning doomed the Lookouts, who had grown accustomed to not only wins but shutouts.
The staff of Lookouts pitching coach Scott Radinsky entered Thursday having produced four shutouts in the past five games.
"I knew a long time ago about the quality of the pitching coach we had," Lookouts manager Razor Shines said. "Scott is really good, and I knew that down the road that the work that he was putting in was going to pay off, and I think that's what you're seeing. These arms haven't changed. These are the same kids who were getting knocked around, and now it's a different story.
"It's been unbelievable, and I think Radinsky has been the key."
Matt Shelton, who pitched the Lookouts to a 3-0 win at Montgomery last Friday, gave up two runs in five innings Thursday. Daniel Mayora's three-run double to left in the fifth inning put Chattanooga (25-26) up 3-2, but the Suns pulled even in the seventh.
Andres Santiago started Tuesday's shutout win over the Suns, with Nick Struck doing the same Wednesday.
"We're all kind of challenging each other right now," Struck said. "I live with Shelton, and he and I always bicker back and forth about who is going to go more innings and who is not going to give up any runs. I think it's kind of rubbing off on everyone else.
"Guys have gone through some tough times, especially in the first half and earlier this half, but we've always worked together. Now it's a lot of fun."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.