There are numerous highs and lows throughout the course of a 140-game Southern League season.
The 2017 Chattanooga Lookouts took exception to that, experiencing a plethora of good times through a 91-win regular season that set a franchise record and during a playoff run that yielded a league co-championship. This season's Lookouts are much more typical, with Tuesday's 5-4 victory over Biloxi at AT&T Field just the 10th triumph for Chattanooga in its last 34 games.
The Lookouts' current skid followed a stretch in early May in which they won 16 of 18 games.
"We just need to keep battling," manager Tommy Watkins said Tuesday. "We went through some injuries and some promotions, and things like that happen. We need to keep playing the game the right way and doing the little things.
"This team that we've been playing is really good. They won the first half in the other division, but what we're going through is a part of the game. I think we'll get back on track."
The Lookouts prevailed Tuesday before an announced crowd of 2,636 on Chris Paul's single to left field with two out in the ninth inning that scored Alex Perez. The Shuckers had rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the top of the ninth on RBI singles by Clint Coulter, Max McDowell and Troy Stokes Jr.
With Tuesday's win, which snapped a four-game losing streak, the Lookouts improved to 2-4 in the second half and to 38-37 for the season.
Chattanooga was 28-14 and had a five-game lead in the North Division's first-half race on May 19, but that's when veteran outfielder LaMonte Wade went on the disabled list. Veteran infielder Nick Gordon was promoted to Triple-A three days later, and their absences coupled with struggles on the mound resulted in a slide that cost the Lookouts the first-half crown.
The second half began last Thursday, and the Lookouts insist there is no lasting effect from letting a first-half title and accompanying playoff berth slip from their grasp.
"You can't let it have a lingering effect," Lookouts outfielder Zander Wiel said. "There are two halves to a season, and that's how the playoffs get decided. The first half is over, and we've got to do what we can to bring it out here every day.
"You've got to be ready for changes to your roster, because they're going to come. It's a matter of the next guy up bringing the same mentality to the ballpark every day and grinding it out no matter what your roster looks like that day."
Wiel, who is hitting .306 in his first Double-A season, has been on the disabled list since June 10 but hopes to return this week.
Watkins hasn't sensed a downturn in morale during the past few weeks, and he is not one to overdo a team speech.
"You have to address morale, but I think you have to pick and choose the right time," Watkins said. "It can backfire if you do it too much. We don't do it very often, but maybe it's time.
"Maybe it's time I get thrown out of a game."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.