The Chattanooga Lookouts have experienced their share of good news recently, with center fielder Byron Buxton joining the Minnesota Twins last Sunday and the Class AA franchise on Thursday night capturing its first Southern League first-half division title since 2006.
If only the timing could have been a little better.
Buxton had a .283 batting average and was leading the minor leagues with 12 triples at the time of his promotion. The 6-foot-2, 189-pounder from Baxley, Ga., scored the winning run in his big-league debut and tripled in his second contest, but he was not present for his former team’s clubhouse celebration.
“He’s definitely a good player, and it would be nice to still have him on the team, but we’re all really happy and excited for him,” Lookouts left fielder Adam Walker said. “Hopefully one day we can all join him.”
The Lookouts (42-25) rallied past Jacksonville 7-4 Saturday night at AT&T Field for their third consecutive victory and 13th triumph in 15 contests. They will play their final game of the first half this afternoon at 2:15 before taking a three-day break for Southern League all-star game festivities.
Montgomery is hosting the all-star game, which takes place Tuesday night.
Buxton was among several prominent promotions to the big leagues this spring, joining Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (April 17), Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (April 21) and Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (June 7). A call-up to the majors can leave those behind with mixed emotions, and it’s been no different for Lookouts first-year manager Doug Mientkiewicz.
“For me, it has to be next man up,” Mientkiewicz said. “You’re happy for the kid, obviously, and that’s kind of our job, but at the same time you’re here and you have to figure out what’s best for the other 24 guys who are here. We don’t get much of a say. We just get told who is going where.
“It’s his first time and that’s exciting, and he had been playing really well for us in the last month.”
The Lookouts are 6-1 since Buxton’s promotion, getting that sixth win Saturday night on the strength of Travis Harrison’s double to left field in the seventh inning that scored Niko Goodrum, Miguel Sano and Max Kepler. That turned a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 advantage.
Buxton hasn’t had as much to celebrate since his first two games in the majors, entering today’s game against the visiting Chicago Cubs with an .091 average.
“I would have liked to have had him the whole year,” Mientkiewicz said. “I know I’ve told you that before, but things can change in the big leagues. What happens in the big leagues is out of my control, so the only thing I can focus on is this team in Chattanooga and trying to make it play to the best of its ability every night.”
Greg Peavey (6-2, 4.66) is scheduled to start today’s first-half finale for the Lookouts, with Scott Lyman (0-1, 7.36) scheduled for the Suns.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.