Tuesday night represented a new beginning for the Chattanooga Lookouts, and possibly a new beginning for pitcher Brent Leach as well.
Leach, who made 38 relief appearances last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers but has backtracked since, struck out six in five scoreless innings as the Lookouts dumped Birmingham 5-1 at AT&T Field. It was the Southern League second-half opener for both teams.
“I’ve been to the top of the mountain, and now I’m just wanting to get back,” Leach said. “It’s not going to be easy, because this game humbles you quick. I’ve been humbled, and I’m hungry.”
The 27-year-old left-hander opened last season in Chattanooga and was promoted within the first month to Los Angeles after going 0-1 with an 0.69 earned run average in nine games. He went 2-0 with a 5.75 ERA with the Dodgers before getting sent down July 30 to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Leach began this season in Albuquerque and went 3-2 with a 6.62 ERA in 21 games before returning to the Lookouts on June 9. His final three appearances in Triple-A were starts, but they resulted in an 0-1 record and an 11.74 ERA.