The Chattanooga Lookouts ended a string of close losses at home with a close win.
Dalton Hicks scored on a bases-loaded groundout for the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and Jake Reed finished off a stellar effort by three Lookouts pitchers in a 2-1 win against Pensacola on Friday night in front of an announced crowd of 5,021 at AT&T Field.
Reed struck out two in the ninth to earn his first save of the season, and he also worked the eighth, recovering after back-to-back singles and an infield error threatened the slim lead. He gave up three hits total.
Mason Melotakis pitched a perfect eighth after starter Ryan Eades (2-2) exited having allowed an unearned run on one hit and three walks while striking out three.
The Lookouts (15-20) had lost three straight to the Blue Wahoos (21-14) by a combined four runs after opening the five-game series with Monday’s 12-3 win.
Chattanooga opened the scoring Friday in the first when Shannon Wilkerson’s one-out single was followed by Daniel Palka’s double to left field. Palka moved to third on Hicks’ single but was left stranded.
Pensacola answered in the third with a sacrifice fly by Tony Renda. That scored Eric Jagielo, who had reached on a leadoff walk.
The Lookouts start a five-game home series with the Biloxi Shuckers at 7:15 tonight. D.J. Baxendale (2-4, 2.86) is slated to start for Chattanooga, with Biloxi’s starter to be determined.