An early hole proved too deep to climb out of Tuesday night for the Chattanooga Lookouts in an 11-5 loss to Mobile at AT&T Field.
The BayBears (31-26) touched Lookouts starting pitcher Sean Poppen (0-2) for three runs in the second inning and added six in the fourth in winning for the second consecutive night.
Brendan Sanger had a three-run home run in the second inning and a run-scoring single in the fourth for a 4-0 lead before Brennon Lund added a two-run double to end Poppen's night and Jose Rojas hit a two-run homer off Chattanooga reliever Ryan Eades.
Lund went 3-for-5 with three RBIs in the game.
The Lookouts (33-25) matched Mobile's 13 hits but left 13 runners on base. Chris Paul had a two-run homer in the sixth, and Brent Rooker, Edgar Corcino, James Ramsey, Alex Perez and Sean Miller each had two hits.
Jose Rodriguez (5-5) picked up the win for Mobile after going five innings and allowing eight hits and four runs while striking out six.
Chattanooga continues to hold a one-game lead on Jackson in the Southern League's North division after Jackson lost to Tennessee, 10-2. The Smokies (30-28) moved to within three games of the Lookouts with the win.
The series continues this morning at 11:15 as Anthony Marzi goes to the mound for the Lookouts against Mobile's Joe Gatto.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22.