The Chattanooga Lookouts started out May with the worst earned run average in the 10-member Southern League.
They headed into Monday night's series finale in Biloxi still in the league's pitching cellar, but the numbers are improving. Chattanooga had a 4.30 team ERA before Monday's 4-0 blanking of the Shuckers, which reflected another enhanced performance following a 5.22 ERA through the season's first month.
"We were falling behind (batters) in April, and now we're doing a better job of attacking the zone," Lookouts pitching coach Danny Darwin said. "You're never really comfortable, but I think we're more comfortable now with the Double-A atmosphere and learning the hitters. We're able to do scouting reports better, because we've seen some of these teams one or two times.
"These guys have good arms, and they know how to pitch. Hopefully we can continue to get better. The biggest thing is that these guys are learning."
The Lookouts, whose .244 team batting average ranks second in the league to Tennessee, jumped out against Biloxi on Monday with Ibandel Isabel's two-run home run to left field. The homer was Isabel's ninth this season.
RBI singles in the fourth inning by Brantley Bell and starting pitcher Tony Santillan enabled Chattanooga to extend its lead to 4-0.
Chattanooga is off Tuesday before beginning a five-game series Wednesday evening at AT&T Field against Birmingham, which will provide the Lookouts another opportunity to improve on the mound.
"Danny's philosophy is to allow them to go out there the first few starts and the first few times out of the bullpen and let them do what they do," manager Pat Kelly said. "Then after that, we sit down and make a couple of corrections. Danny has done a great job of being patient with those guys."
Said Darwin: "We've changed a few things on a couple of guys, and they've become accustomed to the Double-A life. Hitters don't chase balls as much, so our guys are having to learn more in terms of how to pitch."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.