Lookouts jump on Braves early, cruise to 7-2 victory

CHATTANOOGA, TN -- In game three of the five-game series at AT&T Field, Chattanooga took advantage of seven walks by M-Braves pitchers to take an early lead and never looked back, claiming a 7-2 win Wednesday evening. The Lookouts won the Southern League North Division First Half Title and are on the verge of claiming the Second Half Title, as their "magic number" against Montgomery now sits at six.
In the bottom of the first, Chattanooga (41-17, 83-45) scored three runs on three walks and two doubles, all with two outs. LaMonte Wade Jr reached base on a two-out walk to get it started. Jonathan Rodriguez walked before back-to-back doubles by Max Murphy and T.J. White plated Wade, Rodriguez and Murphy. Ryan Walker walked, but was left stranded as the Lookouts grounded out to end the inning.

Mississippi (17-39, 51-75) got on the board in the fourth when Alex Jackson hit a two-out single and scored on a Joey Meneses double to right field, cutting the Lookouts lead to 3-1.
Chattanooga responded and scored the rest of their runs in the bottom half of the frame. White led off with walk and move to second on Walker's single. Levi Michael loaded the bases with a single. Nick Gordon then hit into a fielder's choice force out at home. Edgar Corcino followed with a single to right, scoring Walker and Michael with Gordon taking third on the throw. Corcino then stole second before Wade delivered a two-run double to center field, making it a 7-1 game.
In the top of the eighth, Austin Riley extended his season high hitting streak to nine games with a one-out single to center. Riley advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Meneses' single to right.
The Braves used three pitchers during the game with Tyler Pike getting the start and taking the loss. Pike went 3.2 innings, giving up all seven runs on six hits, six walks and five strikeouts. Devan Watts pitched 3.1 innings, allowing only one hit while striking out two. Mauricio Cabrera tossed the eighth, giving up one hit and a walk with two strikeouts.
Game four of the five game series at AT&T Field is set for Thursday at 6:15 PM (CT). RHP Touki Toussaint (1-3) gets the start for Mississippi, and Chattanooga sends RHP Fernando Romero (11-8) to the mound.
Mississippi (17-39, 51-75)     2R      6H     0E
Chattanooga (41-17, 83-45) 7R      8H     1E
Win: Anthony McIver (1-0)
Loss: Tyler Pike (0-8)
Save: None
Time: 2:40
Att: 1,415