The Chattanooga Lookouts exploded for double-digit runs in the seventh inning and handed the Knoxville Smokies a 13-3 loss Sept. 3 at Covenant Health Park.
The Lookouts scored all 13 runs in the final four frames, including a 10-run seventh inning. The Smokies are now down 2-1 in their final home series of the season before playoff baseball comes to Covenant Health Park for the first time later this month.
"You don't get too many of those double-digit innings," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News. "Played a real good game until the seventh. The wheels kind of came off."
Knoxville pieced together three consecutive run-scoring hits in the third inning to take a three-run lead. Smokies starter Jake Knapp carried the lead through his five-inning
start, allowed just three baserunners. In his first appearance since returning from an injury, Knapp struck out four batters without surrendering a walk.
The Lookouts cut into the Smokies lead after Knapp exited the game, plating two runs in the sixth inning to make the score 3-2. Knoxville reliever Jackson Brockett continued to struggle in the seventh, issuing back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to put Chattanooga ahead 4-3.
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Later in the inning, Chattanooga first baseman Cade Hunter piled on the runs with a bases-clearing double to give the Lookouts a five-run advantage. Third baseman Cam Collier put the icing on the cake with a home run to make it a 10-run frame.
Smokies player of the game, top moments: Thursday, Sept. 3
Player of the game: Jake Knapp hadn't pitched at Covenant Health Park since May 22, but the right-handed starter tossed five shutout innings and exited with the lead Thursday. It was the first time in his Double-A career Knapp lasted five innings. "He breezed," Rymel said. "Honestly, looked like we could send him back out there for the sixth."
- Attacking the bullpen: Chattanooga didn't have an answer for Knapp, but it did jump on Jackson Brockett as soon as he entered the game. Brockett was tagged for seven earned runs in his lone inning of work. Chattanooga scored all 13 runs off Smokies' relievers.
- Clearing the bags: Knoxville cleared the bases twice in Tuesday's series opener, but Chattanooga's nine-hole hitter returned the favor Thursday. Cade Hunter delivered the fatal blow in Game 3 with a three-run double in the seventh.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
Knoxville is down 2-1 in the series after Thursday's loss. Here are the remaining promotions at Covenant Health Park while the Lookouts are in town:
- 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4: Chick-fil-A Friday (two tickets and two coupons for $48), Feel-Good Friday, Knoxville Ice Bears Night in collaboration with Vols of Honor
- 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5: Fan Appreciation Night, Summer Fireworks Series
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6: Squeezable Cube Giveaway (first 500 kids receive free squeezable cube)
Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and are in second place in the Southern League North.
Southern League North standings
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (31-28 second half, 66-61 overall)
- Knoxville Smokies (30-29 second half, 68-60 overall)
- Birmingham Barons (29-30 second half, 55-73 overall)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (21-39 second half, 58-71 overall)
Southern League South standings
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (37-21 second half, 73-54 overall)
- Columbus Clingstones (32-27 second half, 61-62 overall)
- Montgomery Biscuits (30-29 second half, 65-63 overall)
- Biloxi Shuckers (26-33 second half, 61-63 overall)
** Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. Sept. 3.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: trevor.mcgee@knoxnews.com; X: @TrevorMcGee12
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville Smokies collapse, giving up 10-run inning in loss to Lookouts
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