The Columbus Clingstones (28-25, 57-60) never led but were always in the game in a narrow 3-2 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts (17-36, 54-68) on Wednesday night at Erlanger Park.
Decisive Plays: Isaac Gallegos stranded the bases loaded in the second inning to keep the game scoreless. Neither team scored into the fifth inning, when Chattanooga took the lead on a wild pitch from Rolddy Munoz. Columbus tied the game on an RBI fielder's choice in the sixth inning, but the Lookouts responded with two runs in the home half on an RBI groundout from Cade Hunter and an RBI single from Austin Hendrick to lead 3-1. Eric Hartman drove in a run in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 3-2. Down 3-2 in the ninth, Columbus got the tying run to second base, but Hartman struck out to end the game.
Key Contributors: Carey (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Archer Brookman (2-for-3) posted multi-hit nights for Columbus while Gallegos (3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO) pitched well in his first career start. For Chattanooga, Beau Blanchard (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) spun a strong start while Alfredo Duno (3-for-4, 2 2B) performed well in his return to the lineup.
Notable: Columbus falls to 17-20 this season in 1-run games. Jordan Groshans extended his franchise-record hit streak to 15 games. Hayden Harris worked 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in his return to Double-A. Columbus has yet to lead in this series.
Next Game (Thursday, August 27): Columbus at Chattanooga, 7:00 p.m. ET at Erlanger Park. RHP Ian Mejia (0-9, 8.30 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by RHP Luke Hayden (1-1, 7.59 ERA) for Chattanooga. Radio Broadcast: 6:45 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.
Next Home Game (Tuesday, September 1): Columbus vs. Pensacola, 7:06 p.m. ET at Synovus Park. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.