Comeback Bid Falls Short for Columbus in 7-6 Loss to Chattanooga

Late insurance runs too much to overcome for Clingstones in series opening loss.

2:11 AM UTC
Eric Hartman added his 48th extra-base hit of the season on Tuesday night.
Eric Hartman added his 48th extra-base hit of the season on Tuesday night.Maddalena LoRae

The Columbus Clingstones (28-24, 57-59) made several late rallies against the Chattanooga Lookouts (16-36, 53-68), but a three-run eighth inning from the Lookouts was enough to hold off another ninth-inning charge from the Clingstones in a 7-6 loss on Tuesday night at Erlanger Park. 

Decisive Plays: Chattanooga pieced together in the bottom of the third on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch and an RBI fielder's choice take a 2-0 lead. Columbus got a run back in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Luke Waddell. Trailing 4-2 entering the top of the eighth, Columbus cut the deficit on a throwing error from Lookouts' pitcher Cody Adcock and a sacrifice fly from Waddell. Chattanooga took the lead back in a wild bottom of the eighth with three runs in part because of a throwing error and some aggressive baserunning from Carlos Sanchez. Jordan Groshans smashed a two-run home run (27) to cut the deficit to 7-6, but a strikeout ended the game with the tying run at the plate.

Key Contributors: Groshans (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Waddell (1-for-3, 2 RBI) led the Clingstones on offense while Alex Lodise (3-for-4, 2B, RBI) posted his first three-hit night in Double-A. For Chattanooga, Sanchez (1-for-4, 2 R, RBI) scored the decisive insurance run while Cam Collier (3-for-5) had a three-hit game.

Notable: Groshans 27th home run of the season leaves him one shy of the most home runs recorded by a Braves' Double-A player since 2000. Drew Lugbauer had 28 for Mississippi in 2023. Lodise tallied his 50th extra-base hit of the season. Columbus falls to 7-15 in series openers this season. 

Next Game (Wednesday, August 26): Columbus at Chattanooga, 7:00 p.m. ET at Erlanger Park. RHP Isaac Gallegos (3-0, 4.56 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by RHP Beau Blanchard (0-4, 7.13 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.