Generals Sweep Thursday Twin Bill

Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals rallied to sweep a Thursday doubleheader over the Chattanooga Lookouts, posting victories of 10-6 and 4-0 while also claiming a series victory. Jackson won the five-game series, 3-2, for its first series victory since winning a five-game set against the Mississippi Braves last month.

Both offenses exploded in game one with large early rallies. The Lookouts deposited four runs in the first inning of Thursday's opener, but the Generals struck back in the second with a six-run go-ahead rally. Jackson took a 6-4 lead during the frame on Marcus Littlewood's two-run double.

Chattanooga tied the first contest in the top of the fifth before Jackson surged back ahead in the home half of the inning. Kennys Vargas cleared the right field wall with his sixth Double-A home run, a two-run shot that tied the game at 6-6. The Generals answered in the bottom of the fifth when Tyler Bortnick hit a two-run double for an 8-6 Jackson edge.

Jordy Lara opened a strong doubleheader performance with two hits, two runs batted in and two runs scored in game one. Lara delivered a two-run homer in the sixth inning, using his sixth home run of the season to push Jackson to its winning margin of 10-6. Generals reliever Matt Anderson (3-5) earned the victory in the opener over Lookouts starting pitcher Greg Peavey (6-4).

Jackson (13-26, 42-65) dominated Thursday's nightcap with stellar southpaw pitching. Starter Kyle Hunter allowed just one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings while adding four strikeouts. Reliever Brian Moran received credit for the victory and improved to 2-0 with a pair of shutout innings behind Hunter.

The Generals touched Lookouts southpaw David Hurlbut (7-6) with a pair of quick two-run rallies. In the first inning, Dan Paolini had an RBI double that preceded a sacrifice double play from Littlewood that also scored a run. Luis Caballero and Tyler Smith stretched Jackson's lead to 4-0 in the second inning with RBI doubles of their own.

Chattanooga (15-23, 58-48) loaded the bases in the sixth inning of game two but failed to put a dent in a 4-0 Jackson advantage. After the first three Lookouts reached safely, Richard Vargas bounced back with two strikeouts. Tyler Knigge relieved Vargas and halted the potential rally with a strikeout of his own. Knigge recorded his first save as a member of the Generals by closing out the doubleheader sweep.

Prior to this series win, the last Generals series victory came July 8 when Jackson won the rubber game of a five-game set at the Mississippi Braves. Its last home series win occurred May 15 when Jackson defeated the Biloxi Shuckers in a five-game series. During Thursday's doubleheader, Jackson totaled 12 extra-base hits with Lara's home run and 11 doubles.

Coming up, Jackson travels to Kodak, Tennessee for a five-game road series at the Tennessee Smokies. Game one is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT Friday and features Jackson southpaw Misael Siverio (4-10, 4.27) and Tennessee right-hander Felix Pena (5-7, 4.15). Fans can listen to the contest on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1 and 94.3) starting with the Jackson Generals Pregame Show protected by the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Jackson has 15 home games left on its schedule, including a 10-game homestand that stretches from Wednesday, August 12 through Saturday, August 22. There will be two State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar Night Thursdays (August 13 and 20) and Saturday fireworks for both August 15 (Elvis Night presented by Ashley Furniture and WBBJ) and August 22 (Diamond Jaxx Throwback Night sponsored by Jackson Sport and Fitness and WBBJ). For more information and to purchase tickets, call (731) 988.5299, stop by the park or visit jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.