Lookouts complete 9-1 homestand with victory over Smokies

Chattanooga have capped off a 9-1 homestand with an 8-6 victory against the Tennessee Smokies, rallying for four runs in the seventh to move at least 3 1/2 games clear of the second-placed Jackson Generals.

Chattanooga have capped off a 9-1 homestand with an 8-6 victory against the Tennessee Smokies, rallying for four runs in the seventh to move at least 3 1/2 games clear of the second-placed Jackson Generals.
Trailing 5-4 at the stretch, the Lookouts loaded the bases in the seventh inning thanks to a walk and a pair of singles from LaMonte Wade Jr and Brent Rooker. With Zander Wiel at the plate, Smokies right-hander Daury Torrez threw one in the dirt that got away from catcher Erick Castillo. Tanner English scored easily from third and he was followed in by Wade, who came flying around from second base to plate the go-ahead run. An RBI single from Wiel and an RBI double from T.J. White ensued, leading Chattanooga to an 8-5 lead they would never relinquish.
Brent Rooker's fifth inning home run was the fourth of his 2018 campaign and the third in his last three games, while LaMonte Wade drove in a pair of runs for the second time in his last three games. Right-hander Sam Clay became the seventh Lookouts pitcher to pick up a save this season, surrendering one run across two innings of work to close out the game.
The Lookouts will now square off in a five-game series in Biloxi as the the two division leaders meet for the first time this season. LHP Lewis Thorpe (0-3, 5.17 ERA) takes the bump for Chattanooga opposite RHP Thomas Jankins (6-1, 3.02 ERA).