Generals drop Fourth of July opener at Chattanooga, 5-2

Chattanooga, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, saw too many fireworks from their opponent on Thursday, losing a 5-2 contest to the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field.

With the series-opening defeat, the Generals (45-40) fell to 12-23 this year when their opponent hits a home run. Chattanooga (44-40) now leads the season series, 6-5.
A freshly activated Emilio Vargas (1-2, 5.49 ERA) struggled in his first Double-A outing since May 9, conceding three home runs to a Lookouts offense that leads the league in on-base-plus-slugging. Two of the homers came in the opening frame, as Jose Siri and Mitch Nay both took Vargas deep to send the Lookouts ahead, 3-1. Chris Okey hit a solo shot in the second inning that made the margin 4-1, which is where things stood until the eighth inning. Vargas left the hill after five frames, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out three men without walking a batter. Bryan Valdez allowed an Alfredo Rodriguez homer in the eighth that gave Montgomery their final tally of the night, and Matt Brill had to enter to finish the eighth inning with a strikeout.
Offensively, the Generals scored in their first at-bat against Scott Moss (6-3, 3.36 ERA), as Pavin Smith singled home Daulton Varsho for a 1-0 Generals lead. Moss would go on to work six innings in total with just that one run allowed, striking out seven men with one walk while scattering eight hits. Wyatt Strahan and Cory Thompson collected holds in relief, and Juan Martinez (S, 5) finished the night by working the final one and one-third innings for the save. Jackson managed just two extra-base hits, including a solo homer by Jamie Westbrook in the eighth inning that cut the lead to 4-2. Westbrook and Smith each finished with three-hit nights, while Varsho added a pair. The Generals are now 7-11 in series-opening games this year.
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
6:15 pm CT Friday (7/5) at Chattanooga Lookouts
AT&T Field - Chattanooga, Tenn.
RHP Bo Takahashi (5-4, 3.18 ERA) vs. Chattanooga pitcher TBA
BROADCAST: Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball Network
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
July 11-17: Generals vs. Birmingham Barons (AA, Chicago White Sox)
…featuring Sarge's Carnival (July 12-13) and "A Christmas Story'…in July" (July 13)!
 
The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. The Generals play at The Ballpark at Jackson, Tennessee's 2017 & 2018 Pro Sports Field of the Year. Purchase your tickets to see the 2018 Southern League champions today by calling 731.988.5299 or visiting JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!