Three-run sixth inning sinks Generals in opener

Chattanooga, Tenn. - Tied 3-3 in the sixth inning, the series opener between the Jackson Generals and Chattanooga Lookouts was anyone's game on Monday.

A three-run triple in the bottom of the sixth for Chattanooga's Alex Perez gave the home team the decisive separation, leading to an eventual 6-4 win for the Lookouts (18-13). With the victory, Chattanooga draws within 1.5 games of Jackson (19-11) in the Southern League's North Division standings.
Given an early 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the first, right-hander Sam Lewis (2-4, 6.75 ERA) could not escape the henpecks of a scrappy Chattanooga offense. The East Tennesseeans pushed runs across in each of the first three innings to pull ahead, using an RBI groundout, an infield single, and a wild-pitch for their run-scoring plays. Lewis worked into the sixth inning for the first time this season, but he could not complete the third cycle through Chattanooga's order. Joel Payamps pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out one while allowing two hits.
Six of Jackson's ten hits game from their first and third hitters, as Jose Vinicio and Jamie Westbrook teamed up for six hits, three runs, three RBI, and 12 of the Generals 16 total bases. Josh Prince contributed his first RBI as a General, but the team's cause was hurt by a .200 batting average with runners in scoring position (3-for-15). The West Tennessee squad lost for only the second time this year when producing ten or more hits.

TOP PERFORMERS - Generals
LF Jamie Westbrook - 3-4, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B
SS Jose Vinicio - 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 3B, RBI
TOP PERFORMERS - Chattanooga
CF Edgar Corcino - 2-4, 2 R, 2B
RF Chris Paul - 2-3, 2 R, RBI
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
TOP 6: With one out and two men on, Luis Lara reaches first base on an error by third baseman TJ White, loading the bases. Chattanooga starter Lewis Thorpe is removed in favor of right-hander Cody Stashak (1-0, 3.72 ERA), who faces the top of the Generals' order. Stashak survives the situation by getting a groundball forceout at home plate from Vinicio and a strikeout of Juniel Querecuto, denying the Generals the chance to nose ahead.
SCORE: CHA 3, JXN 3    
BOTTOM 6: Sam Lewis allows a single and a walk to open the bottom of the sixth, drawing a mound visit in a tie game. He wrestles TJ White into a seven-pitch, full-count strikeout to get the inning's first out, but he falls behind the next two hitters and allows hits to both, including a bases-clearing triple to right by Alex Perez. It's the last straw for Lewis, who falls victim to a big hit by Chattanooga for the second time this season. His previous start against the Lookouts (April 25) was marred by a grand slam that proved the deciding blow in a 4-3 game. 
SCORE: CHA 6, JXN 3
NEXT GAME:
6:15pm CT Tuesday (5/8) at AT&T Field (Chattanooga, TN)
LHP Alex Young (JXN-4-1, 3.66 ERA) vs. RHP Alex Young (CHA-3-1, 4.91 ERA)
NEXT GENERALS HOMESTAND:
May 12-16 vs. Mississippi Braves
Featuring: Game Of Thrones Night (Saturday, May 12)
Dial 731-988-5299 for tickets to see Jackson Generals Baseball!