KODAK, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies used a four-run sixth inning to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts Sunday evening in front of 3,473 at Smokies Park, 6-5.  

The Lookouts hold a 2 1/2 lead over Jackson and have a six game lead over the rest of the field. 

Current Standings

Tennessee starter Dallas Beeler wasn't fooling the Lookouts' offense early, as Chattanooga scored three times in the first two innings on home runs by Luis Nunez and Griff Erickson to give them an early 3-0 lead.

Inning by inning Recap of the game.

Lookouts starter Matt Magill was sailing along early with seven strikeouts in just four innings. The Smokies finally got to Magill in the fifth inning, plating two runs in the frame. Matt Cerda led off with a single then came around to score on a pinch-hit double by Mike Burgess. Following a groundout by Matt Szczur, Burgess scored on a Logan Watkins single to narrow the Smokies deficit, 3-2.

Tennessee continued their offensive attack on the Lookouts in the sixth. Bour hit a leadoff single and was safe at second as Jake Lemmerman committed a throwing error on the force attempt on a groundball from Junior Lake and Rubi Silva loaded the bases with a bunt single. Cerda followed with a groundball to second that allowed Bour to score and a wild throw allowed Lake to score. Chad Noble brought in Silva and Cerda with a two-run single to center to give Tennessee the 6-3 lead. 

Magill (10-7) went five innings giving up four earned runs on seven hits.

Chattanooga scored a single run in the seventh inning off reliever Kevin Rhoderick. Following back-to-back walks, Erickson grounded to Bour at first base, who got the first out at second base, but a throwing error by Junior Lake allowed a run to score and narrow the Smokies lead, 6-4.

In the ninth, Smokies closer Frank Batista came in to seal the game for Tennessee. Joe Becker led off the inning with a single and a second error by Lake put two runners on base. Two batters later, Rafael Yona hit a single to right field to plate a single run, but Batista was able to get Nick Buss to pop out and secure the win for the Smokies. 

Box  Score

The Smokies and Lookouts will play Game Two of their five-game series on Monday at 7:15 p.m. at Smokies Park.

RHP Nick Struck (13-10, 3.48) will start for the Smokies and Chattanooga will counter with LHP Aaron Miller (6-6, 4.46).