Aaron Slegers gave up two earned runs over six innings in a no-decision start Sunday.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Jackson, Tenn. - Tim Lopes ripped a walk-off single to right field in the 11th inning Sunday, giving the Generals a 4-3 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts in Jackson. Lopes tied the game with a two-run single in the sixth as well.
Sunday's loss dropped the Lookouts into fifth place in the Southern League North Division race, 1.0 game behind the Tennessee Smokie.
The Smokies and Lookouts open a five-game series Wednesday night at AT&T Field in downtown Chattanooga.
In the 11th, Lookouts' reliever Mike Strong (0-2, 11.17) retired Leon Landry before D.J. Peterson smashed a double just out of the reach of right fielder Dan Palka to put the winning run in scoring position. Lopes followed by smacking a 1-2 offering down the line in right to score Peterson and end the contest.
Sam Gaviglio got the start for Jackson on his 26th birthday, and cruised through seven after struggling in the opening frame. The righty gave up three runs on four hits and an error in the first inning. Gaviglio ended up going seven innings en route to his third quality start, striking out four without issuing a walk or allowing a run after the first.. He needed 10 or fewer pitches to retire the side in four different innings.
Jackson responded right away in the bottom of the first, as Ian Miller led off with his fifth triple of the season and scored on a sac fly by Benji Gonzalez. Miller leads the circuit with five three-baggers, and the Generals have 17 as a team.
Both teams were quiet with the bats until the sixth, when the Generals finally got to Chattanooga starter Aaron Slegers. Guillermo Heredia and D.J. Peterson both walked and a passed ball pushed both men into scoring position. Tim Lopes came through with a knock to center, scoring both men to tie the game at three.
Slegers went six innings, striking out a season-high eight while allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. Jake Reed struck out five in three nearly spotless frames before Strong took the defeat in relief.
Jackson looks take four of five against Chattanooga on Monday with lefty Ryan Yarbrough (4-1, 2.89) on the hill against Lookouts' right-hander Ryan Eades (2-2, 5.00). First pitch from The Ballpark at Jackson is slated for 8:05 p.m.
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