Carlos Rojas' three-run double capped the Smokies' five-run eighth inning as Tennessee rallied for a 6-4 win over visiting Chattanooga Tuesday afternoon.
The loss came after an outstanding performance by Lookouts starter Luke Lockwood. Lockwood yielded a run on just four hits over six frames.
Paul Janish continued to punish the opposing pitcher as he went 3-5 with a run scored. Janish is 9-for-16 over his last four games with three doubles, a triple and a home run. Tyrell Godwin went 2-5 with a double and a run. Drew Anderson went 1-4 with a run, walk and RBI. Ryan Hanigan went 3-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.
Mike Bumatay (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on four hits in an inning of work.
Rojas' big hit saved rehabbing Chicago Cubs right-hander Wade Miller from being saddled with a loss. The 30-year-old Miller, sidelined since April 21 with back spasms, allowed three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He threw 86 pitches before being removed from the ballgame.
Sam Fuld singled to start the decisive eighth inning and Chris Robinson followed with a walk to chase reliever Carlos Bohorquez. Bumatay entered and allowed a single to Jake Fox to load the bases. After pitcher Donald Veal struck out, Ismael Salas and Joseph Simokaitis hit back-to-back RBI singles. Rojas followed with his game-winning two-bagger, which gave Tennessee (19-18) the win.
Fox's eighth-inning single capped a 4-for-4 afternoon. The Indiana native blasted his team-leading sixth home run in the fourth inning.
The Smokies' rally made a fortunate winner of Veal (2-4), who allowed a run on three hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings. Geoffrey Jones entered in the ninth with a runner on first and two outs and struck out Drew Anderson to end the ballgame and pick up his fifth save in as many opportunities.
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The final game of the five-game series takes place Wednesday at 11:15 a.m.
The game can be heard over 1310 AM radio or over the Internet at lookouts.com.
Chattanooga returns home Thursday night to open a series with the Mobile Baybears. Game time is 7:15 p.m.
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Adapted from article on the Minor League Baseball website.