Kennys Vargas homered and went 2-for-3 in the first game.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals rallied to sweep a Thursday doubleheader over the Chattanooga Lookouts, posting victories of 10-6 and 4-0 while also claiming a series victory. Jackson won the five-game series, 3-2.
The Lookouts blasted four runs in the first inning but could not hold the lead as the red hot Generals rallied to come from behind. Kennys Vargas was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, four RBI, a walk, a two-run home run and no strike outs.
In the top of the seventh (remember that MiLB double-headers are scheduled for just seven innings), Max Kepler and manager Doug Mientkiewicz were both ejected for arguing after Kepler thought he was hit by a pitch and home plate umpire Clint Vondrak thought it was a foul ball.
Greg Peavey started for the Lookouts, but after being staked to that early four-run lead, he gave up six runs in the second inning, and eight before he was lifted with one out in the fifth. Peavey's line for 4 1/3 innings was seven hits, eight runs (four earned) five walks, and two strike outs.
He was replaced by Jake Reed who had an adventuresome two-thirds of an inning, giving up two hits and a walk, allowing a pair of runs to score. Reed picked up one of his outs as the Lookouts caught Jackson's Zach Shank attempting to steal home. Matt Summers came on the pitch the seventh and gave up a two-run home run before retiring the side.
Jordy Lara opened a strong doubleheader performance with two hits, two runs batted in and two runs scored in game one. Lara delivered a two-run homer in the sixth inning, using his sixth home run of the season to push Jackson to its winning margin of 10-6. Generals reliever Matt Anderson (3-5) earned the victory in the opener.
Game Two: Generals 4 Lookouts 0
Jackson (13-26, 42-65) dominated Thursday's nightcap with stellar southpaw pitching. Starter Kyle Hunter allowed just one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings while adding four strikeouts.
Reliever Brian Moran received credit for the victory and improved to 2-0 with a pair of shutout innings behind Hunter.
The Lookouts managed just four hits in the second game of the evening, all singles.
Jairo Rodriguez was 2-for-3 hitting in the eighth spot in the lineup, picking up half the team's hits. The 1-tp-5 hitters for the Lookouts were a combined 2-14 with four walks and six strike outs.
David Hurlbut pitched all six innings for Chattanooga. He gave up a pair of runs in each of the first two innings, but that was all he allowed the rest of the way. On the night he gave up six hits, four earned runs, walked three and struck out three.
Chattanooga (15-23, 58-48) loaded the bases in the sixth inning of game two but failed to put a dent in a 4-0 Jackson advantage.
Game One Box
Game Two Box
After the first three Lookouts reached safely, Richard Vargas bounced back with two strikeouts. Tyler Knigge relieved Vargas and halted the potential rally with a strikeout of his own. Knigge recorded his first save as a member of the Generals by closing out the doubleheader sweep.
The Lookouts open a ten-game homestand Friday night at AT&T Field. The Mobile BayBears and Chattanooga meet at 7:15 p.m. tonight.
David Hurlbut had a decent start but had no offensive support.
photo by Tim Evearitt