The Chattanooga Lookouts will host their final game of the Southern League’s first half this morning when they face Jacksonville in the series finale at AT&T Field.
They will do so with a chance to reach .500 for the first time all season.
Shannon Wilkerson had three hits, Daniel Palka drove in two runs and Aaron Slegers allowed two runs in seven innings as Chattanooga topped the Suns 5-2 Wednesday night before an announced crowd of 2,550. The Lookouts improved to 29-30 with 11 games remaining before the schedule resets with a new 70-game slate.
“We’re playing better, but we just haven’t been seeing it in terms of those long winning streaks,” Lookouts second-year manager Doug Mientkiewicz said. “I like where we are right now. We’re progressing the way we should, and guys are picking each other up.
“Hopefully we can reach .500 or even be above .500 before the second half starts and can hopefully be in a better position to take the second half.”
The Jackson Generals began Wednesday with a nine-game lead over Montgomery in the North Division and a 10-game lead on Chattanooga. The Lookouts could be eliminated from the first-half race within the next couple of days, but they enter this morning’s 11:15 matchup having won 10 of their past 14 games and four of their past five.
“Everybody is on the upside and kind of positive right now,” Palka said.
Jacksonville committed five errors Wednesday night, including two by third baseman Brian Anderson that allowed Levi Michael and Leo Reginatto to reach to open the bottom of the first inning. A Palka single to right field scored Michael to put the Lookouts up 1-0.
The Lookouts made it 4-0 with a three-run fourth inning, which started with a single to center by Engelb Vielma, who scored on a passed ball. Stuart Turner opened the fifth inning with a home run to left, which made it 5-1.
Kohl Stewart (0-0, 21.60) is scheduled to start today’s game for the Lookouts, with Patrick Johnson (2-1, 4.14) scheduled for the Suns. Chattanooga’s next home game after today will be against Jackson on June 23, which is the opening night of the second half.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.