Alex Perez’s triple to right field in the sixth inning Monday night scored Zander Wiel, Chris Paul and Brian Navaretto as the Chattanooga Lookouts won the series opener, 6-4, over Jackson at AT&T Field.
Perez’s bases-clearing hit before an announced crowd of 3,286 continued Chattanooga’s climb in the Southern League’s North Division standings. The Lookouts improved to 18-13 with the win and are just 1 1/2 games back of the 19-11 Generals.
On April 23, Jackson won a third straight game over visiting Chattanooga to improve to 15-2 and establish a 6 1/2-game lead over the 9-9 Lookouts.
Chattanooga’s triumph Monday occurred despite a stellar night from Jackson shortstop and leadoff hitter Jose Vinicio, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a triple. Vinicio opened the game with a double to right and eventually scored in a two-run first inning for the Generals.
The Lookouts pulled within 2-1 later in the first when Edger Corcino doubled and scored on a Nick Gordon groundout, and they tied it at 2 in the second inning when Paul singled to left, advanced to third on Navaretto’s double to left and scored on a wild pitch. Chattanooga took its first lead at 3-2 in the third on a Paul infield hit that scored Corcino, who led off that inning with a single to left.
Jackson pulled even at 3 in the fifth when Vinicio tripled to right and scored on Jamie Westbrook’s sacrifice fly to center. Vinicio’s second double of the contest scored Jose Queliz in the eighth to pull the Generals within 6-4.