Scott Van Slyke homered to lead off the 11th inning Sunday as Chattanooga (34-21) prevailed 3-2 in the series opener and extended its lead over Tennessee (32-24) to 2 1/2 games in the North Division with 18 games remaining.
Stephen Fife worked eight innings, allowing two runs (one earned), and Shawn Tolleson came in after Van Slyke’s homer and notched his 10th save.
The Lookouts trailed 2-0 in the fifth when Alfredo Silverio’s two-out double to center scored Brian Cavazos-Galvez, and Travis Denker’s sacrifice to left in the sixth scored Alex Castellanos to tie the game.
Game two of a five-game series at Tennessee is tonight at 7:15.
Michael Antonini (9-8, 3.94) is scheduled to start for the Lookouts, with Eric Jokisch (0-0, 9.00) scheduled for the Smokies.