LookoutsKODAK, Tenn. – Tennessee relief pitcher Frank Batista struck out Nick Buss with the bases loaded in the ninth inning Thursday night as the Smokies edged the division-leading Chattanooga Lookouts 5-4 and won the Southern League baseball series three games to two.
The Smokies jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, when Justin Bour had an RBI double to right field and Junior Lake added a two-run double to left.
Chattanooga (35-25 second half) trailed 5-1 entering the fifth inning, when Jan Vazquez, Rafael Ynoa and Buss drew walks before J.T. Wise cleared the bases with a double to left.
The Lookouts will begin a five-game home series against Jackson at AT&T Field tonight at 7:15. Matt Magill (10-7, 3.88 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound for the Lookouts, with Forrest Snow (4-5, 5.13) scheduled for the Generals.