The Chattanooga Lookouts got some of their offensive fireworks out of the way early Monday at AT&T Field, and newcomer pitcher Randy LeBlanc handled most of the rest in a 13-0 victory over the Mississippi Braves.
First-half North Division winner Jackson lost 5-3 and 6-1 at Biloxi in a doubleheader Monday. That knocked the Generals down to second place in the division in the second half at 36-26.
Chattanooga (71-62 overall, 35-28) is battling now first-place Montgomery (71-62, 37-26) for the second-half playoff spot from the North Division. The Biscuits also played a doubleheader Monday and won both games at Mobile, 7-0 and 8-3.
If Jackson wins the second half, whichever team has the next best season-long record in the North will get the other playoff spot.
The Lookouts have seven games left in the second half.
Zach Granite sparked the Lookouts’ five-run rally in the first inning with a leadoff bunt single. An errant pickoff throw advanced him to second, and then he stole third – his 52nd steal of the season.
Walks to T.J. White and Travis Harrison loaded the bases for D.J. Hicks, who singled to center field and drove in two runs.
Braves starter Michael Mader (0-3) allowed his third walk, this one to Edgar Corcino, and Stuart Turner followed with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-0. Nico Goodrum singled in Hicks, and one out later Levi Michael grounded a single to left to plate the final run of the inning.
Chattanooga didn’t score again until a four-run seventh, which it followed with a four-run eighth.
“We do a good job early,” Lookouts manager Doug Mientkiewicz said. “It’s the middle innings where we struggle. You saw that tonight. The guys had better at-bats toward the end.”
LeBlanc in his first start with the Lookouts threw seven innings and allowed five hits. He walked two and had five strikeouts.
“This was the first time we’d seen him,” Mientkiewicz said. “Out of necessity he came up from A ball. He had a good sinker and good control of his breaking ball. He threw strikes and got ground balls when he needed them.”
Shortstop Niko Goodrum went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double and five RBIs.
“He swung the bat well,” Mientkiewicz said. “Niko is capable of doing that. Hopefully we’ll see more of it.”
Left-hander Randy Rosario finished up for the Lookouts, pitching two perfect innings with three strikeouts.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him at twitter.com@KelleySmiddie.