Biscuit jacks topple Generals, 5-2

Chattanooga, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, were fed a dose of their own medicine by the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday, dropping a 5-2 series opener at The Ballpark at Jackson.

The Generals (68-50, 29-19 Second Half) fell two-and-a-half games behind Montgomery (77-44, 33-18) in the North Division race for the Second Half title.
Home runs were the determining factor of the night for Bo Takahashi (8-6, 3.87 ERA) and the Jackson pitching staff. Montgomery's Josh Lowe powered a three-run shot to right field in the second inning to give Montgomery a 3-0 lead, and Rene Pinto added a solo jack with two outs in the fifth to extend their lead to 4-2. Takahashi only allowed five hits, but those two cost him, and he departed after six innings and 82 pitches in 95-degree heat. Kevin McCanna threw two scoreless frames in relief, but Sam Lewis, in his first appearance with Jackson since May, conceded a solo homer to Taylor Walls in the ninth inning that made the Biscuits' lead 5-2.
At the plate, the Generals struggled against right-hander Paul Campbell (7-4, 3.21 ERA), who allowed Jackson's only two runs in the third inning. A two-out walk by Ryan Grotjohn gave Daulton Varsho a chance, and the reigning Southern League Player of the Week doubled home Grotjohn to bring in Jackson's first run and cut the lead to 3-1. Pavin Smith followed by smoking a single to right field that scored Varsho and closed the gap to 3-2. That's as close as Jackson got, as just three of the next 19 men to the plate reached base. The Montgomery bullpen of Brian Shaffer, Ivan Pelaez, and Tyler Zombro (S, 9) allowed just one hit over the final four innings. Smith's two-hit game was the only multi-hit effort, and Varsho's double was the only extra-base hit.
   
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
August 13-22: Generals vs. Montgomery Biscuits (AA, Tampa Bay Rays) and Tennessee Smokies (AA, Chicago Cubs)
…featuring two Dollar Night Thursdays (August 15 & 22), plus Turn Back the Clock Night (August 17)!
 
The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. The Generals play at The Ballpark at Jackson, Tennessee's 2017 & 2018 Pro Sports Field of the Year. Next June, The Ballpark at Jackson will host the 2020 Southern League All-Star Game, and you can purchase 2020 season tickets today by calling 731.988.5299 or visiting JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!