Biscuits Bounce Generals, 9-4

Montgomery, Ala. - Just when you think you'll get out of the oven, the Montgomery Biscuits pull you back in. That's how the Jackson Generals' present series has felt, as Jackson dropped a 9-4 decision Sunday at Riverwalk Stadium, their fourth in as many games in Alabama's capital.
A third inning home run for Travis Denker put Jackson up 1-0 after the top of the third, but the Biscuits plated four runs in the bottom half to take the lead. Montgomery (30-19, 67-52) would go on to score five runs across their final three at-bats, dropping the Generals (23-26, 60-59) seven games back in the Wild Card race with 21 to play.

Denker's drive, his fifth dinger of the year, came on a 3-0 pitch from Montgomery starter Logan Darnell (4-1, 3.96 ERA) that wrapped just inside the left field foul pole. The Biscuits would answer in the bottom half, scoring four times on three hits off Jackson starter Frank Duncan (0-1, 4.50 ERA). Nathan Lukes walked to begin the frame, and Michael Russell followed with a single. A wild pitch put both men in scoring position, and an RBI groundout by Jake Cronenworth tied the game at 1-1.
With Russell at third, a ground ball to first was picked up by Kevin Cron and fired to home plate, but Russell's slide dislodged the ball from the mitt of catcher Michael Perez, counting the run for a 2-1 lead. Cade Gotta singled behind Velasquez, and Grant Kay drove in Velasquez with an RBI double. Dalton Kelly grounded out to shortstop to score Gotta from third base for a 4-1, and Justin Williams flew out to finally close the wound to Jackson.
The Generals fought back for another run in the fourth on an RBI double from Marty Herum and closed within 4-3 after a Jamie Westbrook solo homer in the sixth. The margin would be short-lived, as the Biscuits proved their mettle again in the sixth. A leadoff double from Grant Kay put Montgomery in business, and two groundouts to first base later, Kay crossed home for a fifth Biscuits run.
Another Montgomery run scored in the seventh after Andury Acevedo retired the first two hitters he faced. A two-out walk to Velasquez brought Gotta to the plate, and with Velasquez running on the pitch, Gotta rapped a single into the gap in right center field. Velasquez never broke stride, racing all the way home for a 6-3 lead as the throw from the outfield came in off line.
The eighth inning was a spirit-breaker for the Generals. Jamie Westbrook's leadoff walk was erased immediately on a groundball double play, as Jackson finished the inning in three batters. Dalton Kelly led off the bottom of the eighth with a double that caromed high off the left field wall back into shallow left-center. Center fielder Emilio Bonifácio picked it up and threw to second base to try to catch Kelly overrunning the bag, but the throw skipped wide of second base and ended up bouncing into the the Generals' dugout on the first base side. The error and ball going out of play gave Kelly two bases, allowinghimtoscorefora7-3Montgomerylead. Tworunsfurtherwouldscoreonawalk,twosingles,andasacrificefly, completing Montgomery's night offensively at 9-4.
Duncan, making his Generals debut, finished six innings while allowing three earned runs for a quality start. Eight of Jackson's hitters reached safely, and Herum recorded his second three-hit game as a General, driving in a run as well.
Alex Young, a southpaw, will throw in the finale for Jackson on Monday at 7:05 pm CT at Riverwalk Stadium. Montgomery's starting pitcher will be right-hander José Mujica (10-8, 3.25 ERA). Radio coverage will begin 15 minutes before first pitch on Willie 94 FM and 1390 AM, as well as the Jackson Generals Baseball Network via TuneIn Radio.
The Generals return home for the penultimate series in Jackson this season August 16. The series versus the Biloxi Shuckers features a Thrifty Thursday and a Leaders Credit Union Food Truck Friday! Saturday, August 19 is Big Bang Theory Night, presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza with Postgame Fireworks! The Generals will be giving away t-shirts, and one lucky fan will win a trip to Wizard World Comic Con in Nashville. Jackson's special Superhero jerseys will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Ashley Furniture's A Hope to Dream Foundation.
The final Fireworks Show of the year is August 26! Jackson's annual SEC Night with Postgame Fireworks is sponsored by WBBJ and Jackson Sports & Fitness. The Generals will be giving away tickets to a number of SEC Football games throughout the night. Early arrivers will take home a trucker hat, and the Memphis Grizzlies Caravan will be at the game with former Kentucky Wildcat and current Grizzlies player Andrew Harrison!
Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20th season of professional baseball in Jackson, and the first for the team as an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks! Call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com to secure your seats now!