Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, got the business end of a broken-bat single on Wednesday night, falling to Tennessee 3-2 in ten innings.
Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, got the business end of a broken-bat single on Wednesday night, falling to Tennessee 3-2 in ten innings.
The victory by the Smokies (12-12) spared them from an unlikely defeat after they no-hit the Generals (13-11) through the first six innings.
Tennessee right-hander Tyson Miller gave the Jackson offense no oxygen whatsoever, striking out a career-high nine batters through six innings without allowing a baserunner. The Generals finally broke through with consecutive singles in the seventh and a one-out walk, loading the bases and chasing Miller from the game after six and one third innings. Shortstop Jazz Chisholm then struck out with the bases loaded for the inning's second out, and he was ejected moments later by home plate umpire Matt Bates for arguing balls and strikes. Drew Ellis followed by popping up to the catcher, ending Jackson's best chance to score up to that point. A two-out, pinch-hit double by Ramon Hernandez in the eighth was left stranded, pushing Jackson's final opportunity to the ninth.
Down to their final out in the ninth inning, Generals catcher Daulton Varsho belted the first pitch from Tennessee closer Craig Brooks into the pavilion beyond right field, tying the game at 1-1 to stave off defeat. Varsho's fifth homer of the year was his second in the span of four days.
In the top of the tenth, Jackson played things perfectly, as Galli Cribbs sacrificed himself with a bunt that moved baserunner Ryan Grotjohn over to third. Pinch-hitter Dominic Miroglio, the last position player remaining on the Jackson bench, slapped a two-strike offering to right field for an RBI single, driving home Grotjohn with the go-ahead tally against Jordan Minch (4-1, 7.71 ERA). Unfortunately, it didn't hold up when all was said and done.
Jackson starter Riley Smith delivered the team's longest start of the year, racking up seven innings with just one run allowed. Ryan Atkinson replaced Smith at the wheel and pushed the pedal down for two more scoreless frames, holding Jackson in position for the potential victory. Kevin Ginkel (1-2, 3.09 ERA) got two outs in the bottom of the tenth, but the third out escaped his grasp, as a broken-bat single down the left field line by Roberto Caro scored Luis Vazquez and Connor Myers with the game-tying and game-winning runs. Jackson is now 0-3 in extra-inning games.
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
5:30 pm CT Wednesday (5/2) at Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs)
Smokies Stadium - Kodak, TN
Game 1 (Resumption of April 19): RHP Bud Jeter vs. TBA Smokies
Game 2 of Double-Header: RHP Bo Takahashi vs. TBA Smokies
Broadcast Link: Jackson Generals Baseball Network
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
May 6-10 vs. Birmingham Barons (AA, Chicago White Sox)
…featuring "All We Do Is Win" Night (Friday, May 10)!
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. Purchase your tickets to see the defending Southern League champions today by calling 731.988.5299 or visiting JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!
