Denker Drives Generals To Victory

Jackson, Tenn. - Some teams dink and dunk their way to victory. The Jackson Generals "Denked" their way to a win on Wednesday night, with designated hitter Travis Denker picking up a home run and four RBI to top the Mobile BayBears 5-1 at The Ballpark at Jackson.
Denker, a native of Brea, California, had a pair of sacrifice flies in addition to his second home run in the space of a week. His effort at the plate helped back six shutout innings on the mound from Brad Keller (7-7, 4.64 ERA) as the Generals strung together their fifth win in a row.

Jackson got a head start on Mobile by scoring in the first two innings. Working against BayBears right-hander Jake Jewell (5-8, 4.63 ERA), Victor Reyes led off the bottom of the first with a single, bringing Denker to the plate. The 31-year-old designated hitter posted his third home run of the year-and second in the space of a week-over the right field wall for an opposite field shot and an early 2-0 lead. Kevin Cron singled thereafter, and Michael Perez added a two-out double, as the Generals made Jewell grind through a difficult opening frame.
In the bottom of the second, shortstop Vladimir Frias led off with a single, with Evan Marzilli and Reyes earning walks behind him to load the bases for Denker. The veteran came through again, launching a deep fly ball to center field that scored Frias easily from third base for a 3-0 lead.
Execution and seizing opportunity continued to be a theme throughout the night, as the Generals (54-48, 17-15) went through the next four innings without a hit. Marzilli walked, stole a base, advanced on a passed ball, and came home on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, scoring the Generals' fourth run without needing any help from the bats that followed him. 
Keller did not allow a baserunner to reach second until there were two outs in the sixth inning, following a single and a hit batsman. After a meeting on the mound got a groundout to strand a pair of BayBears. He did not walk a batter-a season best mark-while striking out five in a 92-pitch effort.        
Mobile (43-57, 13-18) scored a run in the seventh off Joey Krehbiel with a double by Zach Houchins and an RBI single from Alberto Triunfel, but no more. Krehbiel worked his second relief inning with no runs allowed, recording a pair of strikeouts in his appearance. Yuhei Nakaushiro finished with a scoreless ninth inning, punching out one.
The Generals pushed a final run across with another bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Denker in the eighth, marking his first 4-RBI game of the year. Jackson won despite an 0-for-7 mark with men in scoring position and ten runners left on base. Reyes had a pair of hits, while shortstop Vladimir Frias scored twice in the contest. Outfielders Kelly Dugan and Evan Marzilli each stole a pair of bases, with Marzilli increasing his team-leading total to 15.
The series continues Thursday, as Generals left-hander Alex Young (7-5, 4.31 ERA) takes the ball versus Mobile's Tyler Carpenter (1-5, 4.79 ERA). First pitch from The Ballpark at Jackson is slated for 6:05 pm CT, and fans can tune in on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM starting with the Pregame Show at 5:50 pm CT.
The third game of the series comes on Thrifty Thursday, when fans can purchase general admission tickets and a bevy of concessions for just $2! Hot dogs, popcorn, soda, beer, and ice cream will be available for $2 each, and Fun Zone access for kids will be equally priced. Reserved seats can be purchased for a discounted price of $6.
Jackson's ten-game homestand against Mobile and division-rival Tennessee continues through August 3! Saturday, July 29 is Shark Week Night presented by the Jackson Energy Authority! In addition to Postgame Fireworks, the Generals will wear special shark-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off with proceeds going to JACOA! With WBBJ, the team will also be giving away umbrellas to honor Gary Pickens for the first 500 families! One lucky fan will go home with a vacation!
Jackson Generals Skills Camp is July 27 and 28! Sign campers up now for a chance to work with the Generals along with much more! The homestand also includes a pair of Thrifty Thursdays and a Leaders Credit Union Food Truck Friday! The Generals will play as the Hub City Hippos July 28!
Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20^th 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!