Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, connected their fourth victory in a row on Sunday evening, downing the Mobile BayBears 7-4 at The Ballpark at Jackson.
Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, connected their fourth victory in a row on Sunday evening, downing the Mobile BayBears 7-4 at The Ballpark at Jackson.
With a loss by the Montgomery Biscuits (72-42, 28-16 Second Half) at Chattanooga, the Generals (64-47, 25-16) are now just a game and a half out of first place among North Division teams in the Second Half race.
Mobile (41-70, 14-29) entered with high hopes for right-hander Oliver Ortega (0-1, 54.00 ERA), but they didn't last long. The 22-year-old debut at Double-A was over after he faced eight Generals hitters in the first inning, conceding four runs on six hits. Seth Beer broke the scoreless tie with an RBI groundout that brought home Daulton Varsho, and Drew Ellis, Ramon Hernandez, and Renae Martinez recorded back-to-back-to-back run-scoring hits to make the margin 4-0.
Isaac Mattson entered in relief and allowed only one hit in three innings of work, but he got stuck in the fourth inning and received little help from Adrian Almeida, who allowed both of the runners he inherited to score. The first runner scored on a bases-loaded walk that Almeida created by walking the sacks full and giving a free base to Pavin Smith to score the run; Beer then singled home two more runs to give the Generals their final tally.
In his first outing with Jackson, J.B. Bukauskas ran hot and cold over three and one-third innings of work. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out eight men, including four in a row to close the second inning and open the third frame. With two outs in the third, however, he allowed four consecutive batters to hit their way on base, leading to a pair of runs that made the lead 4-2. Bukauskas subsequently loaded the bases in the fourth inning before notching a strikeout and departing after his 70th pitch.
Reliever Kevin McCanna (4-5, 2.60 ERA) nearly got of the jam with a groundball to second, but the relay throw on the attempted double play was ruled just late, as Jahmai Jones beat the throw to first base to allow Roberto Baldoquin to score. McCanna allowed a solo homer to Julian Leon in the sixth inning, but Ryan Atkinson, Damien Magnifico, and Miguel Aguilar (S, 3) all did their parts by keeping Mobile at bay the rest of the way, each offering a scoreless frame.
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
August 1-5: Generals vs. Mobile BayBears (AA, Los Angeles Angels)
…featuring Belly Bust Monday (August 5)!
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!
