Late Generals Rally Falls Short of Chattanooga

Jackson, Tenn. - Done in by seven Chattanooga runs scored across the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, the Jackson Generals fell 9-4 on Sunday night. The Lookouts scored a run in the opening inning and never looked back in a wire-to-wire victory.
Chattanooga (11-13) got to Jackson starter Brooks Hall (1-1, 6.43 ERA) for a trio of runs in the fourth and a pair in the fifth, finishing the frame with a 6-1 advantage. Three Chattanooga hitters combined for six hits in that stretch alone, helping to dig Jackson's largest hole of the young season. The Generals (15-8) battled back with a three-spot in the seventh inning, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of infielder Colin Walsh. Chattanooga starter Fernando Romero (2-3, 2.96 ERA) picked up the win for the visitors.

The Lookouts hassled Hall out of the gate, as a leadoff triple and a sacrifice flyout gave Chattanooga the lead after two batters. Hall retired eight of the next ten batters, setting down the Lookouts one-two-three in the third inning. In the meantime, Chattanooga's Romero stymied the Generals offense, denying the home side any hits in the first three innings.
In the fourth, Chattanooga began the inning with three straight hits, including a pair of extra base hits that plated two runs. A sacrifice fly increased the visitors' lead to 4-0 at the end of the frame. Chattanooga did damage in the fifth with another hit to the gap. A two-out double from Dan Gamache scored LaMonte Wade Jr and Jonathan Rodriguez to make it 6-0. Rodriguez, Wade, and Gamache combined to score six of Chattanooga's nine runs on the night, accounting for half of their 14 hits.
The Generals answered Chattanooga's charge with a score in the bottom half, as Colin Walsh singled home Jamie Westbrook with two outs to put Jackson on the board. Westbrook's run was the only mark against Romero, who scattered seven hits while striking out a half dozen Generals over six innings of work.
J.R. House's club showed poise in the later innings, continuing to duel the Chattanooga bullpen. Evan Marzilli and Jose Queliz scored on a double by Walsh in the seventh, and Dawel Lugo raked in Walsh with a sacrifice fly, filling out Jackson's tally. Walsh finished 3-for-4 with a run scored, three driven in, and a walk. Westbrook added a run and a pair of hits as well.     
The loss for the Generals evens the series at 2-2, making Monday's 11:05 am CT duel the first true rubber game of the year. Right-hander Felix Jorge (2-1, 3.92 ERA) will throw for Chattanooga. The Generals had not announced a starter at press time.      
Monday is Education Day inside The Ballpark at Jackson! Students get in free with their school class, and lunch packs will be available for just $6!
Following Monday's series finale, the Generals have an off day and then hit the road for a five-game swing against the Mobile BayBears that begins on Wednesday. The Generals will return to West Tennessee thereafter for their longest homestand of the First Half, hosting consecutive five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies and Pensacola Blue Wahoos. The ten-game set will feature lots of fun and face time with Jackson's mascot, as the team celebrates Sarge's Birthday and Sarge's Carnival with fireworks, carnival rides, and more! A pair of Education Days will bookend the action-packed weekend, which will also include a Thrifty Thursday, Food Truck Friday, and the return of the Hub City Hippos to The Ballpark.
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!