Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, took one of two double-header games from the Mississippi Braves on Tuesday, with right-hander Matt Peacock (7-3, 2.48 ERA) throwing a complete game shutout in the first half of the twin-bill.
Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, took one of two double-header games from the Mississippi Braves on Tuesday, with right-hander Matt Peacock (7-3, 2.48 ERA) throwing a complete game shutout in the first half of the twin-bill.
The Generals (56-43) now trail the M-Braves (47-53) 8-4 in their season series with only three games remaining, meaning Mississippi is guaranteed to win the teams' 2019 series.
Game 1: Generals 2, Braves 0 (F/7)
BOX SCORE
The star of the night was Jackson right-hander Matt Peacock, whose outstanding effort rewarded him with his league-leading fourth win in the month of July. Peacock coaxed nine groundouts from the M-Braves while striking out six men and walking two. The only hit Peacock allowed was a lead-off double in the fifth inning to Ryan Casteel, whom Peacock stranded on base by inducing a strikeout and a groundball double play. Peacock's complete game was his second in a row after a rain-shortened, five-inning win against Birmingham last week. His July ERA (1.38) and opponents' batting average (.141) both rank second in the Southern League this month.
Peacock was directly involved in the Generals' run production as well. With men at first and second and two outs in the fifth inning, Mississippi starter Kyle Muller (6-6, 3.30 ERA) got Galli Cribbs Jr. to ground a ball to Ray-Patrick Didder at shortstop. Didder fielded it and wanted to make the forceout play at second base, but second baseman Alejandro Salazar broke toward the base late in the play and forced Didder to hold the ball, loading the bases. Peacock stepped up next, and with two strikes, he chopped a weak grounder toward the left side of the mound. Muller fielded it, but his throw to first sailed over the glove of Ryan Casteel, allowing Ramon Hernandez and Drew Ellis to score for a 2-0 lead. The M-Braves brought the tying run to the plate in both the sixth and seventh innings because of Jackson errors, but Peacock weathered each miscue to gain the win.
Game 2: Braves 1, Generals 0 (F/7)
BOX SCORE
For the first time since June, Justin Donatella (5-2, 3.74 ERA) got to start, but his nightcap outing didn't last very long. After stranding three men on base in the first inning, Donatella worked a one-two-three second frame, but he conceded two one-out hits and a walk to load the bases in the third, giving way to Cameron Gann after 61 pitches. Gann got outs from both of the next two hitters, but one of them was a sacrifice fly by Ryan Casteel, which allowed Cristian Pache to score from third base for a 1-0 lead. That was all the cushion Mississippi needed, though Gann, Matt Brill, Miguel Aguilar, and Damien Magnifico gave up one combined hit between the four of them over the final four and two-thirds innings of the game.
The Jackson offense went cold against a flurry of different bullpen arms for Mississippi, starting with Josh Graham and continuing through the collective efforts of Jason Hursh (3-3, 2.21 ERA), Connor Johnstone, and Jason Creasy (S, 3). The Generals' only hit was a single by Evan Marzilli in the third inning, as Jackson was held to an 0-for-2 mark with men in scoring position.
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
July 22-26: Generals vs. Mississippi Braves (AA, Atlanta Braves)
…featuring Thursday Dollar Night (July 25) and Game Show Night featuring Tom Meiners (July 26)!
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 2018 Southern League champions today by calling 731.988.5299 or visiting JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!
