Chattanooga, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, could not solve right-hander Brad Markey and the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday, falling 4-1 at AT&T Field in game two of their five-game series.
Chattanooga, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, could not solve right-hander Brad Markey and the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday, falling 4-1 at AT&T Field in game two of their five-game series.
Markey held the Generals (66-48) without a hit through the game's first five innings, and Chattanooga (52-63) wore down Jackson starter Matt Peacock (8-4, 2.56 ERA) until a three-run sixth inning smothered the visitors' chances.
Peacock entered Thursday with five wins in his past six starts, but he was on the ropes early, as the Lookouts' offense collected five hits in their first time through the order. Peacock stranded two runners in the first inning, thanks largely to a brilliant outfield assist from Jeffrey Baez in right field to nail Stuart Fairchild at the plate and end the frame. He conceded a lead-off double in the second inning to Tyler Stephenson, followed by a single from Calten Daal that put two men aboard. Peacock induced a groundball double-play from Alberti Chavez, but it permitted Stephenson to score for a 1-0 Chattanooga lead.
Peacock retired the eight of the next nine batters before a one-out double by Markey put a runner at second in the fifth inning. Michael O'Neill then lined a single to center field, but he slipped between first and second base, becoming entangled in a rundown that eventually led to Jackson shortstop Camden Duzenack rifling a throw to catcher Daulton Varsho at home plate to tag out Markey and end the inning.
The first four men to face Peacock in the sixth all reached base, with Jonathan India doubling in a run on a hit down the left field line that featured a very close fair-or-foul call. Peacock simply couldn't make the ends meet in the sixth, inducing another run-scoring groundball double-play before Alberti Chavez knocked an RBI single up the middle that put Chattanooga on top, 4-1. Peacock finished with five strikeouts, seven groundball outs, and a lone walk, but a season-high 11 hits allowed took their toll. Kevin McCanna and Matt Brill completed the last two and one-third innings without allowing a Chattanooga baserunner.
The Generals' offense got their first hit against veteran Brandon Finnegan (1-0, 2.25 ERA) in the sixth, a lead-off single by Duzenack. Ramon Hernandez followed two batters later with a pinch-hit single, bringing the tying run to the plate with one out. L.T. Tolbert was then hit by the pitch, earning first base and loading the sacks for Daulton Varsho. The Jackson catcher struck out looking, but Pavin Smith used his discretion to garner a bases-loaded walk, bringing home Duzenack with Jackson's first run to even the score at 1-1. That was all the scoring Jackson could manage, as the Generals went 0-for-5 with men in scoring position and failed to record an extra-base hit. The win was Chattanooga's first against Jackson since July 4.
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
August 13-22: Generals vs. Montgomery Biscuits (AA, Tampa Bay Rays) and Tennessee Smokies (AA, Chicago Cubs)
…featuring two Dollar Night Thursdays (August 15 & 22), plus Turn Back the Clock Night (August 17)!
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!
