Generals Run Away with Nightcap
Jacksonville, Fla. - The Generals scored late to take the regularly scheduled contest against Jacksonville 6-1 Wednesday night after losing in the completion of Tuesday's game 8-3 at the Baseball Grounds. Tyler O'Neill led the way on offense with a pair of run-scoring hits in the seven-inning affair before the Generals tacked on three runs late to earn a convincing victory. The slugger also homered in the early game, giving him a Southern League best 76 runs batted in on the season.
Jackson (17-14, 63-38) came through with six runs on ten hits to split the two games that were decided on Wednesday. The Generals have won four of seven contests against Jacksonville (15-17, 45-57) so far in 2016.
July 26: Jacksonville 8, Generals 3
Jacksonville entered Wednesday with a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a three run second before rain interrupted the night prior. The Suns wasted no time adding to that lead, getting RBI singles from Alex Glenn and Peter Mooney to make it 5-1 over the Generals.
Tyler O'Neill brought the Generals back to within three in his first at-bat. The outfielder took Patrick Johnson (6-5, 3.71) deep to left with a solo blast, but Jackson gained no more ground. The home run was O'Neill's 19th of the season, putting him just two shy of Daniel Palka for the league lead.
Guido Knudson took the mound as the game resumed Wednesday, giving up a run over three innings in his second appearance with the Generals. Kyle Schepel took over in the sixth and allowed his first runs in Double-A. After a pair of singles, Jacksonville's Austin Dean lined a three-run homer over the fence in left to put the Suns on top 8-2. Schepel had fired 18 shutout frames since earning a promotion from Bakersfield.
Jackson did get a run back in the ninth on a bases loaded single from Steve Baron, but Ian Miller followed by hitting into a double play. The Generals hit into three twin killings in an 8-3 loss to the Suns. Baron's RBI knock in the ninth was Jackson's lone hit with runners in scoring position.
Brett Ash (9-7, 4.72) took the loss despite not pitching on Wednesday. Ash allowed the first four Jacksonville runs over two innings of work the night prior, handing him his third-straight loss.
Both Benji Gonzalez and Tyler O'Neill hit solo homers in the loss. Gonzalez is now second among active players on the roster with five long balls.
July 27: Generals 6, Jacksonville 1 (7 innings)
Jackson returned the favor in the regularly scheduled contest, downing Jacksonville by five in the nightcap. Tyler O'Neill led the way on offense and four pitchers combined to allow just a run in the 6-1 win for the Generals that went seven innings.
O'Neill got the scoring started in the third innings. With Benji Gonzalez at third, O'Neill smashed an RBI triple over the head of Alex Glenn in centerfield. After Jacksonville tied the game in the fourth on a base hit by Garrrett Weber, O'Neill put Jackson in front again. With two outs and two strikes in the fifth, he shot a single into left field to put Jackson up 2-1.
Tyler Herb got off to a great start for Jackson, getting five outs on just 22 pitches before he was removed from the contest. Chris Curley's two-out single in the second frame hit Jackson's starter, forcing the Generals to go to the bullpen early.
The relief corps was more than up to the task. Kyle Hunter (3-1, 3.81) got the win after allowing just a run in 2.1 innings. Matt Anderson and Dan Altavilla combined to pitch the final three frames without allowing another run to cross.
Altavilla would have earned a save if it weren't for a late surge by Jackson's offense. The Generals scored in each of the last three frames. After O'Neill's single in the fifth, Jackson got an insurance run in the sixth when Kyle Petty banged an RBI ground-rule double to right off of Austin Brice (4-7, 2.86)
In the seventh, the Generals tacked on three more runs to put Jacksonville away. With two outs, Tim Lopes scored on a wild pitch. Later in the frame, Marcus Littlewood drove in a pair with a single to make it 6-1.
Gonzalez, Lopes, O'Neill and Leon Landry all had two knocks in Jackson's 10-hit effort. The Suns had seven hits, but none went for extra-bases.
With the series tied at a game apiece, the Generals and Suns will battle again Thursday night. Andrew Moore (5-1, 3.26) goes for the Generals in search of his sixth Double-A win against Jacksonville southpaw Matt Tracy (1-2, 4.76). First pitch from the Baseball Grounds is set for 6:05 pm CT/7:05 pm ET, and you can catch all the action starting at 5:50 pm CT/6:50 pm ET on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1) in Jackson and online via the TuneIn Radio App with the Pregame Show.
The Generals return home for a ten-game homestand starting August 5 against the Birmingham Barons! Saturday, August 5 is Superhero Night sponsored by Hunt Brothers Pizza! In addition to a postgame Fireworks show, the Generals will wear special Superhero-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to Ashley Furniture's A Hope to Dream Foundation. Sunday, August 7 is a Family FunDay Sunday, with kids 12 and under receiving free admission, fun zone access, ice cream and the chance to play catch on the field pregame!
After a day off August 10, the Generals host the Biloxi Shuckers for the first time all season! Thursday, August 11 is a State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar Night! General admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi products and select beer are all just $1 all night long, and fans can upgrade to reserved seats for only $5! Saturday, August 5 is the always popular Elvis Night sponsored by Jackson Sport & Fitness and WBBJ! There will be postgame Elvis-themed fireworks, and the first 500 fans to The Ballpark will get a Sarge Jeep Bobblehead courtesy of Mitchell's Body Shop! The fun continues with another Family FunDay Sunday on August 14!
Come out and see the First Half Champion Generals as they march towards the playoffs in 2016! Get your tickets by calling the team at (731) 988.5299, stopping by The Ballpark or going online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.