Pike, Vargas blank BayBears in nightcap on Wednesday night

JACKSON, TENN. (JULY 2, 2014) - The Generals (4-10/35-48) got back on the winning track as they split a double-header with the Mobile BayBears (8-6/50-33) in Jackson Wednesday. Mobile took a 6-1 win in the continuation of Tuesday's game that was suspended by rain. Jackson then bounced back and won the nightcap, a 3-0 shutout victory behind a superb outing from starter Tyler Pike and reliever Richard Vargas.

The Generals and BayBears began Wednesday where they left off Tuesday, scoreless with one out and one on in the bottom of the fourth. It took one more inning, however, before a run crossed the plate.

With two outs in the top of the fifth Mobile loaded the bases and scored the first run when Todd Glaesmann reached on an error that allowed Nate Samson to score.

Jackson tied the game in the sixth as Dan Paolini (3x5, R, 2 2B, RBI, BB) and Dario Pizzano (1x4, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB) led off with back-to-back doubles. Pizzano's two-bagger scored Paolini and the game was tied 1-1 after six innings.

The BayBears came up with more timely hitting in the eighth as Mark Thomas hit a two-run triple to right-center that brought in Glaesmann and Griffin and Mobile once again had the lead 3-1.

Dustin Martin then hit his second ninth inning home run in as many games, this one a three-run shot that extended the BayBears lead to 6-1.

Trevor Miller (4-7, 4.87) took over on the mound for starter Victor Sanchez (3-4, 4.30) when the game was resumed and allowed one just one run on a hit and walked two in his inning of work. Miller gave way to Kyle Hunter ( L, 1-3, 4.78) who went 2.2 innings and gave up two runs on four hits, taking the loss for Jackson.

Willy Paredes began the game for Mobile out of the bullpen and worked 2.2 innings before giving way to Seth Simmons (1-1, 2.21) who went 1.2 scoreless and picked up his first win of the season.

Jackson earned two-hit performances from Leon Landry (3x8, R, 2B) and Paolini, as Paolini, Pizzano, D.J. Peterson (2x8, 2B), and Jack Marder (1x4, 2B) doubled in the game. But the Generals were 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base in the contest.

Game two began well for Jackson as Pike had a great pitching performance. He tossed 5.1 shutout innings against a lineup that has plagued the Generals throughout this season. Pike allowed just three hits and struck out four BayBears in earning his first Double-A victory.

Jackson struck first with a two-run single from Ketel Marte (1-4, 2 RBI). The hit scored Landry and Pizzano and gave the Generals a 2-0 lead. Jackson added some insurance an inning later when Paolini doubled home Julio Morban (0x2, R, BB) to make the score 3-0.

That was all the support Pike needed as he cruised to victory. Richard Vargas (1-1, 4 SV, 5.03) earned his fourth save out of the bullpen to preserve the win in the seven inning game after striking out the side in the seventh.

The Generals and BayBears will finish this five game set Thursday at the Ballpark in Jackson. Matt Anderson (3-3, 4.53) will get the ball for Jackson as Mobile will look to start A.J. Schugel (4-1, 3.81). Thursday is Jackson's annual Independence Day celebration and will begin at 7:05 p.m. and can be heard on 96.5 ESPN, TuneIn Radio and jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.