Pensacola's Big Comeback Downs Jackson

Pensacola, Fla. - The Generals were well on their way to winning a third-straight game on Memorial Day, but Pensacola overcame a six-run deficit to take Monday's game and the series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Jackson held the Wahoos scoreless in six of eight innings that they came to the plate, but Pensacola used a pair of four-run rallies to win 8-7.

Jackson (19-24) entered the bottom of the eighth inning with a 7-4 edge and closer Matt Anderson (1-1, 2.08) on the hill. Seth Mejias-Brean and Ray Chang opened up the frame with a double and a single respectively for the Wahoos. Mejias-Brean came into score on an error by Jack Reinheimer to make it 7-5. Anderson then hit pinch hitter Kyle Skipworth with a pitch to load the bases with none out.

The Generals stayed out in front for one more batter, as D.J. Peterson made a leaping catch to rob Juan Silva for the first out of the inning. Ryan Wright followed with a two-run double to right-center field that tied the game up at seven.

Two batters later, Anderson was one strike away from getting to the ninth with the game still tied. After a strikeout of Marquez Smith, Skipworth scored the go ahead run on a two-strike wild pitch by Anderson to make it 8-7. Anderson struck out Kyle Waldrop to end the inning, but the damage had been done.

Kyle McMyne (S, 4) pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save for Pensacola (20-25). The righty pitched in four of the five games in the series without giving up a run. Blaine Howell (1-0, 5.06) pitched a pair of scoreless innings to earn his first victory of the season.

Jackson jumped out to a big lead early, scoring four runs on three hits in the first inning against Pensacola's Wandy Peralta. With two outs, Jabari Blash singled and Peralta walked the next two batters to load the bases. Gabriel Guerrero drove in Blash with an RBI single to put the Generals up 1-0. Dario Pizzano followed with a two-run single, and Guerrero came home on an error to make it 4-0.

The Generals added runs in the second and fourth innings to push their edge to six. Jordy Lara came through with an RBI double in the second inning, and D.J. Peterson blasted a run-scoring double to right field in the fourth to make it 6-0.

The Pensacola rally started in the fifth against Jackson starter James Gillheeney, who had given up just two hits in four scoreless innings on 48 pitches to that point. The Wahoos brought home four men on seven hits in the inning, and it was nearly more. With two on and two out, Mejias-Brean laced a single to center but Guerrero was able to end the inning by gunning down Jesse Winker at the plate. It was Guerrero's fifth outfield assist of the season, and it kept Jackson in front 6-4.

The momentum stayed with Jackson in the next half-inning, as Jabari Blash led off the seventh with a solo blast to left-center field that made it 7-4 Generals. The home run was Blash's team-leading seventh of the season.

Trevor Miller gave up just two hits in two scoreless innings to get the ball to Anderson in the eighth, but Pensacola's second four-run inning proved to be the difference.

The six-run lead was the largest advantage that Jackson has had in a game it wound up losing this season. The loss prevented Jackson from its second three-game winning streak of the season. The team finished up its road trip with a 5-6 record.

Jackson returns home from its longest road trip of the season for a five-game set with the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. Edwin Diaz (0-2, 9.31), Seattle's top-ranked pitching prospect, is scheduled to make his first home start with the Generals against Montgomery righty Bradin Hagens (2-4, 4.30). First pitch is set for 7:05 pm CT, and you can catch all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1 and 94.3) starting with the Jackson Generals Pregame Show protected by the Tennessee Army National Guard at 6:50 pm.

Tuesday's game is a Two-for-Tuesday at the Ballpark at Jackson. Fans can get two general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorns, beers and sodas for the price of one! Don't forget about State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar Night on Thursday, Faith Night and Free Cash Friday on May 29 or Night of Heart with Fireworks on Saturday as well! Tickets for all five games are still available by calling (731) 988.5299, stopping by the park or going online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.