Generals Fall in Extras to Blue Wahoos
Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals fell to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 10-5 in fourteen innings in the series finale between the Generals and Wahoos. Jackson led 5-1 as early as the third, but couldn't hold the lead before ultimately falling in extras. The 14-inning affair is the final game between the Generals and Blue Wahoos during the 2016 regular season.
Pensacola (34-25) rallied in the top of the 14th after Kyle Skipworth struck out to start the frame. Thanks to a double, four singles, three walks, and a couple passed balls, the Blue Wahoos rallied and plated five against Ryne Horstman (1-2, 9.49) and Dan Altavilla to take the series finale.
With the loss, the Generals' magic number for clinching the Southern League North Division First Half title remains at one. Jackson can clinch the championship with either a win or a loss from both Montgomery Biscuits and Chattanooga Lookouts, who both trail the Generals by nine games with 10 to go in the First Half. The Biscuits will visit the Blue Wahoos for five starting Friday while the Lookouts travel to face the Tennessee Smokies.
When Pensacola took the 6-5 lead in the top of the 14th, it was their first lead of the game. Jackson (39-21) took an early lead in the very first inning. Ian Miller led off with a single to center and quickly stole second. Miller scored two batters later on Guillermo Heredia's single to right to make it 1-0 Generals. A batter later, Tyler O'Neill launched a two-run shot to right center and Jackson took a 3-0 lead after one.
The home run for O'Neill came in his first at-bat after a walk-off grand slam against Pensacola on Wednesday in the Generals' 8-4 win. The blast was O'Neill's 12th of the season, two shy of Chattanooga's Daniel Palka for the most in the Southern League. The two RBIs that came with the homer give O'Neill 53 on the year, the second most in all of Minor League Baseball at the moment.
In the second, Pat Brady led off with a triple into deep left center. Two batters later, Benji Gonzalez brought him in with a sacrifice fly to dead center to make it 4-0 Generals. But the lead was quickly decreased in the top of the third when Pensacola scored a pair on two doubles to make the score 4-1.
Jackson responded in the bottom of the third with a run of its own. D.J. Peterson led off with a single into left and advanced two batters later on Steve Baron's single to left with one out. Peterson then scored easily when Nick Travieso threw an errant pick off throw to first to try and catch Pat Brady leaning off the bag. After three, it was 5-1 Generals and the Division Title was in site.
However, Pensacola's comeback really started in the fourth when it scored one on a trio of singles to make it 5-2. The tie didn't come until the seventh. Matt Anderson replaced Sam Gaviglio on the hill who had just completed a quality start. Gaviglio gave up two runs, both earned, on eight hits over six strong innings. The righty also walked one and struck out a season-high of seven.
Anderson quickly got one out before serving up a double to Kyle Skipworth. After Tony Renda was retired, Anderson gave up two singles and a double to make it 5-5 at the stretch. Neither team scored until Pensacola went on to win in the 14th.
Jackson looks to clinch on the road when it hits the road for a five-game trip to Pearl, Mississippi against the Mississippi Braves. It will be the first five of 15 games between the Generals and Braves in 2016. Ryan Yarbrough (6-2, 2.42) is slated to start for Jackson against Andrew Thurman (0-5, 6.22) for Mississippi. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT, and you can listen to all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1) and online via the TuneIn Radio App starting at 6:50 pm CT with the Generals Pregame Show.
The Generals are on the road for five-games before returning home for the final five-game homestand before the all-star game! Jackson will host the Tennessee Smokies June 15th to June 19th and its an action packed promotion filled homestand. The series kicks off on Wednesday June 15th and continues Thursday June 16th with another State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar Night! General Admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi products and select beer are just $1 all night long, and fans can upgrade to reserved seats for $5! On Friday June 17th, it's the annual Night of Heart with the West Tennessee Heart and Vascular Center with postgame fireworks!. The Generals will wear specialty jerseys that you'll be able to bid on with all proceeds being donated to the Heart and Vascular Center. Saturday June 18th is Wedding Night at The Ballpark and local couples will have the opportunity throughout the night to compete for wedding credits from various companies to use toward a wedding! The Generals will wear specialty jerseys as well before special postgame fireworks presented by Robert's Jewelers! The homestand concludes on Sunday June 19th with another Family FunDay Sunday. All children 12 and younger will receive a free reserved ticket, ice cream, Fun Zone access, and the opportunity to play catch on the field pregame!
Come watch the first-place Generals as they chase their best First Half record in franchise history! To purchase tickets, call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com