Errors Prove Costly in 5-3 Loss
Chattanooga, Tenn. - After going 33 consecutive innings without an error, the Jackson Generals committed two costly errors in the fifth inning of a 5-3 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts on Saturday night at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Generals' offense also struggled going 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position despite notching 11 hits.
Jackson (1-2, 47-26) led 2-1 going into the fifth before Chattanooga (2-1, 38-35) caught a break. D.J. Hicks walked to start the rally. Leonardo Reginatto put down a sacrifice bunt, but Marcus Littlewood's throw to first was wide allowing Hicks to advance to third and Reginatto to second. Two batters later, Stuart Turner reached on an error by Benji Gonzalez, allowing Hicks to score and Reginatto to move to third. Zach Granite laid down a sacrifice bunt that brought in Reginatto to give Chattanooga a 3-2 lead. The Lookouts took the 3-2 lead in the fifth thanks to a walk, sacrifice bunt, two errors, and no hits.
The Generals offense got going in the first for the second straight night. With one out, Tim Lopes broke an 0-for-21 slump with a single into center. Tyler O'Neill struck out before Leon Landry doubled to put men on second and third with two outs. D.J. Peterson picked up his 40th and 41st RBI of the season with a single into center to score Lopes and Landry. After half an inning, Jackson led 2-0.
Sam Gaviglio (4-4, 3.68) started off well against the Lookouts retiring the first seven men he faced. With one out in the third, Ryan Walker singled into center and promptly stole second. Stuart Turner popped out to short before Granite singled into right to score Walker and make it 2-1 Generals after three.
Unfortunately for Gaviglio, he earned his fourth loss of the season despite tossing his team-high eighth quality start. The righty gave up three runs, only one of which was earned, on two hits over six innings. Gaviglio gave up just two hits for the second straight start and has gone six or more innings in 10 of his 14 starts for the Generals this year.
Jackson had plenty of opportunities to tie the game up or take the lead. The Generals loaded them up in the fourth with two outs, but Lopes grounded out to end the threat. Jackson put runners on second and third with two outs, but Ian Miller lined out and Lopes popped out. In the seventh, the Generals loaded them up with two outs before Patrick Brady struck out to end the inning.
Chattanooga put the game away in the seventh and eighth. The Lookouts scored one on a single and a double to take a 4-2 lead after seven. Daniel Palka led off the eighth with a solo homer to left, his Southern League leading 18th blast of the season. Palka's solo home run gave Chattanooga a 5-2 lead after eight.
However, Jackson did threaten in the ninth against Chattanooga closer Trevor Hildenberger. With one out, Leon Landry walked and D.J. Peterson followed him up with a single to left. Marcus Littlewood doubled into right to score Landry, move Peterson over to third, and make it a 5-3 game. However Hildenberg picked up his 12th save in 13 opportunities by striking out Kyle Petty and Pat Brady to shut the door and secure the 5-3 win.
The Generals' offense clubbed 11 hits, but only scored three due to struggling with men in scoring position. Jackson went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 14 men on base. The 14 men stranded is one shy of a season-high 15. Jackson has stranded 15 men on base in a game twice this season, most recently on June 9th in a 14-inning loss to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Jackson looks to even up the series against Chattanooga on Sunday in game four of the five-game series at AT&T Field in Chattanooga. All-Star Ryan Yarbrough (7-2, 2.77) gets the start for the Generals while the Lookouts will send Aaron Slegers (5-4, 3.59) to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 pm CT/7:15 ET, 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 6:00 pm CT/7:00 pm ET with the Generals Pregame Show.
The Jackson Generals return home on Wednesday June 29th for a five-game series against the Mississippi Braves at The Ballpark at Jackson! Game two of the series on Thursday June 30th at 7:05 pm CT is a State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar night. All general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi products, and select draft beers will be just $1 courtesy of State Farm Agent Wes Harris! Friday July 1st at 7:05 pm CT is another Chick-Fil-A Friday where the Generals will continue to sell Chick-Fil-A sandwiches at The Ballpark and all fans will receive Chick-Fil-A coupons as well! Saturday and Sunday July 2nd and 3rd both start at 6:05 pm CT and are both American Nights! There will be fireworks after both games to celebrate America's birthday!
Come watch the playoff-bound Generals throughout the second half! To purchase tickets, call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com!