O'Neill Makes History, But Generals Swept
Biloxi, Miss. - Tyler O'Neill's spectacular season continued Monday as he set the single-season franchise record for runs batted in with a two-run home run, but it was not enough as the Generals fell twice to Biloxi at MGM Park in a doubleheader. Jackson fell 5-3 in game one before being held to just two hits in a 6-1 loss to cap off the night. For the first time in August, the Generals fell from the top spot in the North Division.
Jackson (36-26, 82-50) is now a half-game back of Montgomery in the North Division after the Biscuits swept a doubleheader in Mobile. The Generals have dropped seven of their last eight contest after sweeping Birmingham earlier this month, while Montgomery has won eight of nine to overcome a 5.5-game deficit. Meanwhile, Biloxi (30-33, 68-63) is in position to claim an unlikely wild card spot in the postseason in the South with their two wins Monday.
Game One: Biloxi 5, Generals 3
Tyler O'Neill made history and almost brought the Generals back with a dramatic two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning, but Jackson fell short 5-3 in the opener Monday. Down 5-1 in the final frame, O'Neill launched a two-run home run to right field off of Biloxi's Tayler Scott. The blast gave O'Neill sole possession of the single-season franchise RBI record with 99 on the season, besting Julio Zuleta's 97 runs batted in for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in 1999.
The Generals struck first in the contest to take an early lead. With one out, Tim Lopes walked and stole second before Dario Pizzano shot an RBI double down the left-field line to put Jackson on top 1-0. That was all the damage done to Biloxi starter Taylor Jungmann (3-3, 2.33), who was able to strand six runners over five innings to pick up the win.
Biloxi answered right back against Andrew Moore (9-2, 3.17) in the bottom inning. Johnny Davis led off with a double and was sacrificed to third before scoring the tying run on a Nick Ramirez groundout. The Shuckers took a commanding lead in the second inning thanks to a rally with two outs and nobody on. Davis followed singles from Tom Belza and Rene Garcia with an RBI knock to left field, putting the Shuckers on top 2-1. Brett Phillips then crushed a three-run home run off the right-field scoreboard at MGM Park to make it 5-1.
That was it for the home team on offense, but it wound up being enough. Moore gave up five runs in two innings of work before Kyle Hunter and Aaron Brooks pitched four innings of scoreless relief.
Jackson did not score again until O'Neill's dramatic homer in the seventh. With two outs and nobody on, former General Stephen Kohlscheen (S, 22) was called upon. The righty retired Dario Pizzano on two pitches to pick up his 22nd save of the season.
Game Two: Biloxi 6, Generals 1
Game two followed a similar script, with the Generals scoring in the first only to see Biloxi come roaring back. Jackson drew three walks in the opening frame before a Ryan Casteel sacrifice fly made it 1-0.
The early edge was short-lived, as Biloxi scored four runs in almost no time in their half of the inning. Three-straight singles form Johnny Davis, Brett Phillips and Clint Coulter tied the game at one before Nick Ramirez launched a three-run homer to right field, makint it 4-1. Jackson starter Tyler Herb (2-3, 4.86) settled down after that to retire nine of the next ten men he faced, but the damage had already been done.
Biloxi's Brandon Woodruff (9-8, 3.21) was sensational after issuing the three walks in the first inning. The Southern League's Player of the Month in July wound up allowing just two hits over seven innings while striking out ten. Tim Lopes singled in the third inning and Adam Law had a single in the fourth to account for Jackson's only two hits in the nightcap. Woodruff retired the final11 batters he faced to finish off the win.
Herb gave up one more run in the fourth on an RBI single by Tom Belza, and Dustin DeMuth drove in a run with a base hit to left off of Isaac Sanchez in the fifth, giving the Shuckers a 6-1 lead they would not relinquish.
Prior to last Tuesday, the Generals had not been swept in a doubleheader all season long. It has now happened twice in the span of a week, as Tennessee took two games in Jackson six days ago. The two losses Monday were the first two defeats away from home in the month of August for the Generals. The team now finds itself out of first place in the North Division for the first time since July 31.
Jackson looks to rebound and regain the top spot in the fourth game of the series at MGM Park Tuesday night. Paul Blackburn (8-5, 3.41) takes the ball for the Generals against Biloxi's Jorge Lopez (1-3, 4.19), last year's Southern League Pitcher of the Year. First pitch is set for 6:40 pm CT, and you can catch all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1) in Jackson and online via the TuneIn Radio App starting at 6:25 pm CT!
After five in Biloxi, the Generals return to West Tennessee for their final home series of the regular season! Thursday, September 1 is a State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar Night, with $1 general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi products and select beer! Saturday, September 3 is the team's annual SEC Night presented by Tennova Health Care. The Generals will be giving out SEC football tickets throughout the night, and a lucky fan will also go home with a La-Z-Boy recliner courtesy of Coffman's Home Furnishings! Postgame, everyone will enjoy a fantastic fireworks display!
The regular season concludes September 4 and 5. The Sunday game is a Family FunDay Sunday, with children 12 and under getting free admission, ice cream, fun zone access and a chance to play catch on the field pregame! The finale starts at 2:05 pm on Labor Day! After the game, fans can enjoy music and then fireworks to end the celebration thanks to WBBJ!
Get your tickets to see the playoff-bound Generals as they wrap up the regular season by calling the team at (731) 988.5299, stopping by The Ballpark or going online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com!