Generals Fall Short to 'Nooga in Opener
Jackson, Tenn. - The Generals had an early lead and put two men on in the ninth, but ultimately dropped a tight contest to Chattanooga Thursday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. Tyler O'Neill drove in his 101st run of the season and Brett Ash turned in six strong innings in the losing effort, as Jackson fell to 1.5 games behind Montgomery in the North Division.
Jackson (37-28, 83-52) got off to a fast start, plating a pair against Southern League Player of the Month in August Stephen Gonsalves. After an Ian Miller walk and a Tim Lopes single, Tyler O'Neill ripped an RBI knock into left field to put the Generals up 1-0. The run batted in was O'Neill's 101st of the season. Later in the frame, Lopes scored when O'Neill was thrown out at third on Adam Law's blooper to center field to double the lead.
The Generals stranded the bases loaded in the frame, and Chattanooga (36-30, 72-64) made them pay with two runs to tie it in the second. The Lookouts had five-straight hits with two outs, getting an RBI single from T.J. White and a run-scoring double from Zach Granite to make it 2-2.
Those were the only two runs allowed by Brett Ash, who turned in a quality start for the Generals. The right-hander surrendered eight hits and two walks over six solid innings. His defense helped him out in the fifth, when Ian Miller gunned down D.J. Hicks at the plate after a Stuart Turner to keep the game tied.
Chattanooga finally broke through against Forrest Snow (2-3, 2.37) in the seventh. Granite led off with a single before swiping second for his 54th steal of the season. Engelb Vielma sacrificed him to third base before Travis Harrison got him home with a groundout to make it 3-2.
Stephen Gonsalves went just three innings and threw 79 pitches for Chattanooga, but the Generals failed to score against a trio of relievers. Todd Van Steensel (1-0, 2.25) pitched three scoreless frames to pick up the win and Randy Rosario threw two shutout frames behind him.
The Generals nearly tied the game in the ninth against Raul Fernandez (S, 6). Pat Brady drew a walk to start the frame and Alexander Capriata laid down a sac bunt to move him into scoring position. Ian Miller walked to put both the tying and winning runs on base. After a Tim Lopes pop fly, Tyler O'Neill came to the plate with a chance to do some damage. He ripped a Fernandez offering, but it bounced right to shortstop Niko Goodrum who went to second base for the game's final out. The Generals were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position in the loss.
The loss was Jackson's ninth in 11 games, and they are now 1.5 games behind Montgomery in the Second Half standings after the Biscuits held on for a win over the Smokies Thursday. The Generals have not had an extra-base hit since Tyler O'Neill's home run in game one of a doubleheader in Biloxi Monday. All 19 of the team's hits over the last four games have been singles.
The final home series continues Friday night at The Ballpark. Andrew Moore (9-2, 3.17) goes for his 10th Double-A win against Chattanooga right-hander Aaron Slegers (9-7, 3.58). 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) in Jackson and online via the TuneIn Radio App starting at 6:50 pm CT!
The last homestand of the regular season is filled with fun! 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 from the Pamela K. Ward Band and then fireworks to end the celebration thanks to WBBJ!
After Labor Day, the Generals will host the first two games of the playoffs September 7 and 8 at 6:05 pm CT presented by Buffalo Wild Wings! 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!