Generals Drop A Close One on SEC Night
Jackson, Tenn. - In front of 3,010 on SEC Night, the Generals lost by a run to the Chattanooga Lookouts Saturday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. The Generals put the potential tying run into scoring position in the ninth inning, but could not get Tim Lopes home as Chattanooga went on to a 2-1 victory.
The Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough made his return from the disabled list, but wound up throwing just two innings. Chattanooga (38-30, 74-64) got three hits and a run on the first, taking a 1-0 lead on an Edgar Corcino double. It could have been more, but Benji Gonzalez cut down Niko Goodrum trying to score from first on the play to end the inning.
Jackson (37-30, 83-54) got on the board to tie the game up in the third inning. With one out, Brock Hebert doubled to left center for the team's first extra-base hit in six games. He moved to third on an Ian Miller single that loaded the bases before scoring on Tyler O'Neill's sacrifice fly to center field. The Generals only got one run, as Miller was tagged out trying to move up from first on the fly ball. The RBI was O'Neill's 102nd of the season.
The Lookouts immediately took the lead back with their only run off of Kyle Hunter (3-4, 4.25), who was otherwise solid in four innings of relief. Goodrum led off the inning with a single before moving to third on a groundout and another base hit. Stuart Turner got Goodrum in with a long sacrifice fly to left field, making it 2-1 Lookouts.
That was it for Chattanooga, as Jackson got seven very solid innings in relief. After four frames from Hunter, Kyle Schepel pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts. Matt Anderson retired the side in order in the ninth as well.
Unfortunately, the offense could not push across a second run. Benji Gonzalez's fifth-inning single was the last hit for the Generals on the night. Chattanooga's Kohl Stewart (9-6, 3.03) allowed just one run on three hits over six innings before handing the game over to Randy LeBlanc. LeBlanc (S, 1) pitched the final three innings to pick up the save. Jackson got Tim Lopes to second in the ninth, but LeBlanc struck out Ryan Casteel to end the game.
The loss was Jackson's 11th in 13 games, and the team has now dropped three-straight series for the first time all year. The team has scored just six times over its past five games, with 27 hits over those contests. All but one of those knocks have been singles.
Montgomery won in walk-off fashion Saturday night, clinching a Second Half North Division championship. As a result, the Generals will play the Biscuits in the first round of the playoffs. Games one and two will be in Jackson September 7 and 8! Game three and two more potential games will be played the following three nights in Montgomery.
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!