Morban, Generals Rally Late for 8-4 Win, Stop Skid

JACKSON, Tenn. (May 15, 2013) - The Generals (16-21) ended their three-game losing streak Wednesday with an 8-4 victory over the Tennessee Smokies (19-19). Jackson's Julio Morban extended his hitting streak to 12 games Wednesday after going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple and four RBI. 

Smokies' catcher Jay Fernandez broke the scoreless tie with a two-run blast in the second frame starting the scoring. 

In the bottom of the fourth, the Generals responded. Brad Miller (1-3, RBI, 2 R, BB) led off the inning with a walk. Vinnie Catricala (3-4, 2 R) smashed a double down the right field line, which put Miller and Catricala in scoring position. Julio Morban (4-4, 4 RBI, R, 3B) tied the game with a two RBI single to center. After four, the Smokies and Generals were tied 2-2.

The Smokies added a run in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead by a wild pitch from Brett Shankin. 

Newcomer Patrick Brady (2-3, R, 2B) hit a two-out double in the fifth and was stranded.

In the sixth, the Smokies tacked on another run with a two-out single from Christian Villanueva. Halfway through six, the Smokies led 4-2. 

The lead would hold until the bottom of the eighth. Back-to-back singles to center put Brady and Leon Landry (1-1, R) on base. Generals' shortstop Gabriel Noriega (0-3) sacrificed the runners into scoring position. The Generals' second basemen Brad Miller evened the score with a bases clearing single to left-center. Vinnie Catricala moved Miller to third by a single to left. That gave the Generals' hottest hitter, Julio Morban, a chance to break the tie. Morban's triple down the first base line plated Miller and Catricala. Morban scored on an error by the Smokies. The Generals tacked one more run on after James Jones stole third and then advanced home on a throwing error by the Smokies' catcher. After eight, the Generals led 8-4. The lead would hold for the final.

Generals' RHP Brett Shankin (7.2,7,4,3,2,5,1) picked up the no-decision onWednesday. The Smokies' starter, Eric Jokisch picked up a no-decision as well. Generals reliever Tyler Burgoon (W, 1-1,1,0,0,0,2,0) earned the win. Smokies' reliever Brian Schlitter was given the loss on the mound. 

The series finale between the Generals and Smokies will be Thursday at 7:05 p.m. CST. Jackson will start LHP Anthony Fernandez (1-0, 9.45) and the Smokies will start RHP Matt Loosen (0-1, 8.49). Thursday is Dollar Night, presented by MobileNation and their will also be a postgame Jupiter Stone concert. If you can't make it to the ballpark, the game can be heard on 96.5 ESPN Radio, TuneIn Radio App. and jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.

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