Gillheeney falls short in no-hit bid

While he didn't get the win, James Gillheeney may have righted his ship with Tuesday's performance.

The left-handed Mariners prospect took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but did not figure into the decision as Double-A Jackson defeated Birmingham, 3-2, in 15 innings.

Gillheeney gave up a two-out single in the seventh inning to Jared Mitchell, although Michael Earley was thrown out at third base by right fielder Julio Morban on the play to end the inning.

Then the 25-year-old gave up a single to Brandon Short and a two-run homer by Cody Puckett in the eighth. He exited with one out in the frame.

After a lackluster June, the Rhode Island native got July started off on a positive note. Gillheeney went 1-3 with a 6.45 ERA in five starts last month as Southern League batters hit .279 against him.

Overall, the 2009 eighth-round pick is 3-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 10 starts for Jackson.

The Generals bullpen contributed 7 2/3 innings of two-hit relief. Tyler Burgoon walked two in his frame, Carson Smith tossed 1 2/3 hitless frames and Kyle Hunter struck out three while giving up a single over 2 2/3 innings. Andrew Kitteridge picked up his first win after allowing a hit over 2 1/3 frames.

James Jones ended the nearly five-hour game with a walk-off single for the Generals. Ramon Morla plated a pair of runs and Morban, the Mariners' No. 11 prospect, scored twice.

Josh Romanski fell to 1-1 after allowing an unearned run on three hits over 2 1/3 frames for Birmingham.