Biloxi upstages Jackson in eventful ninth, 3-2

Biloxi, Miss. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, failed to capitalize on a brilliant start on Saturday from right-hander Cole Stapler, dropping a 3-2 game in walk-off fashion to the Biloxi Shuckers at MGM Park.

The loss drops Jackson (57-46) to a record of 13-16 in one-run games and 7-10 in games decided in the final at-bat.
Stapler's best start at Double-A featured four hits and one run allowed over seven innings, matching a career-high for length. His first quality start with the Generals was marred by a solo home run from Cooper Hummel in the second inning that swung Biloxi into the lead, 1-0. Stapler completed seven frames on just 76 pitches, striking out five men while walking one and inducing ten groundball outs.
The Generals equalized in the fifth inning, as a sacrifice fly to Hummel in left field off the bat of Ramon Hernandez allowed Pavin Smith to score the game-tying run. Stapler departed the 1-1 game after the seventh, giving way to Miguel Aguilar for a scoreless eighth before a tug-of-war ninth inning made for quite the finish at MGM Park.
Jamie Westbrook led off the top of the ninth with a single against Marcos Diplan (3-4, 4.99 ERA), and Smith followed with a first-pitch triple to center field that allowed Westbrook to score the go-ahead run, bringing back memories of Jackson's 2018 Southern League Championship Series victory that followed a similar script. This time, the Shuckers had alternate plans, as Jake Gatewood jacked a two-run, walk-off homer against Michael Kohn (2-1, 2.91 ERA) in the bottom of the ninth to clinch the 3-2 comeback victory for Biloxi. The Generals went hitless in six chances with men in scoring position on the night and were ineffective against Shuckers starter Bowden Francis, who matched Stapler blow-for-blow in a seven-inning start of his own.  
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
August 1-5: Generals vs. Mobile BayBears (AA, Los Angeles Angels)
…featuring Disney Night (August 3)!
 
The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. The Generals play at The Ballpark at Jackson, Tennessee's 2017 & 2018 Pro Sports Field of the Year. Purchase your tickets to see the 2018 Southern League champions today by calling 731.988.5299 or visiting JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!