Duncan's Near No-No Snaps Skid

Jackson, Tenn. -Frank Duncan nearly threw the second no-hitter in franchise history Friday, but he settled for Jackson's longest start of the year in a 2-1 win over Biloxi at The Ballpark at Jackson. The right-hander took a no-hit bid into the ninth inning before Angel Ortega broke it up with an infield single.
Duncan (1-1, 2.51) was superb in his second start for the Generals after spending much of 2017 with Triple-A Reno. He faced the minimum through eight innings, walking two but inducing a pair of double plays. After walking Dustin DeMuth in the fifth, he retired 11 in a row. Duncan capped off the stretch by striking out the side in the eighth.

Jackson (24-29, 61-62) led 2-0 going into the ninth. Duncan got two strikes on Angel Ortega before surrendering a broken bat single that second baseman Vladimir Frias could not field cleanly to break up the no-hitter. Dustin Houle followed with a double before Tyrone Taylor scored Ortega with a sac fly to knock Duncan out of the game with Jackson up 2-1.
The Generals held on, with Joey Krehbiel recording the final two outs. Krehbiel (S, 2) struck out Troy Stokes to end the contest and earn the save. The win put a halt to Jackson's seven-game losing streak, the team's longest of the season.
Duncan turned in Jackson's longest start in the win, going 8.1 innings while allowing just a run on two hits. He struck out five and walked two. He recorded 12 outs via groundball compared to just three in the air. Jackson's last-and only-no-hitter in franchise history remains the one Cubs' prospect Dave Manning threw for the Diamond Jaxx in 1999.
On offense, Jackson did just enough to get the win. With two outs in the first, the Generals managed to rally. Kevin Cron dropped a single down the left field line and came all the way around on a Michael Perez double. Cron was involved in Jackson's second run of the night as well, which did not come until the eighth. Jamie Westbrook led off the frame with a triple, and Cron drove him in with a double high off the fence in left to give the Generals a 2-0 cushion. Cron leads the Southern League with 84 RBI.
Biloxi (26-25, 62-58) got a strong start from Freddy Peralta, but it was not enough against Frank Duncan Friday. Peralta (1-4, 2.45) took the tough-luck loss, allowing just one run in 5.1 innings while striking out seven. The game took just over two hours to complete.
Jackson can tie the series at two games apiece Saturday night. Alex Young (8-7, 3.94) takes the hill for the Generals against Biloxi's Jon Perrin (4-2, 3.18). First pitch is at 6:05 pm CT, and fans can listen starting with the Pregame Show at 5:50 pm CT on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM!
Saturday is Big Bang Theory Night presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza with Postgame Fireworks! The Generals will be giving away t-shirts, and one lucky fan will win a trip to Wizard World Comic Con in Nashville! Jackson's special Superhero Jerseys will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Ashley Furniture's A Hope to Dream Foundation!
The final Fireworks Show of the year is August 26! Jackson's annual SEC Night with Postgame Fireworks is sponsored by WBBJ and Jackson Sport & Fitness! The Generals will be giving away tickets to a number of SEC Football games throughout the night! Early arrivers will take home a trucker hat, and the Memphis Grizzlies Caravan will be at the game with former Kentucky standout Andrew Harrison! Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20th season of professional baseball in Jackson, and the first for the team as an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks! Call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com to secure your seats now!