Paolini's four hits guide Generals to 7-6 comeback win Sunday
MONTGOMERY, ALA. (AUGUST 31, 2014) - Dan Paolini (4x5, 2 R, 3 RBI) collected four hits and came a triple shy of the cycle as the Generals (31-38/62-76) won a back-and-forth contest Sunday, 7-6 over Montgomery (31-38/66-73). The win was Jackson's second straight and forces the rubber game of the season's final series Monday. D.J. Peterson (2x5, RBI) and Tyler Marlette (2x4, HR, RBI) each added multi-hit nights at the plate. Also with the win, Jackson improved to just 6-56 when trailing after six innings.
The scoring started early and continued often in the battle between teams out of playoff contention. Jackson was the first to dent the scoreboard after Tyler Smith (0x4, 2 R, BB) led off the game with a walk, Paolini blasted his team-leading 13th home run of the year and quickly the Generals led 2-0.
Montgomery were not phased as they quickly tied the score in the bottom of the inning with a couple of long balls of their own. Ryan Brett led off the bottom of the first with his eighth homer of the year to cut the lead in half. Then, after starter Stephen Landazuri (6-5, 4.33) retired the next two batters, Richie Shaffer also went deep, his 19th this season, and just as quickly as Jackson had a lead, the Biscuits tied it 2-2.
Remarkably in this high scoring battle, no more runs crossed the plate again until the fourth. Jackson again took a two-run lead as Jabari Blash (1x3, R) led off the inning with a triple and scored on a Jordy Lara (1x3, RBI) sacrifice fly. Marlette followed with his second Double-A long ball and the Generals led 4-2.
The Biscuits quickly tied the score once again in the bottom half as Cameron Sietzer doubled home Richie Shaffer to cut the lead to one. After a base hit, fly out and walk, the bases were loaded for Willie Argo who walked and Shaffer scored to tie the game again, 4-4. Brett followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Justin O'Conner and Montgomery had their first lead of the game, 5-4.
Just an inning later the lead increased as Seitzer hit another sac fly for his team and Taylor Motter crossed the plate to increase the lead to 6-4.
After another rare scoreless inning in the seventh, Paolini belted a big two-out double to score Smith and then Peterson followed with a single that brought in Paolini and the game was tied again, this time at 6-6.
With two outs in the eighth, Kevin Rivers (0x4) reached on an error and Leon Landry (0x0, R), who was pinch running at second, kept running around third and scored to give Jackson a 7-6 lead.
Matt Brazis (1-1, 2 SV, 1.64) pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the win and earn his second save of the season. Reliever Kyle Hunter (5-3, 3.25) earned the win with 2.2 scoreless innings in which he allowed just two hits and struck out two. Parker Markel (0-1, 3.78) took the loss as he allowed the go-ahead run in 1.0 inning of work.
Neither starter factored in the decision as it was a tough night for both. Jackson starter Landazuri only lasted 4.1 innings and allowed six runs on six hits while striking out three and walking three in his final start of 2014.
Paolini recorded his second four-hit game of the season (last on 8/9 at PEN) and also collected his team-leading 32nd double.
The Generals will attempt to win their final series of the season in their final game of the season Monday against the Biscuits. Jackson will send Victor Sanchez (7-6, 3.99) to the mound as Victor Mateo (2-10, 3.72) will toe the rubber for Montgomery. The game will begin at 12:05 p.m. and can be heard on 96.5 ESPN, TuneIn Radio and jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.