Generals drop finale despite Duplantier's gem

JACKSON, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, wandered further into the offensive desert on Monday, dropping a 2-1 series finale to the Tennessee Smokies at The Ballpark at Jackson.

In five August games, the Generals (60-53) scored nine runs in against Tennessee (55-57), with Monday's loss being their third defeat in a row.
Generals starter Jon Duplantier made his first appearance at home after returning from a rehab assignment in the Arizona League, and he pitched like a top prospect. The 24-year-old right-hander fired five scoreless, hitless innings on Monday, removed from the game after three strikeouts and 69 pitches with the game still tied at 0-0. The relief appearance by left-hander Daniel Gibson (2-3, 5.40 ERA) did not go as planned: Gibson allowed a two-run home run to Tennessee shortstop Zack Short that gave the Smokies all the cushion they would need. Tennessee collected only five hits on the evening, with three coming in the sixth inning. Kevin Ginkel and Yoan López worked the final three frames without allowing any further damage, giving the Generals' offense a chance to rally.
At the plate, the opportunities were limited for Jackson because of the work of Duncan Robinson (6-4, 3.56 ERA) and the Smokies bullpen. Though Kevin Medrano and Domingo Leyba both recorded multiple hits on Monday, the home side went 1-for-9 with men in scoring position and left nine men stranded on base. Jackson left the bases loaded in the first inning and put the tying run on base three times in the final four innings, but a comeback never came to fruition. The Generals are now 0-7 in rubber games in 2018, winning only two of their nine Second Half series to date.  
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
6:15 pm CT Wednesday (8/8) vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
AT&T Field - Chattanooga, Tenn.
RHP Emilio Vargas (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. LHP Lewis Thorpe (7-4, 3.67 ERA)
Broadcast Link: Jackson Generals Baseball Network
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
August 14-18 vs. Montgomery Biscuits (AA, Tampa Bay Rays)
…featuring Shark Week Night (August 18)!
August 30-September 3 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts (AA, Minnesota Twins)
…featuring SEC Night (September 1)!
PLAYOFFS:
In 2018, manager Shelley Duncan and the Generals won the First Half North Division title, assuring them of a bid to the Southern League playoffs in September. Games 1 and 2 of the North Division Series will be held at The Ballpark at Jackson on September 5 and 6. For tickets and more information about the Generals, dial 731.988.5299
or log on to our ticket page at JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!
The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2017, The Ballpark at Jackson was named the Professional Sports Field of the Year by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association.