Generals Score Early and Often, Even Up Series

KODAK, TN - The Jackson Generals (5-6) won a lopsided contest Tuesday night at Smokies Stadium, taking down the Tennessee Smokies (7-4), 9-0. It is the Smokies largest home shutout loss since September 2017, also against the Generals. Jackson scored four runs in each of the first two innings, highlighted by bak-to-back home runs in the second to blow the game open.
Jackson opened the top of the first with five straight hits off RHP Thomas Hatch (L, 0-1). Jamie Westbrook drove in Andy Young with an RBI-single to start the scoring. Daulton Varsho lined the next pitch into left for an RBI-double. Ramon Her- nandez followed with an RBI-single, and Jazz Chisholm's double play groundout scored the fourth run.
After two walks and a sacrifice bunt to start the second, Pavin Smith hit a three-run home run to right off Hatch to put the Generals up 7-0. A few pitches later, Westbrook hit a solo home run over the right field wall to extend the lead to 8-0.
Varsho opened up the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to right-centerfield to round out the scoring at 9-0. RHP Bo Takahashi (W, 2-0) earned the win. He allowed three hits and struck out three over five innings. Hatch's loss was his first decision of the season, as he surrendered a career-high three home runs and nine runs while also matching a career-high by allowing eight hits over 4.1 innings.
The Smokies look to break the tied series Wednesday night at Smokies Stadium. RHP Cory Abbott (1-0, 1.69) will start for Tennessee, as the Generals counter with RHP Emilio Vargas (0-0, 0.90). Wednesday night at the ballpark is Free Beer Night presented by Bud Light. With the purchase of a refillable Smokies Mason Jar, fans 21 years or older can enjoy free draft beer from first pitch until the Generals score their first run.