M-Braves take opener from Generals, 7-6

Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, suffered their third consecutive one-run loss on Friday, falling 7-6 to the Mississippi Braves (27-32).

The defeat at The Ballpark at Jackson was the 11^th loss for the Generals (34-27) in 18 one-run games this year, and their 15^th loss at home.
  
In his first start at The Ballpark at Jackson since September 3, 2005, right-hander Ricky Nolasco avoided taking a loss but didn't escape damage. The veteran began the second inning by allowing three consecutive hits to Riley Unroe, Carlos Martínez, and Luis Valenzuela. Valenzuela's RBI double drove in Unroe to tie the game at 1-1, and two batters, later, Mississippi pitcher Joey Wentz grounded out to Nolasco to drive in Martinez for a 2-1 Braves lead. Tyler Neslony hit the first pitch of the third inning off the scoreboard in right-center field for a lead-taking homer at 3-2, and Mississippi extended the lead to 4-2 in the fourth by manufacturing a run on an infield error, two stolen bases, and a sacrifice fly.
Nolasco would exit after three-and-two-thirds innings, throwing 88 pitches while allowing seven hits, walking two men and striking out two others. In relief, Kevin McCanna and Miguel Aguilar did outstanding work, tossing three-and-one-third combined innings without allowing a hit while the Jackson offense found its footing. Jackson rallied from a 4-2 hole with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, a lead-taking run in the seventh to go up 5-4, and another last-gasp score in the ninth to pull within 7-6. Daulton Varsho, Pavin Smith, and Ramon Hernandez each had multi-hit games to contribute to the effort, with Hernandez compiling season-highs with three hits and three runs. Nevertheless, a rocky showing by Matt Brill (0-3, 7.71 ERA) in the eighth and ninth innings hurt the Generals' chances for a comeback win, sending Jackson to their third one-run defeat in a row.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
6:05 pm CT Saturday (6/8) vs. Mississippi Braves
The Ballpark at Jackson - Jackson, Tenn.
RHP Bo Takahashi (4-2, 3.12 ERA) vs. LHP Tucker Davidson (2-4, 1.82 ERA)
BROADCAST: Jackson Generals Broadcast Network
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
June 7-16 vs. Mississippi Braves (AA, Atlanta Braves) and Biloxi Shuckers (AA, Milwaukee Brewers)
…featuring Spy/Detective Night (June 8) and Space Jam Night (June 15)!
 
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 defending Southern League champions today by calling 731.988.5299 or visiting JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!