Six-pack of runs fuels Generals' win at Tennessee

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, boat-raced the Tennessee Smokies on Wednesday, winning 6-2 at Smokies Stadium to even their series at two games apiece.

In the win, Jackson (68-60) spoiled the hopes of many in a crowd of 4,371 that had been promised free beer as long as Tennessee (64-63) kept the Generals from scoring.
The suds became suddenly expensive just five pitches into the first frame, as the Generals tapped Tennessee starter Keegan Thompson for a pair of runs in their first at-bat. Center fielder Ben DeLuzio popped open the top with a lead-off double, and infielder Kevin Medrano poured him in from second base with a lead-taking RBI single. Domingo Leyba kept the Generals' brew cold by delivering a double to right field to bring home Medrano and up the lead to 2-0.
Thompson settled in thereafter, keeping a lid on the visitors' bats through the rest of his six innings on the hill. After DeLuzio reached on a fielder's choice in the seventh and stole second base, a thirsty Medrano stepped up to the bar with the score tied 2-2. Four pitches later, the Southern League leader in batting average ordered his second round of the night, bringing DeLuzio home with a single to right field for a 3-2 lead.
Not quite finished, the Generals sent outfielder Jason Morozowski in to pinch hit in the eighth inning with two on and two out. All Morozowski did was uncork a three-run shot off of Tennessee's Scott Effross (2-5, 6.02 ERA), giving Jackson a proper night-cap while claiming a 6-2 lead. The Jackson offense left ten men on base overall, but they scored six runs for the second consecutive game, collecting a total of five extra-base hits in the winning effort.
On the mound, Jackson right-hander Jon Duplantier (5-1, 2.03 ERA) bounced back from a pair of command-challenged starts with six strong innings against the Smokies. The 24-year-old faced the minimum through the first three frames, and he kept Tennessee quiet through the game's first 14 outs.
A two-run double by opposing pitcher Keegan Thompson in the fifth spoiled Duplantier's shutout, but he recovered and finished with five strikeouts to go with a pair of walks and eight groundball outs induced. Southpaw Miguel Aguilar picked up his third hold at Double-A with a clean seventh inning, and Yoan López closed the Generals' tab with a pair of punchouts and no runs allowed over the final two innings.
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
6:00 pm CT Thursday (8/23) vs. Tennessee Smokies
Smokies Stadium - Sevierville, Tenn.
RHP Justin Donatella (5-8, 4.00 ERA) vs. TBA
Broadcast Link: Tennessee Smokies Baseball Network
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
August 30-September 3 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts (AA, Minnesota Twins)
…featuring SEC Night (September 1)!
PLAYOFFS!
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.