Jackson, Tenn. - Gabe Speier's longest outing of the season came in his first home start, but the young lefty didn't get enough timely run support, as the Generals fell 5-3 to Tennessee. The Saturday crowd of 3,110 watched Jackson battle back in the ninth, but the rally proved too
Jackson, Tenn. - Gabe Speier's longest outing of the season came in his first home start, but the young lefty didn't get enough timely run support, as the Generals fell 5-3 to Tennessee. The Saturday crowd of 3,110 watched Jackson battle back in the ninth, but the rally proved too little in their second loss of the series.
Speier (2-4, 4.23 ERA) started for the second time this year, completing 5.0 innings with an extremely efficient 54-pitch effort. The 22-year-old allowed four hits and one earned run, striking out two without walking a batter. The Generals' offense collected three of their seven hits in the ninth inning, scoring twice to bring the tying run to the plate before being retired.
Trailing 5-1 entering the ninth, Evan Marzilli pulled a two-out pinch-hit single into right field to keep the Generals afloat. Kevin Medrano followed with a double to left-center field, scoring Marzilli to bring the Generals (31-31) within three. Victor Reyes extended the inning further with a base knock to center field, plating Medrano and pulling Jackson within 5-3. Rudy Flores, representing the tying run, struck out with Reyes aboard to end the valiant effort.
The only troublesome inning for Speier was the second. The Smokies (35-26) recorded consecutive singles to open the inning, with Yasiel Balaguert and Jeffrey Baez each moving up a base after the third hitter of the inning, Trey Martin, hit a sacrifice flyout to deep center field. Tennessee catcher Erick Castillo then laid down a squeeze bunt to the right side of the infield, compelling Speier to take the easy force-out at first base rather than prevent Balaguert from scoring.
After Speier batted in the bottom of the fifth, he was removed in favor of left-hander Alex Young, who surrendered three consecutive hits to begin the frame. David Bote singled home Tennessee shortstop Carlos Penalver to add to the Smokies' lead, and Bote later scored on a sacrifice fly by Balaguert to make it 3-0 after the top of the sixth.
The Generals put pressure on Duane Underwood Jr. (5-4, 5.11 ERA), but they managed only one run. Kevin Cron bashed a double to right-center field with one out, and two-out walks to Colin Walsh and Dawel Lugo loaded the bases, chasing Underwood in favor of James Pugliese. Pugliese issued a bases-loaded walk to Stewart Ijames to bring the Generals within 3-1, but he struck out pinch-hitter Travis Denker looking to end the frame.
A Bote sacrifice fly in the seventh made Tennessee's advantage 4-1. Balaguert added to the Tennessee total with a solo home run in the 8th, recording his second dinger in as many games.
Medrano went 2-for-3 at the plate, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Right-hander J.R. Bradley made his Jackson debut in the ninth inning, tossing a scoreless frame with a pair of strikeouts.
The Generals continue their final First Half series with another 6:05 pm CT first pitch on Sunday! Game three against Tennessee will mark Jackson's first scheduled Sunday night home game of the year, with right-hander Joel Payamps (0-1, 5.63 ERA) getting the ball for the home side. You can hear the game on the Jackson Generals Baseball Network on TuneIn Radio.
Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20th season of professional baseball in Jackson, and the first for the team as an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks! Call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com to secure your seats now!
