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Jackson Generals

Blash Leads Generals in Split Twin Bill

June 20, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Jackson, Tenn. - Jabari Blash lifted a late bases-clearing double to give the Jackson Generals an 8-7 comeback win to open a doubleheader split with the Birmingham Barons Saturday at The Ballpark at Jackson. 3,801 fans attended Saturday's twin bill, which was capped by a 3-1 Barons victory in the second game on Superhero Night.

Blash capped a comeback in the sixth inning of game one with a three-run double. Trailing 7-5, Jackson rallied with two outs to extend the inning. A single, an error, and a walk loaded the bases for Blash, who doubled to center field and drove in Jordy Lara, D.J. Peterson and Tyler Smith for an 8-7 advantage.

Birmingham and Jackson went back and forth early in Saturday's opener. Brian Fletcher scored in the second for Birmingham and capped a three-run rally in the third with a two-run single that followed Danny Hayes's RBI groundout. Tim Anderson had an RBI double and scored in the fourth before Rob Brantly's fifth-inning solo shot gave the Barons a comfortable lead at the time.

The Generals scored in five consecutive frames including Blash's winning double during the sixth. Blash hit his team-high 10th home run in the second inning, a two-run shot that gave Jackson a brief 2-1 lead. Dan Paolini scored on an error in the third, and Burt Reynolds clubbed his first-ever Double-A home run in the fourth. Lara came in on another Barons error in the fifth inning as well.

Scott DeCecco (2-4) earned the win with a scoreless sixth inning before Matt Anderson picked up his 10th save after a shutout seventh to finish Jackson's 8-7 win. Birmingham's Devon Davis (1-1) took the loss.

In game two, both teams scored in the second inning. Chris Jacobs brought in Brian Fletcher with an RBI single in Birmingham's half of the inning, but Blash later tied the game at 1-1 by scoring on a passed ball.

Birmingham (32-36) grabbed a 3-1 lead on a fourth-inning home run. Jackson (29-38) allowed a leadoff walk to Christian Marrero, who moved to second base on a groundout by Fletcher. Chris Curley carried a two-run blast over the 24-foot-high left field wall to give the Barons a 3-1 advantage.

Mark Blackmar tossed a complete game and earned his first win of the season. Blackmar went the distance and allowed just three hits and one run in the victory to improve to 1-4 and claim his first win since August 29, 2014 when he pitched for the Frederick Keys in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Jake Zokan (2-4) took the loss after allowing all three Barons runs over four innings pitched.

During game two, Jackson wore superhero-themed jerseys that are currently up for auction online at generals.milbauctions.com/. The auction will continue through Sunday, June 28 with proceeds going to benefit Ashley Furniture's official charity, A Hope to Dream.

This five-game series closes Sunday with Jackson hosting Birmingham at 2:05 p.m. CT. Generals southpaw Misael Siverio (2-6, 4.63) will face Barons right-hander Tyler Barnette (2-3, 1.60). Brandon Liebhaber and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call Sunday's game on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1 and 94.3). Coverage starts at 1:50 p.m. CT with the Jackson Generals Pregame Show, protected by the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Celebrate Father's Day at The Ballpark at Jackson on another BancorpSouth Family FunDay Sunday. All kids age 12 and under receive a free general admission ticket, free ice cream and free entrance to the Fun Zone. There will also be an opportunity to play catch on the field before Sunday's contest. For more information and to purchase tickets for any Generals home game, call (731) 988.5299, stop by the park or visit jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.

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