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Jackson Generals

Bortnick's Two Blasts Boost Generals to Win

August 30, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Jackson, Tenn. - For the second time in a week, an impressive offensive display by Tyler Bortnick led the way for the Jackson Generals in a victory as the team went on to an 8-2 win over Pensacola Sunday afternoon at The Ballpark. Bortnick blasted two home runs, including a fifth-inning grand slam, as the Generals took a 2-1 lead in the five-game series.

Coming into Sunday, Bortnick's last affiliated home run came August 22, 2013 with the Triple-A Reno Aces as a member of the Diamondbacks' organization. The infielder hit his first with the Mariners in the opening inning, taking Tim Adleman deep to left field as Jackson (20-41, 49-81) went up 1-0.

Bortnick wasn't done, as he put an exclamation point on Jackson's five-run rally in the fifth inning. Aderlin Rodriguez led off the inning with a single and Marcus Littlewood followed with a double to put men on second and third with nobody out. Zach Shank drove a single to left-center that doubled Jackson's lead. Three batters later with the bases, Bortnick once again went yard as his grand slam made it 6-0. The blast knocked Adleman (9-9, 2.43) out of the contest after 4.1 innings as his ERA jumped from 2.12 to 2.43.

The two bombs gave Bortnick the first multi-homer game of his professional career dating back to 2009. He has now hit and scored in five-straight games including a five-hit game in the team's win on Thursday. He is 11-for-19 with 2 home runs, three doubles, seven RBIs and nine runs scored over the stretch.

The grand slam was Jackson's fourth of the season, and the first since Jordy Lara's blast July 28 in Biloxi. Bortnick also joined Jabari Blash and Marcus Littlewood as players to go deep twice in a game this year.

Dylan Unsworth (3-7, 4.60) was sensational on the mound, tossing six scoreless innings while giving up just three hits and two walks. He struck out five while working into the seventh. It marked the second game in a row that the Generals got six scoreless frames from a starter.

Jackson added a pair of runs in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach. Tyler Smith loaded the bases with a single to right field, extending his on-base streak to 24 games. The team's first run scored on an error by Pensacola's Marquez Smith and Jordy Lara drove in his 47th run of the year with a sacrifice fly to make it 8-0.

Pensacola (35-28, 60-71) did score in each of the final two innings against Jackson's bullpen, but only managed to make a dent in the lead. Alex Blandino's RBI single in the eighth inning put the Wahoos on the board snapped a 14-inning scoreless streak for Andrew Kittredge. Juan Duran homered to left-center off of Matt Anderson to make it 8-2.

The Generals have an opportunity to go for their second home series of the Second Half on Monday night. All-Star James Gillheeney (4-5, 3.13) goes for Jackson against Pensacola lefty Cody Reed (4-2, 3.03), who was acquired in the Johnny Cueto trade. First pitch from The Ballpark at Jackson is slated for 7:05 pm CT and you can listen to all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1 and 94.3) in Jackson and online via the TuneIn Radio App starting with the Tennessee Army National Guard Pregame Show at 6:50 pm CT!

Monday and Tuesday are both Fan Appreciation Nights in Jackson! The team is offering free admission to both contests to thank the Jackson fans for all their support in 2015! Finish off your summer of fun with the Jackson Generals! For more information, call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by the park or g online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.

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