SL1 Jackson Generals

Generals Blow Seven-Run Lead, But Win 9-7 in 11th

Published on June 22, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


PEARL, MISS. (JUNE 22, 2014) - Jackson blew a 7-0 lead on Sunday night, but came up with two clutch hits in the 11th inning to win 9-7 over the Mississippi Braves (2-2) at Trustmark Park. The win evened the series at 2-2 and forces the rubber match on Monday night in the series finale. The Generals (2-2) have won three straight series' entering this current set.

Both starters were once again on display early as the only run scored in first four innings came in the third. John Hicks (2x4, 2 R, RBI, BB) and Jack Marder (1x3) reached to begin the third for Jackson. Hicks moved up to third base as Leon Landry (2x4, R, RBI) lined out to right, and the Generals catcher came in to score the first run on Ketel Marte's (1x4, R, 3 RBI) sacrifice fly to give Jackson the 1-0 lead.

The General bats then exploded two innings later. With one out in the fifth and runners on second and third, Landry singled to score Dario Pizzano (0x4, R, BB). Marte followed with another single that scored Hicks and Landry to give the Generals (2-2) a 4-0 advantage. After a sacrifice bunt and a walk, Patrick Kivlehan (2x5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI) delivered the big blow. Kivlehan hit his fourth Jackson homer, a three-run shot that gave his team a commanding 7-0 lead.

The Braves finally dented the scoreboard in the seventh as Kyle Kubitza started things with his 18th double on the season. Gustavo Nunez followed a groundout and a single with a base hit of his own that scored Kubitza with the first Mississippi run of the day. Then Jose Peraza came up with a two-run double and the lead shrunk to 7-3. Peraza brought home the fourth Braves run on a Seth Loman single to pull them within three at 7-4.

Mississippi added to their run total in the ninth against reliever Mayckol Guaipe. With one out and two runners on Loman singled to score Peraza and Derek Mitchell followed with a sacrifice fly that brought in Cedric Hunter to cut the Generals lead to one at 7-6. Then Kubitza tripled with two outs and scored Barrett Kleinknecht who came in to pinch run for Loman to send the game to extra innings 7-7.

Jackson retook the lead though in the 11th after a one-out single from Kivlehan was followed by an RBI double by Dan Paolini (1x5, R, 2B, RBI). Paolini then scored on a base hit from Hicks to give the Generals a two-run cushion at 9-7 heading to the bottom of the eleventh.

Tyler Pike (0-0, 0.00) was brilliant in his Double-A debut, going 5.0 shutout innings and scattering only two hits. Trever Miller (4-7, 5.42) and Mayckol Guaipe (1-1, 2.43) struggled out of the bullpen, combining to allow seven runs and squander Pike's great start. But on a hot muggy night in Pearl, Miss. the Braves felt the cold winds of winter as Forrest Snow (1-1, 5.11) pitched a scoreless 10th and 11th to earn his first win of 2014.

The Generals were able to figure out the Braves No. 3 prospect J.R. Graham in his first start of the second half as he gave up six runs on just four hits and walked three batters in 4.2 innings. Chasen Shreve (3-1, 2.80) allowed both Jackson runs in the 11th and took his first loss of the season.

Kivlehan's home run also extended the Southern League's longest current on-base streak to 28 games and the Southern League's longest hitting streak this season to 16 games. Hicks and Landry joined Kivlehan as each picked up two hits on the day, and Marte joined his third base teammate with three RBIs in the game. Jackson was also an impressive 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position as they scored nine runs and left only one runner on base.

The Generals and Braves will play the rubber match of the series on Monday in Pearl, Miss. Jackson will send Matt Anderson (2-2, 5.71) to the mound as Mitch Atkins (1-0, 2.25) will be on the bump for Mississippi. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. and can be heard on 96.5 ESPN, TuneIn Radio and jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.

Check out the Jackson Generals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from June 22, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central