SL1 Jackson Generals

Jackson Falls to Smokies in Diaz's Double-A Debut

May 16, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Kodak, Tenn. - Edwin Diaz gave up six runs in his first Southern League start while his counterpart for the Smokies was spectacular in a 6-3 loss for the Generals on Saturday night in Kodak. Jackson could only score one run off of Tennessee's Jeffry Antigua in a series-opening defeat.

Edwin Diaz (0-1, 11.57), the sixth-ranked overall prospect and the top pitcher in the Seattle organization according to Baseball America, was strong in his first half-inning as he retired the Smokies in order.

He ran into trouble in the second, however, as Tennessee (20-15) scored four runs on as many hits in the frame. With the bases loaded and none out, Diaz recorded his first strikeout by getting Tennessee Jacob Hanneman swinging. The Smokies offense would not be denied, however, as infielder Ryan Dent followed with a bases-clearing double to right-center field. Two batters later, Tommy La Stella- who was playing in his second MLB rehab game with the Smokies- got Hanneman home on a double to left-center that made it 4-0.

Diaz got through the next two innings unscathed, but he couldn't make it through the fifth. La Stella led off with a single and outfielder Albert Almora, Jr. cranked a two-run shot over the fence in left. Almora's first long ball of the year gave Tennessee a 6-0 edge. He was taken out in favor of James Gillheeney with two outs in the inning.

Jackson (14-19) had no such luck against Tennessee lefty Jeffry Antigua (2-1, 2.60). The Smokies' starter had more walks (4) than strikeouts (2), but Jackson only scored once against him in 6.1 innings. The Generals had men on first and second with nobody out in the second and they loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but were unable to cash in. The Generals left 11 men on base in the defeat and went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

The team's lone hit with men in scoring position came in the sixth. Jabari Blash, who finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, doubled off of Antigua with one out. Two batters later, Dan Paolini plated Blash with an RBI single to center. Blash has now hit in four-straight games for the Generals.

Jackson continued to fight, scoring twice against the Tennessee bullpen. In the eighth inning, Jabari Henry walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run. Marcus Littlewood followed with a sac fly off of Starling Peralta that plated Jordy Lara to make it 6-3. Tyler Smith came up to the plate as the tying run, but he flied out to end the threat.

James Gillheeney turned in another fantastic relief effort for Jackson behind Diaz. The lefty tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk. Trevor Miller also pitched a shutout inning out of the bullpen for Jackson.

Jackson and Tennessee are scheduled to play a doubleheader at Smokies Stadium Sunday afternoon to make up the April 24 rainout in Jackson. Danny Hultzen (0-0, 3.00) is scheduled to make his third start for Jackson in game one opposite Tennessee's Frank Batista (3-0, 1.53), while Misael Siverio (1-3, 5.23) will get the ball in game two against Tennessee righty Andres Santiago (0-1, 7.94). Both games will be seven innings in length. Game one is slated to begin at 1:05 pm ET/12:05 pm CT, and you can follow all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1 and 94.3) starting with the Tennessee Army National Guard Pregame Show fifteen minutes before first pitch.

The Generals continue their 11-game, 10-day road trip Sunday in Kodak, Tenn. against the Smokies. The team returns home on Tuesday, May 26 for five games with the Montgomery Biscuits. That series is headlined by a Two-For-Tuesday (May 26), State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar Night (May 28) and Night of Heart with Fireworks (May 30) presented by the West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center! Tickets for all five games are still available by calling (731) 988.5299, stopping by the park or going online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.

Check out the Jackson Generals Statistics



Southern League Stories from May 16, 2015


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