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SL1 Jackson Generals

RECAP: Smokies Sink Generals in Sixth

June 10, 2017 - Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


*SMOKIES SINK HIPPOS IN SIXTH*

Keller works into seventh inning; Tennessee bullpen dominates

*Jackson, Tenn.* - The Jackson Generals, competing as the Friday-night alter ego Hub City Hippos (3-2), got a quality start from right-hander Brad Keller (3-4, 4.64 ERA), but he took the loss in a 4-2 series-opening setback against Tennessee. Keller worked into the seventh inning for the first time this season, holding the Smokies (34-26) to three runs on five hits.

Though defeated, the Generals (31-30) got clutch hitting from the bottom of their order. Evan Marzilli, Michael Perez, and Kevin Medrano--hitting sixth, seventh and eighth--combined to go 4-for-10 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a walk.

The Generals followed Keller into the sixth inning ahead with a 2-1 advantage, but the top of the Smokies' order heated up. After striking out leadoff man Charcer Burks, consecutive doubles by Andrew Ely and David Bote brought Tennessee square at 2-2. Keller was able to get a groundout from cleanup man Jason Vosler, but a go-ahead double by Yasiel Balaguert put the Smokies in front to stay.

Keller finished the sixth with a strikeout and induced a pair of flyouts in the seventh, finishing with 103 pitches in the outing. 68 tosses went for strikes in Keller's longest outing since May 13, with the Flowery Branch, Ga. native tallying 8 ground ball outs. Jared Miller, pitching for the third time in four games, got the final out in the seventh with a single pitch, as Medrano snared a Burks liner at shortstop.

Jackson did all of its scoring in the fourth inning, answering a Tennessee run in the top half with two runs in the bottom half. With two outs, Evan Marzilli walked, and he promptly stole his ninth base of the year to get into scoring position. Catcher Michael Perez then banged a hard single off the left field wall, plating the speedy Marzilli to tie the game 1-1. With Perez at first, Medrano shoveled a double into the left-center field gap, scoring Perez to take the lead. Medrano is 8-for-23 in his last six games, driving in four runs over that span.

A solo home run by Yasiel Balaguert in the ninth inning marred an otherwise strong two-inning relief effort from Brooks Hall. The top of the Generals' lineup finished 1-for-12 on the evening, as Trevor Clifton (5-2, 2.52 ERA) bested Jackson for the second time this year. Clifton departed with his team trailing, but the sixth inning rally and four scoreless frames from the Tennessee bullpen were enough to make him victorious. He finished with five strikeouts and two batters walked.

Friday's damage drops the Generals four losses behind Tennessee in the North Division with nine games remaining in the First Half. Saturday's 6:05 pm CT contest, featuring a pitching matchup of Jackson lefty Gabe Speier (2-3, 4.76 ERA) against Tennessee right-hander Duane Underwood Jr. (4-4, 5.51 ERA) looms large in the race for the division title.

The Generals continue their final First Half series with serious fun on Saturday. June 10 is Wedding Night at The Ballpark! The first 500 fans age 21 and older will take home a glass beer stein, and during the game, one lucky couple will win a vacation for two to Hawaii! Saturday's game will also mark the final Fireworks Night of the First Half.

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