SL1 Jackson Generals

Rucker Outduels Donatella as Smokies Claim Opener

Published on June 4, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


JACKSON, TENN. - Seventeen outs into Sunday night's contest, the Jackson Generals appeared headed for their third straight tight game. The eighteenth out proved uncomfortably elusive, as a three-run burst from the Tennessee Smokies late in the seventh inning put the visitors in the drivers' seat on the way to a 4-0 win. The shutout marks the fourth time in 2018 that Jackson has been held scoreless, and the loss puts the Generals 2.5 games behind Chattanooga in the race for the North Division's First Half title with 15 games to go.

With three quick innings right from the get-go, Generals right-hander Justin Donatella was able to hold Tennessee without a run until the fourth. A two-out triple by Jason Vosler and an RBI single by Yasiel Balaguert put the Smokies in front, 1-0, but that was all Donatella would surrender. The righty finished 5.1 innings with five strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 3.00 in the process. Bud Jeter entered in the sixth to induce a ground-ball double play, but after getting two outs in the seventh, an infield error extended the frame, forcing Jeter to labor. Three batters later, the Smokies had a 3-0 lead with a walk and a pair of RBI singles. Yuhei Nakaushiro induced a ground ball in the hope of getting an inning-ending groundout, but another infield error gave Tennessee a 4-0 lead. Rafael Pujols threw the final two frames without any damage, debuting at Double-A without allowing a hit.

Offensively, the Generals totaled just five hits, dropping to 0-5 at home when collecting six or fewer hits. Jackson went -for-8 with men in scoring position and left ten men on base. Perhaps Jackson's best chance came in the eighth inning, as Jamie Westbrook singled with one out and Rudy Flores doubled to put men on second and third. Tennessee brought in closer Dakota Mekkes to clean up, and he fired four strikeouts in a five-out appearance to keep the Generals quiet.

TOP PERFORMERS - GENERALS

RHP Justin Donatella - 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K

1B Rudy Flores - 1-3, BB

TOP PERFORMERS - TENNESSEE

RHP Michael Rucker - 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K

RHP Dakota Mekkes - 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

LF Vimael Machin - 3-5, RBI

NEXT GENERALS GAME:

4:00pm CT Monday (6/4) vs. Tennessee Smokies

The Ballpark at Jackson - Jackson, Tenn.

Game 1: RHP Sam Lewis (2-4, 5.88 ERA) vs. TBA (Tennessee Smokies)

Game 2: RHP Shelby Miller (MLB rehab) vs. RHP Trevor Clifton (3-3, 3.14 ERA)

UPCOMING GENERALS HOMESTANDS:

June 3-7 vs. Tennessee Smokies

June 21-26 vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos

...featuring Sarge's Carnival Weekend (June 22-23)!

Dial 731-988-5299 for tickets to see Jackson Generals Baseball, OR

log on to JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!

| Jackson Generals Baseball - #GreenMeansGo |

The baseball season has begun, but it's not too late to come see the Generals (or see them again)! Call 731.988.5299 to order your tickets today, or stop by the box office at 4 Fun Place between 9am and 5pm, just south of exit 85 from Interstate 40! To buy tickets or team merchandise online, or for further information on the 2018 season, log on to JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!

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Southern League Stories from June 4, 2018


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