Smokies' Ninth Inning Comeback Attempt Falls Short
May 18, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
JACKSON, TN - The Tennessee Smokies (21-21) left the tying run on second base in the ninth inning, falling to the Jackson Generals (23-18) 4-3 Saturday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. After scoring two runs to cut the Smokies deficit to one, P.J. Higgins grounded out to second base to end the game.
With two outs in the second, LHP Justin Steele (L, 0-4) hit Jazz Chisholm to extend the inning. One pitch later, Drew Ellis lined an RBI-double to left field, scoring Chisholm from first to put Jackson on the board. Dominic Miroglio's RBI-single extended the lead.
Roberto Caro reached on a two-base throwing error by RHP Riley Smith (W, 3-3) to open up the third. Caro moved to third on Higgins' groundout and scored on Jared Young's RBI-double. Former Smokie Jeffrey Baez hit a solo home run to left field off Steele in the bottom half to get the run back. With two-outs and runners on the corners in the fourth, Ben DeLuzio grounded a ball to Smokies shortstop Luis Vazquez. Vazquez tried throwing to second, but no one was covering, allowing Ellis to score.
The Generals run in the fourth would prove to be the difference maker. Vazquez reached on a fielder's choice, and scored on Connor Myers' RBI-double off RHP Matt Brill (S, 2) to cut the deficit in half. Myers came in to score on Charcer Burks' pinch-hit RBI-single. Burks moved to second on Caro's groundout for the second out. With the tying run in scoring position, Brill got Higgins to bounce out to Chisholm at short to end the game.
The Smokies will try and clinch the series tomorrow afternoon with RHP Thomas Hatch (1-4, 5.54) on the mound. He will be opposed by RHP Justin Donatella (1-0, 4.82). First pitch from The Ballpark at Jackson is scheduled for 3:05 PM ET.
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