Edgar Corcino's double was one of the two Lookouts' hits in Sunday's loss
photo by Tim Evearitt
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Emilio Bonifacio homered and had two hits, and Brad Keller allowed just one hit over seven innings. The 22-year-old Keller (9-9) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Sunday, helping the Jackson Generals to a 3-0 victory at The Ballpark at Jackson.
The Lookouts were blanked for the 10th time this season
Dereck Rodriguez (5-4) was the hard-luck loser in the game.
He went 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and eight hits. He also struck out three and walked one.
Keller, who retired 14 straight Lookouts hitters in his best stretch, gave Jackson his longest start of the year, working seven innings while striking out six men and walking three.
Fresh off a 10-2 loss in the series opener on Saturday, the Generals bounced back on Sunday with a boost Keller. The Lookouts managed just one walk over the first five innings.
In the fifth inning, Jackson went up 2-0 after Daniel Lockhart, whose father Keith Lockhart played for the Lookouts and the Atlanta Braves, and Bonifacio hit solo home runs. Both players hit their first home runs as Generals to help Jackson nose ahead in the fifth inning.
The Generals scored again in the sixth inning when Kevin Cron scored on a ground out.
After Lookouts catcher Brian Olson grounded out to third base to begin the sixth inning, Keller missed the strike zone with eight of his next eleven pitches, walking two hitters. With men at first and second, Edgar Corcino grounded to first baseman Kevin Cron, but a throwing error allowed Corcino to reach safely loading the bases for LaMonte Wade. The Lookouts' center fielder hit a soft liner was snared by Jackson's second baseman who flipped the ball to the shortstop at second to double off Ryan Walker.
Jon Rodriguez, Chattanooga's designated hitter and MVP candidate, led off the seventh inning with lofted single to right field that fell beyond the reach of sun-blinded outfielder Kelly Dugan. The play was ruled a hit, but Keller continued with no loss of effectiveness, inducing a flyout from the next hitter and starting a groundball double play against the hitter after that to end the inning.
Joey Krehbiel recorded his fourth save of the season for Jackson.
Box
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