Jorge Alcala gave up four first inning runs to the Generals but finished the day with five strikeouts.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Four runs in the first inning off of Lookouts right-hander Jorge Alcala has helped Jackson to a 6-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Field.
It is the fourth time Chattanooga has dropped a series at home during the second half, putting them eight games out of first place in the North Division. But in the words of the late Cal Ermer, Jr., former Lookouts manager, "Hope Springs Eternal."
Right-hander Jon Duplantier (4-1, 2.14 ERA) picked up the win with 5 2/3 innings of work and one run allowed. Duplantier's defense ended the first three frames on double plays, and four for the game.
Alcala's day did not start well as he surrendered a three-run home run to Rudy Flores with just one man out in the opening frame. That was then followed by a double and an RBI single with the visitors promptly putting Chattanooga in a hole they were never able to recover from.
Making his second start in a Lookouts uniform, the 23-year-old Alcala, Twins No. 11 prospect, finished the day with five strikeouts as Chattanooga racked up nine for the afternoon. That is the ninth time in this 10-game home series they have finished with at least eight punch-outs.
After a rough opening, Alcala and relievers Anthony Marzi and Sam Clay retired 17 Generals in a row before a seventh-inning error by shortstop Jordan Gore allowed Galli Cribbs to reach base. Two batters later, Jason Morozowski hit his second opposite-field home run in as many games, increasing Jackson's lead from 4-1 to 6-1 in one swing.
Chattanooga's lone run came in the sixth inning when Tanner English led off the frame with a single and promptly came around to score just one batter later on a wild pitch by Duplantier.
To their credit, Lookouts pitchers kept the Southern League's leading hitter, Kevin Medrano hitless.
Lookouts infielder Luis Arraez saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end though he did reach base twice via a pair of walks.
Jaylin Davis's eight-game hitting streak was also snapped though he too reached via a walk.
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Chattanooga will enjoy a well-earned off day tomorrow before Lewis Thorpe takes the bump in the opening game of a 10-game road trip through Mississippi and Montgomery. The team returns home on August 24 for their last five home games.
All eyes were on the baseball as Rudy Flores blasted a first-inning three run homer over the right field pavilion.
photo by Tim Evearitt