Early Mobile Runs Beat Generals

Jackson, Tenn. - An eighth inning RBI groundout by second baseman Angel Franco snapped the Jackson Generals' 15-inning scoreless streak, but it didn't keep the home side from falling. The Mobile BayBears picked up their second win in two games, beating Jackson 7-1 in West Tennessee on Friday night.
Home runs by Zach Houchins and Jose Rojas in the second and third innings helped Mobile (15-18, 45-57) jump out to an early 6-0 lead. Michael Perez came up with a pair of hits for the Generals (17-17, 54-50), though the Generals left 13 men on base in the defeat.

Trailing 6-0 in the eighth inning, Perez, Marty Herum, and Evan Marzilli led off with three consecutive singles, and Franco knocked in his first run as a General with a groundout to the right side. The tally snapped a cold streak for the Generals that began in the second inning of Thursday's defeat against Mobile. Though the makings of a rally were in place, Mobile relievers Jeremy Rhoades and Jhondaniel Medina retired five of the next six hitters in order to cancel Jackson's plans for a comeback.
After a clean first frame, Joel Payamps (4-5, 6.02 ERA) allowed a leadoff single in the second before retiring a pair BayBears on strikeouts. Houchins, who homered on Thursday night as well, launched an 0-1 offering from Payamps over the left field wall, giving the BayBears the advantage. Jackson's Jamie Westbrook was walked to begin the home half of the inning, but three straight outs denied the Generals a chance to recover the lead.
In the third, a trio of one-out singles netted Mobile their third run of the game, and Taylor Ward followed with a sacrifice fly to make the margin 4-0. With two outs, Rojas lit into the first pitch from Payamps for a two-run shot, marking Mobile's third home run off a Jackson starting pitcher in the space of two nights.
Jackson's downfall was their inability to drive in the runners who reached base. The Generals left two stranded in the third inning after consecutive two-out walks, and they left the bases loaded in the fifth after a Vladimir Frias single, a Victor Reyes double, and a free pass issued to Travis Denker. Mobile starter Grayson Long (6-6, 3.00 ERA) worked into the sixth inning, allowing a one-out double to Michael Perez and a base-on-balls to Marty Herum before being removed. The Generals left both men stranded, and they would do the same in the seventh inning after reliever Tyler Warmoth put men on base with a couple of two-out freebies. In total, the Generals cashed in only once in ten chances with men in scoring position.          
Gabe Speier and David Carpenter each made scoreless relief appearances for the Generals in the defeat. Kevin Cron reached base in his 11^th straight game with a walk, and Perez helped catcher a pair of baserunners trying to steal in the contest.
The Jackson-Mobile series wraps up Saturday night in West Tennessee, though the ten-game homestand continues thereafter. The Generals have not announced a starter for Saturday, but they know they will face Mobile right-hander Alex Klonowski (5-5, 3.84). First pitch is set for 6:05 pm CT, and fans can listen to all the action from The Ballpark at Jackson starting at 5:50 pm CT with the Pregame Show on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM.
Saturday is Shark Week Night presented by the Jackson Energy Authority! In addition to Postgame Fireworks, the Generals will wear special shark-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off with proceeds going to JACOA! With WBBJ, the team will also be giving away umbrellas to honor Gary Pickens for the first 500 families! One lucky fan will go home with a cruise vacation!
The Generals are in the midst of a ten-game homestand, their longest of the Second Half! Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20^th season of professional baseball in Jackson, and the first for the team as an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks! Call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com to secure your seats now!