Generals Snap Skid With Finale Victory

Sevierville, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals avoided a sweep and snapped their losing streak at six with a 4-1 win over the Tennessee Smokies Monday night in Sevierville. Three Jackson pitchers combined to allow just an unearned run on four hits, and the offense did their part against All-Star Jen-Ho Tseng.  
Taylor Clarke (7-4, 2.74) cruised through his first five innings en route to a victory. The righty did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, striking out seven while walking just two. Tennessee (7-4, 43-37) finally got to him in the sixth inning, scoring an unearned run on just one hit. Erick Castillo singled for the only hit against Clarke, and he later scored on a Dawel Lugo error at third. 

The righty managed to strand runners at the corners with two outs and Jackson on top 2-1, inducing outs from David Bote and Jason Vosler to end the inning. Clarke now has the win in two of Jackson's five victories versus the Smokies.
Jackson (4-7, 41-40) managed to get out in front with runs in the third and fourth innings. Galli Cribbs Jr., who finished the night with two hits in his fourth Double-A game, walked to lead off before moving to second on a Clarke sacrifice. A Victor Reyes single got him to third before Michael Perez put the Generals on top with a single to center.
The Generals got to Tennessee's Jen-Ho Tseng again in the next frame. Jamie Westbrook smashed a one-out home run to left-center, making it 2-0 in the fourth. It was Westbrook's fourth homer of the year, and his first since coming off the disabled list earlier in the series.
After Tennessee scored in the sixth to make it a one-run game, the Generals answered with two insurance runs in the seventh. Evan Marzilli was hit by a pitch before Cribbs singled to put two men on. With two outs, Victor Reyes came through with the knockout blow. The outfielder hit a two-run double over the head of Carlos Penalver in left field to make it 4-1.
The bullpen was phenomenal behind Clarke. Yuhei Nakaushrio struck out three in two scoreless innings before Gabriel Moya took the mound in the ninth. The All-Star closer ran into some trouble, but managed to get the save. Moya (S, 13) allowed two hits to put the tying run at the plate before striking out Penalver and Trey Martin to end the game. The lefty has not allowed a run since May 1 and is a perfect 13-for-13 in save opportunities this season.
The victory stopped Jackson's longest losing streak of the season at six, and the Generals managed to keep their overall record above .500 as well. The team has not had a losing record all year long, and they also have not been swept in a series.
The Generals return home for the Fourth of July Tuesday to kick off a five-game series against Birmingham. Brad Keller (4-6, 5.24) takes the hill in the opener against hard-throwing righty Michael Kopech (4-5, 3.72). First pitch from The Ballpark at Jackson is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT, and fans can listen on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM starting with the Pregame Show at 5:50 pm CT.
The Generals return home for the Fourth of July in their first home game on Independence Day since 2008! Fans can enjoy Postgame Fireworks thanks to the United States Marine Corps! Thursday is a Thrifty Thursday with $2 deals on general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, soda, beer, ice cream and fun zone access! Friday is a Leaders Credit Union Food Truck Friday with local food trucks at The Ballpark! The Generals will also wear special uniforms and play as the Hub City Hippos, with jerseys that will be auctioned off at the end of the season benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson thanks to Tennessee 811!
Friday is also the day of the first Baseball Camp this summer! Registration is open now! Contact Kate Lentz at [email protected] for more information!
The series wraps up Saturday with our Championship Celebration and more Postgame Fireworks! We'll look back at last year's Southern League Championship, and the first 1,000 fans will take home a replica championship ring! The night and Fireworks are sponsored by Chicken Salad Chick!
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!