Payamps pounds zone, keeps Biloxi off balance in shutout win

JACKSON, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, picked up their eighth shutout win of the year on Wednesday, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 3-0 at The Ballpark at Jackson.

The success pushes the Generals (55-47, 16-17 Second Half) to a 2-1 series lead, and they snapped a 17-game homer streak for Biloxi (60-42, 19-13 Second Half) in the process.
Joel Payamps (9-3, 2.74 ERA) was brilliant, supplying seven shutout frames while holding a powerful Biloxi lineup to a pair of hits. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out eight without issuing a walk, helping the Generals' staff record their third walk-free performance of the year, all of which have come in July. Payamps finished his work on 85 pitches, helping keep the Shuckers hitless in eight chances with men in scoring position. Tommy Eveld recorded a one-inning hold to maintain his spotless ERA, and Kevin Ginkel (S, 1) rolled up his first Double-A save by collecting a trio of strikeouts in the ninth.
The dam broke in the fifth inning for Biloxi left-hander Kodi Medeiros (7-5, 3.22 ERA). After retiring 11 of 13 batters faced between the end of the first and the start of the fifth inning, Medeiros hit Jose Vinicio with a pitch, bringing Payamps to the plate. Payamps offered a sacrifice bunt to third baseman Lucas Erceg, but Erceg's aggressive throw to second base was a moment late, as Vinicio slid in safely ahead of the attempted force-out. The ensuing throw from Biloxi shortstop Luis Aviles Jr. Jr. to first base went into the Biloxi dugout, an error that allowed Vinicio to score and Payamps to reach second base safely. Ben DeLuzio followed by doubling home Payamps, and the Generals' swift center fielder let his speed do the rest of the work. DeLuzio promptly stole his 21^st base of the year to get to third, and a passed ball moments later gave him plenty of time to score the Generals' final tally.