PLAYOFF BOUND: Generals clinch First Half North Division title

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - The Jackson Generals, on the strength of a six-inning start from Joel Payamps, scored a 3-1 victory over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Friday, clinching the 2018 First Half North Division title.

With the win, Jackson (38-29) earned an automatic postseason berth for the second time in three years, taking a series victory over Jacksonville in the process.
BY THE NUMBERS: Generals clinch berth in playoffs for second time in three years
Payamps (4-2, 3.16 ERA) spun eight strikeouts on 87 pitches in the victory, posting his best start of the year and equalizing his highest strikeout total from 2017. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed only one Jumbo Shrimp hit over the first eighteen outs recorded, facing two batters in the seventh whom he allowed to reach base. Yoan López took his place and retired the next three hitters in a row, but an RBI groundout allowed Jacksonville to break up the shutout. After a scoreless eighth, Brad Goldberg entered for the ninth and finished his second straight game without allowing a hit. Through their last 18 innings, Generals pitchers have allowed just three hits.
After being held down through the first four innings, the Generals offense awoke with the entrance of Jacksonville reliever Jose Pena in the fifth. After a Galli Cribbs Jr. single, both Payamps and Daniel Robertson were hit by the pitch, loading the bases for the visitors. A sacks-full walk to Kevin Medrano ensued, giving the Generals the 1-0 lead. With the bases still full, Domingo Leyba lifted a single to right field to bring home two more runs. Leyba finished 3-for-4, improving his batting average to .315.
Based on league rules, the Generals will host at least Game 1 and Game 2 of the Southern League's best-of-five North Division Series when the playoffs begin. Wednesday, September 5 and Thursday, September 6 are the likely nights for those home contests, which will be confirmed in coming weeks. A win in the North Division Series would grant the Generals the chance to play against the South Division Series winner in the 2018 Southern League Championship Series, presented by BC Powder.  
 
TOP PERFORMERS - GENERALS
RHP Joel Payamps - 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K
2B Domingo Leyba - 3-4, 2 RBI
 
TOP PERFORMERS - JACKSONVILLE
RHP Max Duval - 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
RF Monte Harrison - 1-3, R
 
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
5:35 pm CT Saturday (6/16) vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville - Jacksonville, Fla.
RHP Bo Takahashi (0-1, 9.35 ERA) vs. RHP Kolton Mahoney (3-3, 2.45 ERA)
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
June 21-26 vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
…featuring Sarge's Carnival Weekend (June 22-23)
and a Sarge Doll Giveaway on Saturday, June 23^rd!
The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2017, The Ballpark at Jackson was named the Professional Sports Field of the Year by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. In 2018, the Generals and manager Shelley Duncan won the First Half North Division title, assuring them of a bid to the Southern League playoffs in September. For tickets and more information about the Generals,
dial 731.988.5299 or log on to our ticket page at JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!