Shrimp Streak Past Hippos

Jackson, Tenn. - Looking to win their fourth straight game against Jacksonville, the Jackson Generals instead suffered their first defeat of the Second Half, dropping a 9-4 contest to the Jumbo Shrimp on Friday. The nine-run total by Jacksonville equals the highest mark by a Generals opponent in 2017.
Outfielder Victor Reyes collected three hits for Jackson in the defeat, while catcher Michael Perez and first baseman Kevin Cron each notched a pair. Shortstop Domingo Leyba also homered for Jackson, who wore their Friday night alter-ego uniforms as they morphed into the Hub City Hippos (3-3).

Beginning in the third inning, the Jumbo Shrimp (31-41, 1-1) scored in four consecutive frames, including a pair of tallies in the third, fifth, and sixth innings. Trailing 2-1 in the third, Jacksonville opened with three straight hits off Alex Young (4-4, 4.84 ERA), including a two-run homer off the bat of John Norwood to take the lead for good. With two men on, Young helped his cause by catching a botched bunt attempt from Yefri Pérez and doubling off a runner at second base. The 23-year-old lefty would retire three of the next five hitters, but he was removed from the game after four innings and 81 pitches thrown.
Trevor Richards (1-0, 5.06 ERA) kept Jackson (38-34, 1-1) off balance in his first start for Jacksonville, scattering seven hits over 5.1 innings of work. The Jumbo Shrimp tallied 14 hits in the game, with Norwood as the lone hitter with more than two. Jacksonville went 5-for-18 with runners in scoring position, while the Generals capitalized on only two of their eight similar chances.
Cron's effort at the plate extended his on-base streak to 23 games, the longest for any Generals player in 2017. Second baseman Kevin Medrano failed to record a hit for the first time in 17 games, ending his league-best hitting streak at 16. Leyba's home run was his first at Double-A since September 4, 2016, which also came against Jacksonville. Perez chipped in with a ninth-inning RBI double to complete Jackson's offensive output for the night. Left-handed pitcher Josh Taylor made his first appearance in relief in 2017, tossing two innings while allowing one run to Jacksonville and striking out two.
The Generals' five-game series with the Jumbo Shrimp continues on Saturday, June 24 with game three. Pregame coverage from The Ballpark At Jackson begins at 5:50 pm CT on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM in Jackson, and online via the TuneIn Radio App. Right-hander Joel Payamps (2-1, 4.66 ERA) will do the pitching for Jackson.
Saturday will be Pirates and Princesses Night brought to you by Leaders Credit Union, featuring a number of iconic characters and a Postgame Fireworks Show! The first 1,000 fans will take home a Generals t-shirt, and one lucky fan will win a Caribbean Cruise vacation!
The series wraps up Monday, June 26 with Splash Day! It's one of the most fun days all summer in Jackson, featuring all kinds of water games under the sun. Campers get in free, and lunch packs will be available to purchase for just $6!
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!