Taylor, Generals Boil Shrimp in Finale

Jacksonville, Fla. - Josh Taylor turned in his best outing of 2017 as the Generals won their second in a row Sunday night in Jacksonville, downing the Jumbo Shrimp 5-1. The lefty struck out 10 batters while working into the eighth inning, becoming the first Jackson pitcher to do so this season.
With the victory Jackson (27-23) has won 27 of their first 50 games this season. With 20 games to go in the first half, the Generals are 2.5 games back of Tennessee for the top spot in the North Division. 

Taylor (4-3, 4.06) had it going early, needing just 11 pitches to get through the first inning. He struck out a batter in each of his first five innings on the mound, and the lefty was at only 84 pitches through seven innings. Jackson Manager J.R. House pulled Taylor with one out in the eighth after a John Norwood single gave the Shrimp their only run. All told, Taylor struck out 10 batters and walked just one in 7.1 innings.
The offense got on the board in the second and did not look back. Kevin Cron led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout before scoring on a ground-rule double by Dawel Lugo. Lugo would score on a single to left field by Jamie Westbrook to make it 2-0.
Taylor helped himself out in the fifth inning. With one out, he doubled to the gap in right-center off opposing starter Chris Mazza (1-3, 3.55). The Generals would take advantage of the pitcher's first career extra-base hit, as Colin Walsh would drive Taylor home with a single to put the visitors up 3-0.
Jackson added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning against Daniel Schlereth. An error and a walk put two men on before Jacksonville turned the game over to Esmerling De La Rosa. With two men in scoring position, Cron hit a ground-rule double over the fence down the left-left field line to make it 5-0.
Cron finished the night with two hits and a pair of runs batted in, leading the way on offense. Though the Generals were without a home run in the game, the team went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Daniel Gibson (S, 3) relieved Taylor with an out in the eighth and finished it off to pick up his third save of the season. He struck out KC Serna with two men on to end the game in the ninth.
After 11 games on the road and a day off Memorial Day, the Generals return home for five versus the Mississippi Braves starting Tuesday night. Brad Keller (3-2, 4.20) takes the ball for Jackson in the opener against longtime Major Leaguer Kris Medlen (0-0, --). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT, and you can listen to all the action on Willie 94 AM and 1390 AM online and in Jackson starting with the pregame show at 5:50 pm CT.
The fun begins on with a Thrifty Thursday June 1, featuring $2 deals on general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, soda, beer, ice cream and Fun Zone access! Reserved seats are only $6 on Thursdays! It's another Leaders Credit Union Food Truck Friday June 2, featuring a bevy of local food trucks down the right field at The Ballpark.
Saturday, June 3 is Star Wars Night in Jackson! Come ready to see all your favorite characters from the famous movie franchise! The fantastic Postgame Fireworks and a Disney Hollywood Studios vacation giveaway are both sponsored by the Hardeman County Correctional Facility! Additionally, the first 1,000 fans through the gate will take home a Generals jersey t-shirt! The team's special Admiral Ackbar Jerseys will be auctioned off after the game, with proceeds going to the Generals Care Foundation! Fans will also be able to sample Southern League sponsor BC Powder at the game.
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!