Offense Explodes, Ash Dominant in Victory

Jackson, Tenn. - The Generals' offense jumped on the Jacksonville pitching staff early, scoring eight runs in the first three innings en route to an 11-6 win Wednesday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. The win puts the Generals eight games above .500 at 16-8 for the first time this season and half a game back of the best record in the league.

Brett Ash (4-1) cruised to his team-high fourth win of the season. The righty gave up one unearned run on six hits over six innings to record his second quality start. As a team, the Generals have the same number of quality starts through 24 games this season as they did in the entire First Half last year (nine).

Jackson (16-8) took an early lead in the very first inning after Ian Miller and Tim Lopes drew back-to-back walks. With one out Tyler O'Neill singled to right to load the bases. Leon Landry then drove in Miller with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 1-0.

In the top of the second, Jacksonville (11-15) quickly responded after a leadoff single and hit-by-pitch against Austin Dean and Brady Shoemaker. The duo advanced on a passed ball before Francisco Arcia grounded out to second to score Dean and tie the game up at one.

Benji Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk to start the second and the Generals never looked back. He came in on an RBI triple by Steve Baron before Zach Shank smacked an RBI single to center, putting the Generals on top 3-1. Two batters later, Shank scored on Guillermo Heredia's sacrifice fly and O'Neill drove in Miller with a single to right field.

O'Neill went 3-for-4 with a trio of singles, extending his hitting streak to nine games and his on-base streak to 23. In his last nine games, the slugger is 14-for-35 (.400) with four homers and 10 RBIs.

The Generals added three more in the third with two outs. Zach Shank drove in a pair with a triple to center before he came in on an error to make it 8-1. Shank recorded three hits, scored three runs and doubled his RBI total with four knocked in on the night.

Both teams were kept off the scoreboard over the next four innings before Jacksonville scored a pair against Matt Anderson in the eighth. The Generals answered right back with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning, including another RBI from Shank to make it 11-3.

Jacksonville got a three-run home run from J.T. Riddle off of Dan Altavilla in the ninth, but it wasn't enough as the Generals won 11-6. Jackson has had at least seven hits in 18 of 24 games thus far this season.

Thanks to the Generals' early offensive explosion, Suns starting pitcher Jake Esch (4-2) lasted just 1.2 IP and gave up five runs, all earned, on four hits while walking four and striking out one. Jacksonville used a total of six pitchers between Esch and the five relievers. The Suns' bullpen combined to throw 6.1 innings while giving up six runs, five earned, on eight hits while walking one and striking out two.

Brett Ash (4-1) won his team and league high fourth game in his second quality start. The righty gave up one unearned run on six hits over six innings while walking one and striking out another.

It was the third win in a row for Jackson who leads the North Division by two and a half games over Montgomery (14-11). The win puts the Generals a half game back of Biloxi (17-8) for the best record in the Southern League. Jackson is now 11-3 at home this season after going just 12-20 at home during the First Half in 2015.

The Generals look to make it four in a row Thursday night. Righty Dylan Unsworth (1-0, 1.21) gets the ball for Jackson against the lefty Jarlin Garcia (0-1, 3.76) for Jacksonville. First pitch from The Ballpark at Jackson is slated for 7:05 pm CT, and you can listen to all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1) and online via the TuneIn Radio App starting at 6:50 pm CT with the Generals Pregame Show.

Thursday is a Cinco de Mayo edition of State Farm Wes Harris Dollar Night, with general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, soda and beer all just $1 all night long! Prior to Friday's game, fans can get autographs from their favorite players and coaches thanks to the Jackson Sun! It's also a Chick-Fil-A Friday, with their chicken sandwiches for sale at every Monday through Friday home game! Saturday features a doubleheader starting at 4:05 pm CT capped off by Fireworks thanks to the Jackson Energy Authority!

Get in on the fun at The Ballpark before the team leaves for a 10-game road trip! Give the Generals a call at (731) 988.5299, go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com or stop by The Ballpark to get your tickets now!