Flores Powers Generals To Walk-Off Win

Jackson, Tenn. - Tied 3-3 after six innings, the Jackson Generals waited until the bottom of the ninth to cash in, with Rudy Flores smashing an RBI single for a walk-off 4-3 win over Pensacola. Flores finished the game 3-for-5 with an RBI, raising his batting average to a team-best .330 on the season.
Gabriel Moya (1-1, 2.12 ERA) secured his first win of the year after retiring Pensacola (20-18) in order in the top of the ninth inning. Moya's win came on the foundation of a fourth straight quality start by Generals right-hander Taylor Clarke, and two shutout frames by reliever Joey Krehbiel in the seventh and eighth.

Evan Marzilli led off the bottom half of the ninth inning with a single to right. Marzilli moved to second base two batters later after Dawel Lugo grounded to shortstop for the second out of the inning. A pitch from Blue Wahoos reliever Brennan Bernardino hit the next batter, Victor Reyes, opening the door for Flores. Entering Monday, the sixth-year pro had already tallied 12 hits with runners in scoring position this season, most of any player for the Generals (22-15). The left fielder did not disappoint with the game on the line. Flores' game-winning drive hit the barrier in right-center field on the fly, allowing Marzilli to score easily from second base.
Clarke began the day seeking a league-high-tying fifth victory, but the Wahoos snapped his streak of 14 scoreless innings in the third. After a fly-ball out, Pensacola center fielder Brian O'Grady homered for the second time in as many games, marking the only round-tripper surrendered by Clarke in his first 40 innings pitched this season. Clarke retired the next batter on a groundout, but he allowed three straight singles thereafter, the last one a 2-RBI blooper to a shift-vacated area in shallow left field. He retired former General Gabriel Guerrero to close the frame, holding the deficit at 3-0.
The Generals bounced back in the fourth inning, scoring on an RBI double by Kevin Medrano and a sacrifice fly by Clarke himself. Clarke would go on to complete six innings despite allowing a season-high eight hits.
In the bottom of the sixth, Kevin Cron led off by smoking his league-leading ninth home run of the year, evening the score at 3-3. Krehbiel took Clarke's place in the seventh, blazing through that inning and the one that followed with a quartet of strikeouts.
Medrano finished with an RBI and a pair of hits, bringing his batting average back above .300. Marzilli recorded two hits for the third time in five games. Krehbiel lowered his ERA to 0.49 in the victory.
The Generals want Josh Taylor (3-2, 4.03 ERA) to help keep the winning going in Tuesday's 6:05 pm CT start. Pensacola will throw Keury Mella (0-3, 4.50 ERA). If you can't get to The Ballpark to see Taylor and the gang, listen to the Generals on Willie 94 FM and 1390 AM in Jackson and online as well via the TuneIn Radio App.
The Generals' 10-game homestand continues against the Blue Wahoos through mid-week! Wednesday's series finale will be a 12:05 pm CT start for an Education Day at The Ballpark! School children will be admitted for free with their classes, and lunch packs are available for $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!