Francis foils Generals' sweep in Sunday shutout

Jackson, Tenn. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, fell behind the Biloxi Shuckers early on Sunday and never returned fire, dropping a 4-0 game at The Ballpark at Jackson.

 The loss keeps the Generals (39-31) from scoring a sweep over the Shuckers (41-29), who held the Generals without a run for just the fifth time this year.
Biloxi starter Bowden Francis (4-4, 4.58 ERA) hit the first batter he faced with a pitch, but after that, he looked in control through the rest of his seven innings. A Pavin Smith single in the first inning and a Galli Cribbs Jr. triple in the second frame were all the hits that Jackson could muster, as the 23-year-old Francis racked up ten strikeouts without walking a batter. He retired the final 16 men he faced, completing seven innings on 82 pitches without any walks. In relief, Marcos Diplan and Cody Ponce kept the hitless streak going by throwing a scoreless frame each, as the last 22 Jackson hitters failed to reach base. The two-hit total for the Jackson offense was a season-worst mark.
Joel Payamps (1-2, 3.86 ERA) pitched through a scoreless first inning before Biloxi's C.J. Hinojosa doubled with one out in the second inning. A groundout moved Hinojosa to third with two outs, but on a bouncing ball hit to third baseman Drew Ellis by Max McDowell, the throw to first base came up short and handcuffed first baseman Ramon Hernandez, scooting away as Hinojosa scored the game's first run. Payamps got a strikeout to end the frame and faced only the minimum through the next three frames, but the sixth inning proved problematic.
Two Biloxi hits led off the sixth inning and set the table for Bruce Caldwell, whose high-hop grounder to first base eluded Hernandez and bounded into right field, allowing a pair of runs to score for a 3-0 lead. Payamps exited after the sixth inning with three runs allowed (two of them earned) and five strikeouts without a walk, though the damage could have been worse if not for a pair of flyout-and-assist double plays that closed the third and sixth innings. In relief, Tyler Mark gave up a homer to Hinojosa during one inning of work, while Matt Brill and Damien Magnifico each authored scoreless frames.
The Generals will return to Southern League action on Thursday, June 20 at 6:35 pm CT against the Mobile BayBears at Mobile's Hank Aaron Stadium. Six Generals, as well as Jackson's coaching staff, will participate in Tuesday's Southern League All-Star Game at Biloxi's MGM Park, which will be streamed live on MILB.TV and TuneIn Radio through the Biloxi Shuckers Baseball Network. The 6:35pm CT first pitch will feature four Generals in the starting lineup under North Division manager Blake Lalli, including starting pitcher Riley Smith, outfielder Jeffrey Baez, catcher Daulton Varsho, and third baseman Drew Ellis. More information on Tuesday's contest can be found on the Biloxi Shuckers' website, Biloxi Shuckers.com.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
6:35 pm CT Thursday (6/20) at Mobile BayBears
Hank Aaron Stadium - Mobile, Ala.
Pitching matchup TBA
BROADCAST: Mobile BayBears Baseball Network
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
June 30-July 1 vs. Montgomery Biscuits (AA, Tampa Bay Rays)
…featuring Jackson's Independence Day Celebration (July 3), with a special fireworks night!
 
The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. The Generals play at The Ballpark at Jackson, Tennessee's 2017 & 2018 Pro Sports Field of the Year. Purchase your tickets to see the defending Southern League champions today by calling 731.988.5299 or visiting JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!