Biloxi shucks Generals with four-run eighth inning

BILOXI, MISS. - The Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, drew even with the Biloxi Shuckers in the eighth inning on Sunday, but the home side pulled away for a 5-1 victory at MGM Park.

The series-opening win snagged by Biloxi (49-37, 8-8 Second Half) pushed the Generals (45-41, 6-11 Second Half) further behind the eight-ball this month, falling to 3-5 in July.
Right-handed starter Justin Donatella dealt five innings and allowed only one run to the Shuckers, surrendering a solo home run to Lucas Erceg in the second inning. Donatella departed after 84 pitches with the Generals trailing 1-0, giving way to Kevin Ginkel for the next two frames. Ginkel put up clean sixth and seventh innings, but Daniel Gibson (2-1, 4.67 ERA) ran into trouble in the eighth, allowing a four-run Biloxi rally that swept the Generals roughly into the Shuckers' wake. Brad Goldberg got the final out of the eighth on three pitches, extending his streak to eight straight scoreless appearances.
Offensively, the Generals' recent issues with runners in scoring position persisted, as Jackson collected only one hit in nine such chances. Over their last eleven contests, the Generals' offense is now batting 19-for-117 (.162) with men in scoring position. Biloxi starter Marcos Diplan struck out ten men over 6.1 innings, and the West Tennessee crew failed to record any extra-base hits, stolen bases, or sacrifices. Rudy Flores drove in the game-tying run with a single in the eighth inning that brought in Domingo Leyba, but the lineup could not overcome the four-run hole they faced in their final at-bat. Ben DeLuzio had two hits.           
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
6:35 pm CT Monday (7/9) vs. Biloxi Shuckers
MGM Park - Biloxi, Miss.
RHP Joel Payamps (7-2, 2.38 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Brown (7-0, 2.44 ERA)
Broadcast Link: Biloxi Radio
UP AND COMING AT THE BALLPARK:
July 12-16 vs. Mobile BayBears (AA, Los Angeles Angels)
…featuring Jurassic Park Night (July 14) and Belly Buster Monday (July 16)!
July 23-27 vs. Biloxi Shuckers (AA, Milwaukee Brewers)
…featuring Belly Buster Monday (July 23)!
The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2017, The Ballpark at Jackson was named the Professional Sports Field of the Year by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. In 2018, the Generals and manager Shelley Duncan won the First Half North Division title, assuring them of a bid to the Southern League playoffs in September. For tickets and more information about the Generals,
dial 731.988.5299 or log on to our ticket page at JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!