Cron Helps Generals Knock Out Kopech

Birmingham, Ala. - Matched up with an ace on the hill, All-Star first baseman Kevin Cron and the Jackson Generals answered the bell, plating six runs in the first five innings to topple Birmingham 6-1 on Friday. Jackson (36-32) took All-Star right-hander Michael Kopech (4-4, 3.55 ERA) for five hits, two of which were run-scoring doubles by Cron.
Entering the game as the Southern League leader in slugging percentage, Cron finished 3-for-5 on the night with a run scored and three runs driven in. Generals right-hander Joel Payamps (2-1, 4.66 ERA) allowed just one run to Birmingham (25-42) through seven innings of work, clinching the team's 36th victory of the year to ensure a winning percentage above .500 in the First Half of the Southern League season.

Kopech will play alongside Cron for the North Division team during the Southern League All-Star Game on June 20th, but tonight the two were adversaries. With one out in the top of the first, Kopech struck out second baseman Kevin Medrano, but the strikeout pitch was a wild one, allowing Medrano to reach first base. Cron promptly bounced a double over the head of third baseman Cameron Seitzer into the left field corner, giving Medrano time to score all the way from first base for a 1-0 lead.
Jackson designated hitter Colin Walsh, another All-Star, led off the third inning with a double. Medrano singled to put men on the corners, and Cron lashed his second double of the game, scoring Walsh for a 2-0 lead. Left fielder and All-Star Rudy Flores reeled in Medrano with a sacrifice fly to deep center field that bumped the lead to 3-0, and Dawel Lugo dumped a single into the left-center field gap, scoring Cron for the Generals' third run of the frame.
Jackson's two tallies in the fifth inning finally forced Kopech from the hill. Walsh led off with a walk, and Medrano followed behind him with a free pass. That was all for Kopech, and his replacement Thaddius Lowry struggled to get going. Lowry's first two pitches to Cron were wild, with the second one scoring Walsh for a 5-1 lead. Cron then delivered a single to right field that scored Medrano, making the advantage 6-1 in Jackson's favor.
Payamps weathered a two-out single in the second inning and a pair of walks in the third to complete the first four innings without allowing a run. Birmingham first baseman Keon Barnum led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to right field, the only mark against the Generals all night. Payamps retired nine of the next ten batters to finish seven innings with five hits allowed, striking out four. Jared Miller and Yuhei Nakaushiro each threw scoreless innings of relief in the victory.
The series in Birmingham continues Saturday night with a 6:30 pm CT affair. Taylor Clarke (5-3, 2.86 ERA) will start for the Generals, taking on Birmingham's Matt Cooper (1-5, 3.61 ERA). Pregame coverage from Regions Field begins at 6:15 pm CT on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM in Jackson, and online via the TuneIn Radio App.
After the All-Star Break, Jackson opens up the Second Half at home with five against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in West Tennessee. The opener is a Thrifty Thursday with $2 deals on general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, soda, beer, ice cream and Fun Zone access. Game two is a Leaders Credit Union Food Truck Friday with local food trucks at The Ballpark! The team will also wear special Hub City Hippo uniforms that night! The game-worn and signed jerseys will be auctioned off at the season's end with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson thanks to Tennessee811!
Saturday, June 24 is Pirates and Princesses Night brought to you by Leaders Credit Union, featuring a number of iconic characters and a Postgame Fireworks Show! The first 1,000 fans will take home a Generals t-shirt, and one lucky fan will win a Caribbean Cruise vacation!
The series wraps up Monday, June 26 with Splash Day! It's one of the most fun days all summer in Jackson, featuring all kinds of water games under the sun. Campers get in free, and lunch packs will be available to purchase for just $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!