Hub City homers power Hippos past Birmingham

JACKSON, TENN. - The equation is simple enough when you look at it: home run plus home run equals victory.

The Jackson Generals (28-19) improved to 5-0 this season when homering more than once, taking a 5-2 victory over the Birmingham Barons (20-27) on Friday at The Ballpark at Jackson. The Jackson victory in front of 4,477 keeps Shelley Duncan's side within one win of first place in the Southern League's North Division.

The Generals improved to 7-1 against Birmingham thanks in part to the prowess of right-hander Taylor Widener (3-2, 2.74 ERA). Widener dealt 5.1 innings against the Barons, allowing one run while striking out seven to raise his league-leading punchout total to 70 batters through ten starts. The Generals pitching staff followed his effort with holds from Gabe Speier and Mason McCullough, with a fourth save from Yoan López to complete the victory. The Barons managed only one extra-base hit.
Veterans Jamie Westbrook and Rudy Flores teed off on Birmingham pitching on Friday, finishing a combined 5-for-7 with four runs scored and four driven in with 13 total bases. Juniel Querecuto claimed the team lead with his ninth and tenth stolen bases of the year, bringing his total to three in this series and six in the month of May. The Generals are now 3-1 this year in the alter-ego Hub City Hippos uniforms, with Widener pitching in two of the three victories.
TOP PERFORMERS - Generals
RHP Taylor Widener - 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K
1B Rudy Flores - 2-3, R, 3 RBI, BB, 2B, HR
LF Jamie Westbrook - 3-4, 3 R, RBI, 2B, HR
TOP PERFORMERS - Birmingham
LF Eloy Jiménez - 2-4, R, K, 3B
RHP Brandon Brennan - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
NEXT GENERALS GAME:
6:05pm CT Saturday (5/26) vs. Birmingham Barons
The Ballpark at Jackson - Jackson, Tenn.
RHP Ryan Atkinson (2-4, 4.42 ERA)
vs.
RHP Jordan Guerrero (1-5, 6.38 ERA)
UPCOMING GENERALS HOMESTANDS:
May 23-27 vs. Birmingham Barons
June 3-7 vs. Tennessee Smokies
Dial 731-988-5299 for tickets to see Jackson Generals Baseball,
OR
log on to JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com!