Ijames, Clarke Power Generals to Series Win

Jackson, Tenn. - A strong start from Taylor Clarke and clutch offense helped the Generals take Saturday night's series finale from Birmingham 6-4 in front of 2,379 in Jackson. After dropping two of the first three games to Birmingham, Jackson rattled off wins in the final two contests to earn the series win.
Taylor Clarke (8-4, 2.66) was splendid in a winning effort for the Generals. The righty allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings of work, striking out six while walking just two. The All-Star lowered his ERA to 2.66 in the process. 

Birmingham (6-10, 32-53) got to Clarke early, scoring a run on two hits in the first inning. Mason Robbins drove in Jake Peter with a single to put the visitors up a run before the Generals answered back with two runs in the second. With the bases loaded, Oscar Hernández plated Victor Reyes with a fielder's choice groundout to shortstop. Kevin Medrano followed with a double that scored Stewart Ijames to give Jackson a 2-1 lead.
Jackson (7-9, 44-42) added a run in the third inning to make it 3-1. Domingo Leyba, activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, doubled to lead off before moving to third on a wild pitch. Jamie Westbrook got him home with a sacrifice fly. Westbrook had a single in the fifth inning as well, extending his hit streak to seven games.
The Barons cut Jackson's edge to one thanks to a pair of walks and an error in the top of the fifth, but Kevin Cron helped the Generals push the lead back to two in the home half of the inning. Kevin Medrano doubled with one out off of Jordan Stephens (0-2, 1.54), and Cron singled him home to make it 4-2. Cron now leads the Southern League with 61 RBI.  
After Clarke was taken out of the game, Birmingham drew within a run again. Keon Barnum led off the seventh inning with a solo shot, making it 4-3. Jackson would turn the game over to closer Gabriel Moya with two outs in the eighth inning to preserve the lead.
The Generals finally got some breathing room in the bottom of the eighth. With one on and two outs, Stewart Ijames took Aaron Bummer deep to make it a 6-3 game. Moya (S, 15) completed the four-out save with a perfect ninth inning. The lefty has not blown a save this season, and the last run he allowed was on May 1.
Jackson hits the road Sunday for the team's lone four-game series this season. The Generals head to Trustmark Park to take on the Mississippi Braves, handing the ball to Brad Keller (5-6, 5.08) in the opener against former General Tyler Pike (0-3, 5.09). First pitch from Pearl, Mississippi is set for 5:00 pm CT, and fans can follow along by tuning in on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM starting with the Pregame Show at 4:45 pm CT.
After a quick four-game trip to Mississippi, the Generals return home Thursday to continue a fun-filled July! The opener is a Thrifty Thursday, featuring $2 deals on general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, soda, beer, ice cream and fun zone access! For just $6, fans can get reserved seats! Game two is a Leaders Credit Union Food Truck Friday, featuring a bevy of local food trucks in the fun zone! The Generals will also play as the Hub City Hippos, as they do at every Friday home game! The special game-worn and signed jerseys will be auctioned off at year's end with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson thanks to Tennessee 811!
The series is highlighted by Disney Night sponsored by Tennessee Donor Services Saturday! It's one of the biggest nights of the summer in Jackson, so get your tickets now! We'll have a special Disney-themed Fireworks Show after the game, one of four shows in July! One lucky fan will also win a Disney Vacation!
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!