Pensacola Eclipses Generals In Opener

Pensacola, Fla. - The sun came out today, but it didn't shine on the Jackson Generals in Pensacola. Tied 1-1 after seven innings, a late rally by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos burned the visitors in the series opener, as the Generals were blocked out, 3-1.
Right-hander Joel Payamps was a bright spot for Jackson, rising to a six-inning effort on the mound with only a solo home run allowed to former General Gabriel Guerrero. The loss drops Jackson dangerously close to the non-playoffs horizon, sinking the Generals 7.5 games below the top Wild Card spot with 14 left to play.

The Blue Wahoos (27-29, 67-59) cut in front of the Generals in the bottom of the eighth inning. Arismendy Alcantara reached base on a fielder's choice, and Guerrero followed with a one-out walk to advance Alcantara to second base. Taylor issued a free pass to Nick Senzel to load the bases, and a single by Josh VanMeter brought in a pair of runs. The Generals, winless this year when trailing after eight innings, were not able to muster a comeback against Pensacola reliever Carlos Gonzales (S, 6) in the top of the ninth.
After Guerrero's one-out solo home run in the third inning, the Generals (25-31, 62-64) answered in the fifth inning with a manufactured run. Jamie Westbrook led off with just his 17th walk of the year, but it proved critical, as Kelly Dugan doubled right afterward to move Westbrook to third base. Vladimir Frias hit a 2-1 offering from Pensacola starter Deck McGuire deep enough to center field to allow Westbrook to tag up and come home, equalizing the score.
McGuire and Payamps rotated like clockwork, with each man supplying five scoreless half-innings through the first six frames. McGuire ultimately lasted one inning longer than Payamps, walking one fewer batter (one, rather than two) while striking out one more (six, versus five by Payamps). Both threw at least 65% of their pitches for strikes, and both got more flyouts than groundouts. Andrew McKirahan (1-0, 5.40 ERA) got the win by following McGuire with an inning of scoreless relief work, while Mason McCullough's one-inning, run-free effort for Jackson stayed partly hidden in the shadow of the loss.
Dugan finished as the only General with multiple hits on the night. Jackson went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, and an opportunity for early hay-making went begging, as Emilio Bonifácio was gunned down trying to steal third in the first inning. The Generals' loss drops them to 10-16 in series-opening games, splitting 5-8 marks evenly between home and road games.
The Generals' series at Pensacola continues on Tuesday, as right-hander Brad Keller (8-9, 5.30 ERA) works on Jackson's behalf against Pensacola's Keury Mella (3-10, 4.77 ERA). First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium comes at 6:35 pm CT, and fans can listen to all the action starting with the Pregame Show at 6:20 pm CT on Willie 94 FM & 1390 AM!
After their series at Pensacola, the Generals will return home to face Chattanooga in the season's final homestand on Saturday, August 26. The series opener features the final Fireworks Show of the year! Jackson's annual SEC Night with Postgame Fireworks is sponsored by WBBJ and Jackson Sport & Fitness! The Generals will be giving away tickets to a number of SEC Football games throughout the night! Early arrivers will take home a trucker hat, and the Memphis Grizzlies Caravan will be at the game with former Kentucky standout Andrew Harrison!
Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20th 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!