Jackson's Tyler O'Neill hit three home runs in the four games played.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Montgomery, Ala. - After three nerve-wracking affairs, the Generals clinched a spot in the Southern League Championship Series Saturday night with a convincing 8-2 win over the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium. Jackson homered twice in the first inning before batting around in a five-run fifth inning to run away with the clinching game.
With the win, the Generals are headed for the Southern League Championship for the first time since 2012.
Jackson did not take long to jump in front.
With one out in the top of the first, Tim Lopes singled before Tyler O'Neill mashed a two-run opposite field homer to put the Generals up 2-0. It was the third homer in four games for O'Neill, who finished the series with seven hits in 15 at-bats.
Ryan Casteel quickly added to the team's lead two batters later, launching a solo shot to left field that made it 3-0. It was the second homer in as many games for Casteel, who had three in the regular season for Jackson.
Bryan Evans (1-0, 1.50) was sensational for the Generals after giving up a lone run in the first inning. Patrick Leonard singled to bring Montgomery within two, but that was it for the Biscuits against Jackson's starter. In six innings, Evans struck out eight and walked just one while keeping the Generals well in front.
The Generals sealed the deal with a big fifth inning. Benji Gonzalez singled before Tim Lopes doubled off of Montgomery starer Hunter Wood (0-1, 14.50) . With first base open, the Biscuits intentionally walked Tyler O'Neill to load the bases. After a force out at the plate, Wood walked Casteel with the bases loaded to bring in a run. With the Generals up 4-1, Montgomery went to the bullpen.
Yonny Chirinos didn't fare much better in relief. Leon Landry made it a four-run game with a single to right-field to bring O'Neill home. Tyler Marlette followed with a double off the fence in centerfield that plated a pair to make it 7-1, though Landry was thrown out at home. Adam Law capped off the inning with a single to centerfield, scoring Marlette to make it 8-1.
All told, the Generals scored five runs on six hits in the fifth inning while sending ten men to the plate. The six hits in an inning tied a regular season high for the team. The Generals scored eight times on 15 hits total in the contest.
Jackson held on to its sizable lead over the game's final innings. After six strong frames from Evans, Ryne Harper struck out three over two innings. Brandon Sisk finished it off for the Generals. Montgomery got a run in the ninth, but Sisk punched out Jake DePew to secure a spot in the Championship Series for the Generals.
With the win, the Generals head to the Southern League Championship Series for the first time since 2012. The team is in search of its second league title, and it's first since 2000. Games one and two of the final series will start at 6:05 pm CT at The Ballpark at Jackson Monday and Tuesday.
The Generals will take on the Mississippi Braves in the final series after Atlanta's Double-A squad knocked off Pensacola in four games.
In other playoff action:
Braves 4, Blue Wahoos 2
The Mississippi Braves defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4-2 Saturday night at Trustmark Park to take the Southern League South Divisional Series three-games-to-one and advance to the Southern League Championship Series for the first time since 2008.
The Braves will take a day off Sunday and travel to Jackson, Tenn., for games one and two of the SL Championship Series Monday and Tuesday at 7:05 PM EST. The two teams will take another off day Wednesday before returning to Trustmark Park for games three, four (if necessary) and five (if necessary) Thursday through Saturday.
The M-Braves jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Levi Hyams and Dustin Peterson reached on back-to-back singled and Joey Meneses walked. Connor Lien then delivered a two-run single to right to put the Braves out front early.
In the third, Peterson reached on an errant throw by the second baseman with two outs. Carlos Franco then ripped a double to right field, driving home Peterson and extending the M-Braves lead to 3-0.
Pensacola responded in the fourth. Alex Blandino walked and Phillip Ervin doubled to start the inning. Sebastian Elizalde then drove home both runners with a base hit up the middle, making it a one-run game.
Johan Camargo and Kade Scivicque reached on back-to-back one-out singles to start the Braves half of the fourth. Both runners moved up on Lucas Sims' sacrifice. Mallex Smith then singled home Camargo to extend the Braves lead to 4-2.
Storms rolled through after the fifth inning and delayed the game for one hour and 12 minutes. Play resumed and the M-Braves bullpen shut down the Wahoos to secure advancement into the championship round of playoffs.
Lucas Sims (1-0) held Pensacola to two earned runs on two hits and two walks. He struck out six batters in five innings pitched to pick up the win. Relievers Evans Phillips, Caleb Dirks and AJ Minter (S, 1) tossed the final four innings to close out the game.
Tyler Mahle (0-1) started and worked just 3.2 frames for the Blue Wahoos. He gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits and a walk while striking out one.
Lucas Sims, one of Atlanta's top pitcher prospects, picked up the win.
photo by Tim Evearitt