The Jackson Generals took a 1-0 series lead in the Southern League Championship series last night with an 8-1 win over Mobile. Two of the Mariners top five prospects came up especially big in the game, with James Paxton having potentially his best start of the season.
Paxton went 7.1 innings and allowed 4 hits, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB and 10 K in the victory. Paxton has not allowed an earned run in 13.1 playoff innings and has allowed just five earned runs over his last 35.1 innings. He'll be headed to the Arizona Fall League on a very high note.
Catcher Mike Zunino, who had three home runs in the opening round, went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, walk, RBI, and three runs scored. He is hitting .444 in the playoffs. It seems likely that both Zunino and Paxton will start 2013 with AAA Tacoma, right on the cusp of joining the major league club.
Johermyn Chavez went 2-for-4 with a home run and 5 RBI.
James Gillheeney gets the game 2 start tonight at 4:05 PST.