SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Castro Stifles Smokies as Tennessee Falls to Barons, 4-1

Published on May 9, 2012 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


HOOVER, Ala. - Birmingham starter Simon Castro allowed just one unearned run over seven innings of work as the Barons defeated the Tennessee Smokies, 4-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Regions Park.

After first pitch was delayed over an hour and a half due to rain, Castro (3-1), the third-rated prospect in the White Sox organization according to Baseball America, surrendered just three hits and struck out five batters.

Second baseman Logan Watkins collected three of Tennessee's four hits, finishing 3-for-4 with a double.

Birmingham (19-15) opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. After Tennessee starter Dallas Beeler walked Andy Wilkins, Wilkins swiped second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Jared Mitchell. The Barons took a 2-0 lead in the third when Tyler Saladino doubled and stole third before scoring on a base hit off the bat of Drew Garcia. Birmingham made it 3-0 in the fifth when Louis Sierra drew a leadoff walk and came plateward later in the frame on an RBI single off the bat of Corey Smith.

The Smokies would take advantage of a Birmingham miscue in the top of the seventh to score their only run. With one out, Matt Cerda walked and Mike Burgess singled. The next batter, Mike Brenly, hit a chopper to third which Smith bobbled, then threw wide of second base into right field to allow Cerda to scamper home and cut the Tennessee deficit to 3-1.

The Barons added an insurance run in the eight when Seth Loman led off with his second home run of the season down the right field line to cap the scoring, 4-1.

Beeler (0-2) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Tennessee reliever Casey Harman entered with two runners aboard in the fifth and left them both stranded as he retired all seven batters he faced out of the bullpen. Santos Rodriguez closed out the contest with two scoreless frames out of the Birmingham bullpen to notch his third save in as many chances this season.

The Smokies and Barons conclude their five-game series on Thursday night at 8:05 p.m. ET when Tennessee sends right-hander Dae-Eun Rhee (2-1, 5.57 ERA) to the mound against Birmingham righty Cameron Bayne (3-1, 5.04 ERA) at Regions Park.

GAME NOTES: Justin Bour had his eight-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-for-3 outing.

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Southern League Stories from May 9, 2012


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