Hawkins, Bullpen Lead Barons to 6-4 Win
April 17, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Barons claimed a 6-4 win on the road in Chattanooga Friday night, improving their record to 3-4. Outfielder Courtney Hawkins blasted a two-run home run in the first inning, and the bullpen defended a one-run lead starting in the seventh.
Center fielder Jacob May began his 3-for-5 performance with a one-out double in the first, and Hawkins followed up with a moon-shot to left to put the Barons up 2-0.
Barons starter Mike Recchia hit a bump in the third inning, giving up a grand slam to Miguel Sano, pushing the Lookouts to a 4-2 lead.
Recchia left after five innings of work, allowing four runs on five hits, but would receive no decision courtesy of a four-run Birmingham comeback. Jason Coats began the comeback with a double in the fifth, his second of four hits on the evening, and was driven in on a Jeremy Farrell single to center.
Trailing 4-3, Birmingham knotted the game at four in the sixth. Shortstop Tim Anderson began the inning with an infield single, a stolen second and advanced to third on a throwing error. With one out on the board, a May groundout allowed Anderson to sneak home to tie the score.
The Barons scored for a third consecutive inning in the seventh to take a 5-4 advantage. On two outs and catcher Adrian Nieto on at first via a walk, Farrell put the ball in play toward third base. Third baseman Sano threw wide of the bag at first, allowing both runners to advance, and an aggressive base-running decision by Manager Julio Vinas to send Nieto home gave Birmingham an insurance run.
Commanding a two-run lead, relievers Miguel Chalas and J.B. Wendelken tossed a combined four innings of one-hit baseball. Chalas picked up the win and Wendelken was credited with the save.
"I am extremely proud of the way our guys played tonight," Vinas said. "Chattanooga is a very good team. Our offense hit well against their pitchers, and our bullpen was great for us tonight."
The Barons return to Birmingham Monday, April 20 to host the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Tickets for the home stand are on sale now and include Thirsty Thursday, Mardi Gras in April & craw fish boil, Superheroes Night and a Regions Field Baseball Give-away.
To order tickets, visit Barons.com or call (205) 988-3200. For more information, visit us at www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.
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