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SL1 Birmingham Barons

Barons Drop First Game of "WhatIfSports.Com Series" to Akron, 5-4

September 1, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


Gordon Beckham's throw to the plate was on the mark, but Akron's John Drennen avoided the tag to score the go-ahead run Monday night as the Akron Aeros took game one of the best-of-seven simulated series with the Barons, 5-4.

With the scored tied at four, Jhonny Nunez (0-1, 3.38) hit Drennen to leadoff the ninth inning. Jerad Head struck out before Jesus Merchan hit the game-winning double to left center field that plated Drennen.

Akron took an early lead when Carlos Santana scored on a one-out single to left field by Beau Mills.

The Barons responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning compliments of a CJ Retherford two-out, two-run single to left field. Brandon Allen led off the inning with a walk and moved to third one batter later when Dayan Viciedo doubled. Stefan Gartrell followed with a strikeout for the first out of the inning and Christian Marrero lined out to shortstop for the second out. David Cook then walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Retherford.

Akron came back in the fourth inning by scoring three times off Barons starter Aaron Poreda. After the first three Akron batters reached base, Jose Costanza gave the visitors the lead with a bases-loaded single that scored two runs. Jesus Merhan extended the lead to 4-2 with a two-out, run scoring single.

The Barons nearly took the lead in the fifth inning when Dayan Viciedo hit a game-tying, bases-loaded double that saw Brandon Allen get thrown out at the plate on a perfect throw by Drennen.

Poreda (0-0, 6.00) ERA started the game for the Barons and allowed four runs on ten hits. The big lefty struck out just one batter and issued two walks.

Josh Judy (1-0, 0.00) earned the win by tossing 2.0 innings in relief. He allowed one hit and struck out two batters.

The Barons will attempt to even the best-of-seven, computer-simulated series between the Barons and the Aeros when the series resumes with game two on Tuesday night. Daniel Hudson will get the call for the Barons opposite Chuck Lofgren.

The series between the teams featuring the top two records in Double A Baseball is made possible by WhatIfSports.Com.

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Southern League Stories from September 1, 2009


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