SL Birmingham Barons

Barons Fall to Smokies in Extra Innings 4-3

Published on July 6, 2023 under Southern League (SL)
Birmingham Barons News Release


The Birmingham Barons and the Tennessee Smokies have had very different seasons so far. The Barons have an overall record of 28-48 and sit fourth in the Southern League North, while the Smokies have an overall record of 40-36 and second in the North. However, whenever these two have matched up the games are must watch MiLB.TV. In Game 2, the Barons fell 4-3 to the Smokies in an extra inning battle, the foes' eighth straight game decided by one run.

In the loss, the Barons' three runs came on solo home runs by Chris Shaw, Terrell Tatum and Jose Rodriguez, respectively. Among the three contributors Tatum had the most production along with the home run. Tatum finished the night 3-5 from the plate with a run, an RBI and his second home run as a Baron.

Birmingham scored their runs in the third and the sixth inning. Shaw's home run in the third was a game tying shot, however, did not last too long as the Smokies collected a run in the bottom of the third. The Barons bats aided as the pitching staff had to overcome some rotational adjustments.

Birmingham started LHP Andrew Perz in the contest for his first start of the season. Perez managed to go 2.2 IP and ended the night with two hits, two earned runs, one walk, a home run and four strikeouts. The left-hander was efficient in the first two innings as he sat down the Smokies in eight batters. The third inning was when Perez was relieved after giving up his second earned run.

The Smokies captured the lead and the Barons went to the bullpen early to try to combat the dynamic offense. Birmingham called LHP Brooks Gosswein out of the pen first for his 2.2 innings pitched.

Gosswein in his innings of work finished with three hits, one run, zero earned runs, five walks and one strikeout. The second left-hander of the night was a tad scattered on the mound as he found himself in trouble a couple times in his outing, but was able to escape with minimal damage done.

The efforts from the bump gave the Barons bats time to start to heat back up as the away team captured the lead with back-to-back home runs in the sixth. Tatum and Rodriguez lead off the top of the sixth inning with two consecutive home runs, which is the first time the Barons have done so since last July.

Jumping to the bottom of the sixth when LHP Jonah Scolar relieved Gosswein. Scolaro displayed an outing that confirms why he leads the team in ERA with 1.44. The third southpaw of the night finished with zero hits, zero runs and four strikeouts. Before Scolaro came into the game Gosswein had allowed his lone run across the plate as the score sat at 3-3 through six innings.

The Barons and Smokies would threaten but the game was not meant to end in regulation. The ballgame entered the top of the 10th and with Moises Castillo placed at second base per extra innings rule the Barons saw a golden opportunity to score. Tatum led off the 10th with a perfectly placed bunt that would advance Castillo to third and place a speed threat like himself on first.

After a strikeout by Rodriguez, Tatum took it upon himself and stole second to place two runners in scoring position with one out. Birmingham would strand both runners with back-to-back strikeouts and give the Smokies an opportunity to win with a walk-off.

The Smokies first two batters of the bottom of the 10th would send their hard-hit balls into the depths of the outfield. The first would advance the runner to third and the final deep fly would allow for the runner to score the winning run.

Birmingham and Tennessee always know how to put on an entertaining ballgame, however, the Barons would rather it end in favor of them. The Barons look to Game 3 to take back their game advantage with Chicago White Sox No. 14 prospect RHP Matt Thompson getting the start.

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Southern League Stories from July 6, 2023


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