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SL1 Birmingham Barons

Barons Force Game 7 in WhatIfSports.Com Series

September 8, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


The Birmingham Barons have walked the edge during their seven-game simulated series with the Akron Aeros; but they haven't fallen off the cliff yet. The Barons narrowly held on for a 9-8 win in game six to send the series to an all-or-nothing game seven.

Gordon Beckham hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning that proved to be enough for the Barons to get past the Aeros. The battle between the top teams in Double A Baseball hasn't been short on hits or runs as neither team's pitching staff has been able to shut down the opposition offensively.

The Barons jumped out to a commanding 5-0 lead in the first inning Tuesday night as they sent ten men to the plate. Tyler Flowers, Gordon Beckham and Jordan Danks each had run-scoring hits, and Dayan Viciedo added a two-run single that had the Barons thinking early that a game seven would be in the mix.

But the Aeros wouldn't go away so easily. The visitors posted a run in the second inning, two in the third and three in the fourth to take a 6-5 lead. Battling against left-hander Aaron Poreda, Matt McBride hit a run-scoring double in the second and a two-run double in the fourth inning to cut the Barons lead to 5-3. Jared Head tied the game in the fourth inning with a two-run, bases-loaded single. A Beckham error on the next play allowed the Aeros to take a one run lead.

CJ Retherford tied the game in the Barons half of the inning with a run-scoring double down the left field line, but the Barons pitching staff continued to struggle to keep Akron off the board as Jesus Merchan gave the lead back to the Aeros with an RBI single in the sixth inning.

The Aeros cut the lead to 9-8 when Beau Mills scored on a John Drennen ground out and threatened to add more by loading the bases with two outs, but John Lujan (2-1, 4.76) closed the door for his first save of the series. The middle reliever has been invaluable this series as he has earned a decision in all three of the Barons wins.

Fernie Hernandez (1-0, 0.00) pitched 1.1 innings to earn the victory. He allowed one hit, issued one walk and struck out two batters.

Poreda didn't factor into the decision, though he struggled most of the night. The lefty gave up seven runs - six earned - on 10 hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out none and walked two.

The Barons and the Aeros will play the all-important Game Seven on Wednesday night. The Barons will send Daniel Hudson to the mound in the winner-take-all showdown.

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Southern League Stories from September 8, 2009


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