Barons Stay Alive at Rickwood, 5-1
June 11, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
BIRMINGHAM, AL â Huntsville's celebration must wait at least one more day. A win over Birmingham coupled with a Diamond Jaxx loss to Mobile would have secured the first-half title for the Stars. Instead, the Barons played spoiler on Wednesday afternoon at Historic Rickwood Field. In the Eighth Annual Rickwood Classic, Birmingham (32-31) defeated the Stars (36-27), 5-1, in a game shortened by rain. Huntsville's magic number remains at two to clinch the Southern League West first-half crown.
Before Mother Nature took over, Tetsu Yofu was in control. The Barons' Japanese right-hander was nearly perfect through five innings, facing the minimum 15 batters while allowing just one single and one walk. Yofu struck out the side to start the game and fanned five over the first three frames. Huntsville did not have a runner in scoring position through 5 2/3 innings, and Yofu led 2-0.
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Mike Kremblas ripped a double down the leftfield line. Ryan Knox promptly singled Kremblas to third. Dave Krynzel then singled sharply to right-center, scoring Kremblas and pushing Knox to third. Yofu retired J.J. Hardy on a liner to left, but the Stars had pulled within 2-1.
Birmingham responded in the bottom of the frame, capitalizing on Huntsville's charity. Scott Bikowski reached when Richard Paz booted his ground ball to second, and Darron Ingram followed with a single to right. Bikowski raced to third on the base hit, and Ingram advanced to second when Noochie Varner's errant throw eluded Corey Hart at third. Jonathan Aceves delivered a two-run double and took third on Guillermo Reyes' sacrifice bunt. Chad Durham hit a sharp ground ball up the middle that the shortstop Hardy smothered with a dive, but his only play was to first. Hardy retired Durham with a throw from his knees as Aceves scored for a 5-1 Barons lead.
The game was called when rain poured down with Noochie Varner batting and Daryl Clark at first after a leadoff single in the top of the eighth. Yofu (4-4) notched his fourth win, permitting one run on four hits and one walk while fanning seven over six innings. Mike Jones' five-game winning streak was snapped with his first loss since April 17. Jones (6-2) surrendered five runs, two earned, on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in six innings. Jeff Bajenaru tossed a spotless seventh for the Barons, and Ken Ray authored a perfect seventh for the Stars.
Huntsville and Birmingham conclude the four-game series on Thursday night at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, when Stars righty Jeff Robinson (0-0, 9.00) meets Barons right-hander Mitch Wylie (1-0, 4.15). Game time is 7:00 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...
Southern League Stories from June 11, 2003
- BayBears hold off West Tenn - Mobile BayBears
- Smokies game suspended - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons Stay Alive at Rickwood, 5-1 - Birmingham Barons
- Stars Fall at Rickwood, 6-1 - Huntsville Stars
- Pearce Promoted to Memphis - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns Pound O-Rays 14-3 - Orlando Rays
- Suns come alive in 14-3 win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Newborns Have a Ball - Knoxville Smokies
- Stars Win Sloppy Game, 7-4 - Birmingham Barons
- Stars Hang on for 7-4 Win - Huntsville Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
