Barons Sweep BayBears With 3-2 Win
Published on July 3, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
HOOVER, Ala. -- The Birmingham Barons used timely hitting early and clutch pitching late to fend off the Mobile BayBears by a 3-2 count Thursday night and sweep the four-game series between the two clubs. The win was the fifth straight overall for Birmingham (50-36, 10-6) and it was the team's first series sweep since taking five in a row from Mississippi April 14-18. This is the quickest the team has reached 50 wins in a season since doing it in the 88th game of 2005, and it is the farthest above .500 the team has been all year.
Birmingham got on the board early against Mobile starter Cesar Valdez (0-1), who was making just his second start of the season for the BayBears (35-51, 6-10) after receiving a promotion from A-Advanced Visalia.
Stefan Gartrell opened the home half of the second with a double to left, one of his two hits in the game and the first of five Birmingham two-baggers. Micah Schnurstein followed with an RBI double to right that gave the Barons a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Robbie Hudson rapped the first of his two doubles on the evening and brought in Schnurstein for a 2-0 Birmingham advantage.
While it wasn't much offense, it was more than enough for Barons starter Kyle McCulloch (6-7). He opened the game with 4.2 shutout innings until Brandon Byrne cranked a solo home run to right center, his fifth of the season, and pulled the BayBears within 2-1. That was the only run McCulloch would allow in five innings and the home run was one of just two hits he surrendered. He walked one and fanned five in the win.
Birmingham got that one run back in its half of the fifth when two singles and an RBI groundout extended the lead to 3-1. It would be a key insurance run, because Mobile's John Hester smacked a solo home run in the top of the sixth off Barons reliever Ryan Rote to once again get Mobile within a single score.
Mobile would threaten again in the ninth. Hester doubled down the left field line to open the inning off the Barons' All-Star closer, Jon Link. Cyle Hankerd lined out to center, but it was not deep enough for Hester to tag up and try to take third. Chris Rahl then sent a soft grounder to the hole at short that Birmingham shortstop Robert Valido picked up and threw to third, where Hester was tagged out while attempting to advance. Link induced a comebacker to end the contest and clinch his league-leading 23rd save of the year.
The Barons' Hudson and Victor Mercedes each extended their hitting streaks to six games. For the second time in a week, though (and only for the seventh time all season), the Birmingham offense did not record a walk.
The Barons will hit the road Friday to open a four-game set at Huntsville, where the Barons took four-of-five games during a crucial stretch late in the first half. Righty Justin Cassel (7-3), a Southern League All-Star, is expected to start for Birmingham, and he will be opposed by lefty Troy Cate (1-0). First pitch is set for 7:05 pm.
Southern League Stories from July 3, 2008
- Barons Sweep BayBears With 3-2 Win - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears road woes continue - Mobile BayBears
- Diamond Jaxx Endure Lookouts, 7-6 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Mudcats' rally not enough - Carolina Mudcats
- Three Hits Not Enough For Smokies In 4-0 Loss - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns pull out victory over Carolina - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Ungs and Shiell Shut Down Smokies - Huntsville Stars
- Auburn and Alabama to play at Riverwalk Stadium - Montgomery Biscuits
- 2007 Number One MLB Draft Pick to Pitch at Pringles Park - Jackson Generals
- BayBears Roster Move - Mobile BayBears
- Four Mudcats Weigh Down All-Star Starting Lineup - Carolina Mudcats
- Southern League Player of the Month - SL1
- Biscuits Experience Highs and Lows In Rollercoaster Loss - Montgomery Biscuits
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