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SL1 Birmingham Barons

Barons Walk Past D-Jaxx, 2-1

June 3, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Birmingham Barons and the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx were locked up in a pitchers duel for the entire game but the Barons came out victorious as they earned a split in the four-game series by a score of 2-1 in front of 4,016 fans on Tuesday evening. The win, coupled with a Huntsville loss earlier in the day moves the Barons within 2.5 games of first in the Western Division.

D-Jaxx starter Angel Guzman tossed an outstanding game, going eight innings and giving just one run on six hits while striking out eight. The lone run against Guzman came in the first inning as Ryan Hankins stroked an RBI double down the right field line to score Danny Sandoval who had just reached on single to center. Despite the solid outing he got the no decision as the Barons pitching staff put together a gem of their own.

Birmingham lefty, Neal Cotts started the game and threw two scoreless innings but left the game as a precaution after complaining of a sore left shoulder. Resent call up Kris McWhirter came on to relieve Cotts and went three scoreless, giving up just two hits and striking out two and Jeff Bajenaru tossed two and third scoreless innings of his own before giving way to closer Royce Ring.

Ring, who hadn't given up an earned run since April 7th at West Tenn, gave up a lead-off homer to Ray Sadler in the top of the ninth to register just his second blown save of the year in 15 chances. He would settle down, however, and retire the side in order after that to give the Barons a chance to win it in the bottom half.

The Barons would respond as John Leicester came on to relief Guzman and proceed to load the bases on a walk to Darron Ingram, a single by Juan Piniella and a walk to Josh Shaffer to set the stage for Guillermo Reyes. Reyes would work the count to 3-1 before Leicester walked him to let the winning run cross the plate. The bases loaded walk made a winner or Ring (1-2) and gave Leicester (3-3) the loss.

Tomorrow is a league wide off day but the Barons will travel West Tennessee on Thursday to start a four-day, five-game series. Thursday will see Barons send out RHP Enemencio Pacheco (5-1, 2.05) to face RHP Travis Anderson (1-1, 3.72). Game time is 7:05 and all the action can be heard on 101.1 FM "The Source" with Curt Bloom on the play-by-play.

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