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SL Birmingham Barons

Birmingham's Late Rally Earned Them a Comeback Victory

June 11, 2022 - Southern League (SL)
Birmingham Barons News Release


Pitching paved the way in game five of the six-game homestand versus the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Emilio Vargas took the hill for the second time in this series and only lasted three innings. However, the last time was due to rain, whereas yesterday's example resulted from a high pitch count. Across the three frames, Vargas surrendered one measly run on just two hits, a seemingly surmountable threshold. Conversely, Pensacola's pitcher, Jeff Lindgren, performed incredibly well.

Early on, it became pretty clear that pitching controlled the ballgame. Following Birmingham's early exit, the bullpen needed to step up, a tall task for a team with the worst bullpen ERA in the Southern League. Nevertheless, step up they did, as three men, Kyle Kubat (who earned the call-up the same day), Declan Cronin, and Garrett Davila, combined for five innings of near perfection. Specifically, the trio faced three off from the minimum, meaning only three Wahoos ever reached base, two via base on balls and one courtesy of a harmless single.

Despite Birmingham's bullpen showing out, without any offense, it'd all be for nothing. Overall, Lindgren deserves a ton of credit for his night, as Birmingham could not get anything started with him out on the hill. In the end, the righty lasted 7 innings after giving up just five hits, three walks, and fanning five batters as well. Typically, it is the Barons blowing games following a strong starting pitcher, but, oh, how the tables have turned.

Birmingham rallied off the back of their top prospect Yoelqui Cespedes in the bottom of the eighth. He started the frame off with a missile into the gap, traveling at 109 miles per hour off the bat, that brought in D.J. Burt for the game-tying run. Immediately afterward, it became pretty evident it was not Andrew McInvale's night. His unsteadiness and shaky demeanor on the hill resulted in an offensive onslaught out of absolutely nowhere.

A sacrifice flyout drove in the Barons' second run of the night, thereby giving them the lead. Then, recently added Luis Curbelo ripped a single into left to bring home another run. Lastly, a walk and hit batter drove across the sealing runs for Birmingham. With a 5-1 lead and immaculate pitching thus far, Birmingham called in their recently 'appointed' closer, Fraser Ellard. Albeit, the offense pushed it beyond a save opportunity. Nonetheless, Ellard shut the door on an incredible night of baseball here in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Southern League Stories from June 11, 2022


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