Bullpen Struggles as Barons Fall 9-4
May 14, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
KODAK, Tenn. - A late inning collapse sealed the Birmingham Barons (15-23) in their 9-4 loss Tuesday to the Tennessee Smokies (18-20) from Smokies Stadium.
Tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Tennessee blew it wide open. The Smokies sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on five hits, two walks, two wild pitches, one fielding error and a stolen base. It set a new season high for runs given up in an inning by Barons pitching.
After Barons starter Kodi Medeiros pitched a solid five innings and allowed just one run, the Barons first two relievers struggled out of the gate. Mauricio Cabrera made it through the sixth but blew the save. Connor Walsh started the seventh but failed to record an out and surrendered six runs (five earned) and two walks.
White Sox phenom prospect Luis Robert came up with a clutch two out, two-run single to score Blake Rutherford and Trey Michalczewski in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. Trailing 9-2, an RBI single from Michalczewski and an RBI groundout from Nate Nolan in the eighth cut it a bit closer to 9-4.
Smokies third baseman P.J. Higgins got the scoring started for the Smokies on Tuesday. With one away in the third, Higgins split the gap in left-center to score Luis Vazquez on an RBI double to make it 1-0.
Trailing Birmingham 2-1, Tennessee designated hitter Jesse Hodges plated the tying run on a sacrifice fly to center in the sixth.
Walsh took the loss, his first of the season, and Medeiros earned a no decision. Medeiros lowered his ERA to 6.04 but remains winless since coming over to the Barons last season.
Robert, the White Sox No. 4 prospect playing in his 11 game as a Baron, knocked in his fifth and sixth RBIs. Robert was named Carolina League Player of the Month for April after batting .453 with eight homers and 24 RBI in 19 games with Class A+ Winston-Salem.
The Barons three errors Tuesday tied their season high for errors in a game. The five Barons pitchers Tuesday used also set a new season high for most in a game.
The Barons will conclude their Smokies series and 10-game road trip at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday. Left-hander Bernardo Flores (2-4, 2.84) will make his eighth start of the season.
WJQX-FM 100.5 will be the home of the Barons on Tuesday. Fans can tune into the Coca-Cola Pregame Show starting at 5:45 p.m.?
The Birmingham Barons are the proud Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons will open the home portion of their 2019 season, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jordan's lone year in baseball, against the Tennessee Smokies at 7:05 p.m. April 10 at Regions Field. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or additional information about Regions Field, please visit barons.com or call (205) 988-3200.
• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...
Southern League Stories from May 14, 2019
- Extra Special: Shuckers Get 2-1 Win in 10 over Jacksonville - Biloxi Shuckers
- Pensacola Shuts out Chattanooga, 3-0 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- M-Braves Drop Fourth Straight Despite Out-Hitting Biscuits 9-3 - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits Walk Past M-Braves, 3-1 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Sanchez Stars in Double-A Debut, But Shrimp Lose in Extras - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Brewers Call up Top Prospect and Former Shucker Keston Hiura - Biloxi Shuckers
- Bullpen Struggles as Barons Fall 9-4 - Birmingham Barons
- Seven Run Seventh Sets up Rubber Match - Tennessee Smokies
- Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Game Notes, May 14 vs. Biloxi - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Generals Gameday: May 14 at Mobile - Jackson Generals
- Top Marlins Prospect Sixto Sanchez Joins Shrimp - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Weigel, Ynoa Promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett - Mississippi Braves
- Mississippi Braves Youth Baseball Camp Now Open for Registration - Mississippi Braves
- Two-For-Two: Generals Sweep Doubleheader at Mobile - Jackson Generals
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.
