Errors Prove Costly in Barons 6-3 Loss to Smokies
July 2, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
KODAK, Tenn. - The Birmingham Barons (35-47) six-game winning streak came to a close in their 6-3 loss Tuesday against the Tennessee Smokies (39-43) at Smokies Stadium.
The Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate got on the board first for the second time in this series and they did it off the backs of some Birmingham mistakes.
With one out in the second, Barons left fielder Joel Booker dropped a routine fly ball that allowed Vimael Machin to reach. He would come home to score on a fielder's choice later to make it 1-0.
Later, Christian Donahue stole second base and the throw from Barons catcher Nate Nolan to second was wide and into the outfield. It advanced Donahue to third and he would score a few pitches later on a single from Wynton Bernard. Both runs went unearned against Barons starter Lincoln Henzman.
The early errors ended a streak of solid defense from Birmingham, who committed their first errors in three-straight games.
Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Nolan blasted a two-run homer way deep to left. It was Nolan's second homer of the series and he finished the night with two hits.
The tie was short-lived. Tennessee broke out in the bottom of the fifth for 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. Leading the charge Smokies catcher P.J. Higgins, who roped a two-RBI single to score Roberto Caro and Zack Short and go up 4-2.
The inning could have been worse if it hadn't been for a standout defensive play from Luis Robert. La Pantera gunned down Connor Myers on a gorgeous throw from right-center, as Myers was trying to go from first to third on a single. It was Robert's fourth outfield assist this season.
Henzman couldn't get out of trouble in the fifth and after a Machin RBI single to make it 5-2, he was relieved. He finished the night going 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits, 3 runs and two strikeouts while taking the loss.
Gavin Sheets did his part to cut into the lead, with an RBI single to score Robert in the eighth.
The Smokies came right back with a sac fly in the bottom of the eighth and shut the door in the ninth for their first win of the series.
For Sheets, the RBI was his 52nd of the season and keeps him second in the Southern League in that department. Sheets has now hit in 11 of his last 12 games.
Smokies starter Alex Lange pitched a solid six innings of two earned runs and a strikeout, picking up his second win with Tennessee.
Even in the loss, Madrigal extended his current hitting streak to double digits. His fifth inning, check swing single through the right side pushed his streak to 10-straight games, where he is now batting .350 with five RBI and six walks.
The Barons will finish up their series against the Smokies on Wednesday with an evening start at 6:00 p.m. Left-hander Matt Tomshaw (3-4, 3.31) will make his seventh start as a Baron this 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.
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