Kirkland's Big Night Cramps BayBears
Published on August 18, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
PEARL, Miss. - With the release of third baseman Eric Campbell early on Tuesday, Kody Kirkland got the start at the hot corner and went 5-for-5 including a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth to push the Mississippi Braves past the BayBears 6-5 on Tuesday night at Trustmark Park.
Kirkland kicked off his big night in the bottom of the second against starter Tom Layne with a run-scoring double to draw Concepion Rodriguez to the dish after Rodriguez doubled, leading off the second.
Mississippi (56-64, 25-25) kept that 1-0 cushion until the fourth when Scott Diamond got licked for three runs on three hits. Ricardo Sosa and Cyle Hankerd began the frame with successive singles while both men scored on a three-bagger by Chris Rahl. Rahl touched the plate after Matt Tupman's sac fly to make it 3-1.
In the fifth, the BayBears (59-63, 22-30) dented Diamond again with three straight two-out singles. Hankerd's was the last of the three as his brought home Bryan Byrne, giving the BayBears a 4-1 advantage.
Layne labored a bit in the sixth as Rodriguez singled with two away and advanced to third on another two-bagger by Kirkland. Hankerd's toss to second base was high, allowing Rodriguez to score. Kirkland came home on a ground-rule double off the bat of Travis Jones.
Roque Mercedes helped Layne get out of the sixth by seducing Matt Young to pop out with the bases loaded, but Mercedes coughed up a game-tying dinger to Jason Heyward in the seventh. Pete Clifford got that run right back with a solo blast of his own in the eighth against Deunte Heath, but the BayBears wouldn't hang on to that lead for long either.
Abe Woody (0-1) surrendered three singles in the bottom of the eighth with Greg Creek coming off the bench to tie the contest at 5-5 as he knocked in Jones. After Lee Hyde (1-0) hung a zero in the top of the ninth, Woody let Rodriguez pick up his third hit of the night with a ground ball single to left.
During the Kirkland at-bat, Rodriguez stole second which redirected the outfielders from playing deep to leaning in, giving Kirkland some room to bang the ball over Rahl's head in center for the game-winner.
The Mobile BayBears have sent nearly 100 players to the major leagues. They battle the Braves in game three of their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 with Wes Roemer (7-7, 4.05) getting the start. The BayBears return home on Saturday, August 22 for Latino Night as they host the Jacksonville Suns at 7:05. For Hank Aaron Stadium tickets, call (251) 479-BEAR or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com.
Southern League Stories from August 18, 2009
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