Powerful Arms Lead Barons To 3-2 Win
July 5, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Behind a quality start and an amazing late relief performance, the Birmingham Barons (40-42) held on for a 3-2 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (40-43) on Thursday night at AT&T Field. The win evens up the four-game series at one game apiece.
Turning Point: With the game scoreless in the fifth, a two-out rally was decisive for Birmingham. Alfredo Gonzalez's single put runners on the corners with two outs. Joel Booker followed with an RBI single to right to plate Bryant Flete with the game's first run. Luis Basabe's two-run single to left scored Gonzalez and Booker with the winning runs.
By The Numbers: Three runs were plenty of support for Barons starter Bernardo Flores (W, 2-1). The left-hander was strong over 6.0 innings, giving up just one run on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts to earn his second straight win. Flores has thrown a quality start in all three of his starts with the Barons in his Double-A debut after being promoted from Winston-Salem on June 21.
Moments That Mattered: Looking to protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Barons closer Jose Ruiz (S, 6) got into a quick jam as an error and two singles cut the Birmingham lead to 3-2 and put runners on the corners with nobody out. The All-Star reliever made an incredible escape, striking out the next three hitters to end the game and strand the tying and winning runs on base.
Facts And Figures: After struggling at the plate in Wednesday's loss, the Barons produced eight hits on Thursday to earn the win as Basabe, Flete, and Gonzalez each recorded two hits in the triumph. In relief of Flores, Zach Thompson tossed 2.0 scoreless innings with three hits and four strikeouts to protect the lead before Ruiz finished the win.
Up Next: The two sides meet in game three of the four-game series on Friday night at 6:15 p.m. Dylan Cease (0-0, 4.63) is scheduled to start for the Barons against the Lookouts' Anthony Marzi (0-5, 7.27). Curt Bloom will have the call on 960 WERC News Radio and the iHeart Radio app.
--BARONS-
The Birmingham Barons are the proud Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons return to Regions Field for a four-game series against the Mississippi Braves from July 8-11. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar, or for additional information about Regions Field, visit barons.com or call (205) 988-3200.
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