Saladino Caps 9th Inning Comeback with Walk-Off Hit
Published on June 16, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
Down by four runs entering the ninth, the Barons mounted a huge comeback culminating in a Tyler Saladino walk-off infield hit to give the Barons a 9-8 victory in front of 5,493 fans at Regions Field.
With a first half division title already secured, the Barons would have been excused for accepting defeat while trailing 8-4 entering the ninth. However, their magical season added a new chapter Sunday afternoon starting with a booming three-run home run by Trayce Thompson, his second long ball of the day, bring the Barons to within a run at 8-7.
The home run knocked Moises Hernandez from the game and forced the Generals to bring in closer Carson Smith (0-3, 3.80). Andy Wilkins and Dan Black greeted Smith with back-to-back singles, putting runners at first and third for Michael Earley. Jared Mitchell was brought in to pinch run for Black, which proved to be a key decision later in the inning. A wild pitch by Smith would score Wilkins from third and send Mitchell to second base, tying the score at 8-8. Later in Earley's at-bat, Mitchell stole third base, putting the winning run 90 feet from home plate.
After Earley was hit by a pitch, Saladino stepped to the plate and capped the comeback with an infield single, scoring Mitchell and setting off a delirious celebration behind second base as Saladino was mobbed by his teammates.
Thompson finished 3-for-5 on the day with two home runs, including a solo shot in the third inning and five RBI while Wilkins finished 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the first.
The win went to Josh Romanski (9.95), his first for the Barons since being traded from the New York Yankees organization. The win pushed the Barons to 43-26 and 23-11 at Regions Field while the Generals fell to 29-36 on the season.
The Barons will look to pick up their 6th home series win of the season in the final game of the first half tomorrow as RHP Erik Johnson (7-2, 2.38) takes the hill looking for his league-leading eighth win. He'll be opposed by LHP Anthony Fernandez (3-2, 6.28). First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 AM CDT.
Southern League Stories from June 16, 2013
- Playoff Hopes Live as M-Braves Beat Smokies 4-1 - Mississippi Braves
- Stars Mount Comeback, Even Series With Lookouts - Huntsville Stars
- Late Innings Unkind to the Smokies in 4-1 Loss Sunday - Knoxville Smokies
- Saladino Caps 9th Inning Comeback with Walk-Off Hit - Birmingham Barons
- Barons Score Five In Ninth To Stun Generals, 9-8 - Jackson Generals
- Ellis Twirls Gem as Wahoos Shutout BayBears 4-0 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Suns Drop Game Four of Series to Biscuits, 5-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Biscuits Score Early to Even Series - Montgomery Biscuits
- Smith to DL with Fractured Leg - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Huntsville Stars Game Notes - Huntsville Stars
- Generals Game Information - Jackson Generals
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