SL1 Birmingham Barons

Semien's Triple Caps Ninth Inning Comeback

June 22, 2013 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


Birmingham, AL - Trailing 3-1 entering the ninth, the Barons scored four later runs to earn a huge 5-4 comeback win against the Mississippi Braves in front of 2,893 fans at Trustmark Park.

The Barons jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second as Jared Mitchell brought home Andy Wilkins with a two-out RBI single. Wilkins had doubled earlier in the inning, one of two doubles for him on the night.

The M-Braves would respond with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third, scoring the first on a wild pitch by starter Spencer Arroyo and the second on an RBI single by Christian Bethancourt, taking a 2-1 lead.

The score would remain 2-1 until the 8th when Bethancourt would strike again with a solo home run against Jake Petricka as the M-Braves took a 3-1 lead heading into the ninth.

Facing a series loss, the Barons refused to wilt and mounted a huge rally to take a 5-3 lead. Tyler Saladino led off the inning with a base hit but as forced at second on a ground ball by Jared Mitchell. However, Mike Blanke would put runners on the corners with a single to right, sending Mitchell to third.

Manager Julio Vinas responded to the M-Braves brining in reliever Ryne Harper by pinch-hitting Dan Black for Dan Wagner. The move paid immediate dividends as Black delivered with an RBI single, scoring Mitchell and sending pinch runner Cody Puckett to third. The stage was set for Marcus Semien who would come through with the key hit of the game, a two-run triple to straightaway center field, giving the Barons a 4-3 lead. With two-outs, Trayce Thompson gave the Barons a key insurance run by bringing home Semien from third with another base hit and making it a 5-3 lead for the Barons.

The extra run proved to be key as closer Taylor Thompson allowed an RBI triple in the ninth but was able to bear down with the tying run just 90 feet away to record the final two outs of the game as the Barons improved to 46-28 and 2-2 in the second half. The save was Thompson's 10th of the season.

Arroyo (5-5, 3.46) took a no decision despite a solid start allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six over 6.0 IP. Reliever Jacob Petricka (2-0, 2.41) picked up the win allowing a run on two hits over 2.0 IP.

The Barons will look to pick up a series victory tomorrow as RHP Michael Nix (NR) makes

Check out the Birmingham Barons Statistics



Southern League Stories from June 22, 2013


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.

OurSports Central