Sheets Homers in Series-Opening Loss to Smokies

May 11, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release

KODAK, Tenn. - Despite Gavin Sheets' third home run of the season, the Birmingham Barons (13-22) fell to the Tennessee Smokies (17-18) by a 5-1 final in Saturday night's series opener at Smokies Stadium.

The Smokies scored one run apiece across innings No. 2-5 against Barons starter Jimmy Lambert to pull away.

Lambert (L, 3-2) suffered his second loss of the season in a five-inning effort. The right-hander surrendered four runs (all earned) on eight hits and struck out struck out three.

With Birmingham down by a pair of runs, Sheets uncorked a solo shot over the right-field fence to cut into the deficit. Sheets' third home run of the season placed him in a tie for first on the club alongside Yermin Mercedes.

However, the Barons did not manage much additional offense against Smokies right-hander Tyson Miller (W, 2-1). The right-hander scattered five hits and allowed just the one run in seven innings of work.

Sheets' blast, along with a first-inning double from Laz Rivera, represented the lone extra-base hits against Miller. Rivera recorded his third three-hit game of the season in the loss.

The relief efforts of Zack Burdi (1.2 IP), Danny Dopico (0?.1 IP) and Alec Hansen (1.0 IP) kept Birmingham within striking distance late in the game, but the Barons could not capitalize. The bullpen trio combined to allow just one run across the final four frames.

The Barons and Smokies will continue their series with a 1 p.m. matchup Sunday afternoon as Birmingham left-hander Kyle Kubat (1-0, 0.00) opposes Tennessee left-hander Justin Steele (0-2, 10.97).

Coverage of Sunday's game will begin at 12:45 p.m. with the Coca-Cola Pregame Show on WJOX-AM 690.

Southern League Stories from May 11, 2019

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• Montgomery's Four-Run Seventh Erases M-Braves Lead - Mississippi Braves
• Biscuits Rain on M-Braves Parade, 4-3 - Montgomery Biscuits
• Sheets Homers in Series-Opening Loss to Smokies - Birmingham Barons
• Smokies Win 5-1 in Series Opener over Birmingham - Knoxville Smokies
• Jumbo Shrimp Walk off Shuckers 2-1 - Biloxi Shuckers
• Garrett's Walk-Off Wins Series Opener for Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Roeder to New Orleans - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Generals Gameday: May 11 at Mobile - Jackson Generals
• Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Game Notes, May 11 vs. Biloxi - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Siri's Walk-Off Homer Gives Lookouts Extra-Inning Win - Chattanooga Lookouts
• Shuckers Held Scoreless Throughout Double Header in Losses to Biscuits - Biloxi Shuckers
• Biscuits Blank Shuckers Twice, Sweep Twin Bill - Montgomery Biscuits
• BayBears Split Doubleheader to Wrap up Series with Shrimp - Mobile BayBears
• Shrimp End Trip with Doubleheader Split - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

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