SL1 Birmingham Barons

Suns Take Finale, 11-5

Published on July 6, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


BIRMINGHAM, AL – Benefiting from 10 walks, the Suns beat the Birmingham Barons, 11-5, on Sunday evening in front of 2,087 fans at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Trailing 4-1 through three innings, the Suns scored six times in the fourth off Barons relievers Kris McWhirter and Matt Smith. Derek Michaelis, Brennan King and Reggie Abercrombie had consecutive run-scoring hits. B.J. Waszgis grounded out, scoring King. Off Smith, Mike Collins doubled to score Abercrombie.

McWhirter (1-3) allowed six runs in 1-2/3 innings to pick up the loss. Barons starter Mitch Wylie left the game in the second inning after discovering a blister on his right hand.

The Suns (40-47 overall, 9-9 second half) kept the pressure on. Against reliever Jim Bullard, Michaelis drove in Nick Alvarez to boost the lead to 8-4. Jeff Bajenaru walked Alvarez with the bases loaded in the sixth, giving the Suns a 9-4 lead. Barons manager Wally Backman used seven Barons pitchers in anticipation of the upcoming All-Star Break.

The Barons (42-43, 9-8) got out to an early lead against Suns starter Joel Hanrahan. Carlos Maldonado smacked a two-run single in the first inning that gave Birmingham a 2-0 lead. Juan Piniella knocked home another run in a two-run third inning. The Suns recovered to boost Hanrahan. At 9-3, Hanrahan became the second Southern Leaguer to nine victories this season. He scattered nine hits, allowed three earned runs and struck out eight.

The Southern League will pause for the All-Star Break over the next three days. The game will be held 6:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Barons resume the second half 7:00 p.m. Thursday vs.the Mobile Baybears at the Hoover Met.

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Southern League Stories from July 6, 2003


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