Tomscha's Huge Day Sinks Tennessee in Series Finale
July 21, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The former Auburn Tiger Damek Tomscha stole the show and killed the lights Sunday afternoon in a Birmingham Barons (44-52) 7-6 win over the Tennessee Smokies (43-56) from Regions Field.
Tomscha, who joined Birmingham on June 28th, blasted his second walk-off as a Baron in the ninth. He roped a single to left, scoring pinch-runner Ramon Torres from second as he slid around a tag at home for the winning run.
The third baseman finished the afternoon 4-for-5 with four RBI, a solo homer and a double to go along with the late single. It was Tomscha's first four-hit game since May 7th, 2018.
Scoreless after three innings, things got crazy. Trailing by a run, the Smokies erupted for six runs in the fourth that featured three doubles including a ground-rule, two-RBI double from Christian Donahue.
Tennessee sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth and scored more runs in the inning (six) than they scored in the first three games combined (five).
In the bottom half, the Barons put a dent in the lead with some longballs. After Tomscha hit his second homer of the season, catcher Alfredo Gonzalez crushed a 499-foot home run off the scoreboard to score Joel Booker from first and cut the lead to 6-4.
Tomscha didn't waste time in tying the game, doubling home Blake Rutherford and Ti'Quan Forbes to even it at 6-6.
It was a tough day for Barons starting pitcher Tanner Banks, who surrendered six runs in 3.1 innings, but the bullpen picked it up. Luis Martinez, Danny Dopico and Vince Arobio combined for the final 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball, with Arobio earning his second win as a Baron.
The White Sox No. 4 prospect Nick Madrigal scored from third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third to put the Barons on top 1-0. With the run, the Barons scored first in each of the four games.
Barons first baseman Gavin Sheets doubled with one out in the ninth before being lifted for the pinch runner Torres. With the hit, Sheets has now reached base safely in 34 consecutive contests.
The win was the Barons 12th at home in the second half, matching their total home wins in the first half.
The Barons have now ended their season series with Tennessee and will begin their final matchups with the Chattanooga Lookouts on Monday. Right-hander Lincoln Henzman (2-4, 4.76) will start and make his ninth appearance with the Barons.
WJQX-FM 100.5 will be the home of the Barons on Monday. Fans can tune into the Coca-Cola Pregame Show starting at 6:50 p.m.
The Birmingham Barons are the proud Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons will open the home portion of their 2019 season, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jordan's lone year in baseball, against the Tennessee Smokies at 7:05 p.m. April 10 at Regions Field. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or additional information about Regions Field, please visit barons.com or call (205) 988-3200.
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Southern League Stories from July 21, 2019
- M-Braves Complete Three-Game Sweep of Blue Wahoos - Mississippi Braves
- Tomscha's Huge Day Sinks Tennessee in Series Finale - Birmingham Barons
- Biscuits Slip Past Generals, 4-3 - Jackson Generals
- Biscuits Slip Past Generals, 4-3 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Six-Run Fourth Not Enough in 7-6 Loss to Birmingham - Knoxville Smokies
- Trammell Finishes Homer Shy of the Cycle in Loss - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Shuckers Use Extras to Sweep BayBears - Biloxi Shuckers
- Seymour Slam Seals Shrimp Sweep 10-5 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Generals Gameday: July 21 at Montgomery - Jackson Generals
- Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp: Game Notes, July 21 at Chattanooga - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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