Johnson Notches 2nd Straight Complete Game Win

The Birmingham Barons showed tremendous patience at the plate, drawing 11 walks over 7.0 innings and starter Erik Johnson (6-2, 2.53) notched his second-straight complete game as the Barons defeated the Huntsville Stars 7-4 in game one of their double header at Joe Davis Stadium.

The Barons put a four-spot up in the first inning, thanks to some erratic pitching by the Stars. Marcus Semien led off the game with a single. Stars starter Arcenio Leon walked the next four batters, forcing in two runs and knocking him from the game without retiring a batter. Mark Williams relieved and walked Jared Mitchell and Mike Blanke later in the inning to give the Barons a 4-0 advantage in support of Erik Johnson.

A Blanke solo homer in third and a sacrifice fly by Michael Earley in the 4th would put the Barons ahead 7-1. However, the Stars used home runs of their own, one by Rene Tosoni in the 2nd and a three-run shot by Mike Walker in the 4th to keep the game close into the later innings.

The score would get no closer as Johnson held the Stars scoreless over the final three innings. The win was Johnson's third in a row and his second complete game effort. With the win, the Barons improved to 38-21 and lowered their magic number 4 to secure their 10th playoff birth in the last 14 seasons.