Barons Beaten 12-4 as Smokies Strike Back
Box Score | Play-by-Play
KODAK, TN - Less than 24 hours after the Birmingham Barons boasted 11 runs in series-opening victory, the Tennessee Smokies returned the favor and dealt the Barons a 12-4 loss to even the series after two games.
Barons' starter Jordan Guerrero lasted just three innings, surrendering eight hits and six earned runs while walking one batter and striking out one Smokies hitter. Today marked his first regular season loss since July 22, 2015 when he was a member of the Winston-Salem Dash.
James Dykstra was unable to stop the damage in relief, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks. Brock Huntzinger made his Barons debut in the fifth inning, allowing three hits and two earned runs while adding a strikeout in two innings of work.
At the plate, Nicky Delmonico's two-RBI triple scored Marcus Lemon and Jake Peter to give Birmingham an early 2-0 edge. Joey DeMichele added his fifth RBI of the series, plating Keenyn Walker to briefly even the score 3-3 before Tennessee pulled away in the middle innings.
Matt Lollis threw two scoreless innings to finish the game, the lone Barons pitcher to leave his outing unscathed. Nick Basto registered an RBI in his return to the lineup, plating Courtney Hawkins after the Barons right fielder started the eighth inning with a leadoff double.
RHP Carson Fulmer returns to the mound tomorrow evening, as the Barons and Smokies face off with a scheduled 6:05 p.m. first pitch. In his lone start of the season against Tennessee April 13 at Regions Field, Fulmer allowed four runs in five innings pitched with three strikeouts.
About the Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons hit the road to face the Tennessee Smokies, AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, before returning to Regions Field Thursday, May 19th. For further information about the Barons and the 2016 season at Regions Field, please call (205) 988-3200 or visit www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.