BayBears Force Game 5 With 3-1 Thriller

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Bo Schultz held the Birmingham Barons to one run in 7 2/3 strong innings, and Raywilly Gomez went 3-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs as the BayBears forced a winner take all game 5 in the Southern League Championship Series with a 3-1 win on Saturday night at Regions Field.

On the heels of a 6-0 win on Friday, it was the BayBears that struck first again in game four when they plated the game's first run in the top of the 2nd inning. Nick Evans led off with a double into the left field corner, Garrett Weber moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt, and then Gomez got started. The BayBears catcher ripped a ball down the third base line that appeared headed to the left field corner, but instead struck the left foot of third base umpire Derek Mollica. The ball ricocheted back to Barons third baseman Dan Wager who had a chance to throw out Evans at the plate. Barons catcher Mike Blanke dropped the ball, however, allowing Evans to slide in safely giving the BayBears a 1-0 lead.

Gomez doubled the lead in the top of the 4th with his first home run as a BayBear, and that would prove to be enough for the combination of Schultz and Mobile closer Jake Barrett.

Schultz scattered five hits while pitching into the 8th, with three of the hits going to Barons leadoff man Micah Johnson. Birmingham scored its lone run in the bottom of the 4th when Johnson singled, stole second and third, and came in on a Trayce Thompson groundout to first.

Barrett entered the game after Johnson's third hit came with two outs in the 8th, and the BayBears closer needed just 13 pitches to record four outs for his third save in as many chances in the postseason.

Dustin Martin hit a towering home run in the top of the 9th to score the BayBears third run, and give Mobile its first multi-homer game in the postseason.

Saturday's BayBears win sets up a winner-take-all game five to be played at 6:00 CT at Regions Field in Birmingham. Mobile is seeking its third consecutive Southern League Championship while Birmingham is looking for its first league title since 2002. Bradin Hagens will be making his first postseason start - and first start since August 29th - for Mobile opposite Myles Jaye for Birmingham. The game can be heard live on baybearsradio.com.