Barons Conclude Road Trip with Loss to Smokies

KODAK, Tenn. - A five-run sixth inning propelled the Tennessee Smokies (19-20) to a series-clinching 7-3 win over the Birmingham Barons (15-24) on Wednesday night at Smokies Stadium.

The Barons entered the sixth with a slim 2-1 lead before Tennessee capitalized upon an unusual circumstance to take the lead for good.
A rare interference call, which negated an otherwise successful pickoff play, jump-started the Smokies' surge. Barons starter Bernardo Flores, who committed the interference, was charged with just the second error of his professional career. The Smokies went on to score five runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run home run from Charcer Burks.
Birmingham opened scoring in the opening frame when Luis González brought home Luis Robert with a sacrifice fly. Laz Rivera then broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth when he sent an RBI-single through the left side.
Gonzalez later collected his team-leading 18th of the season after he scored Robert via a sacrifice fly for the second time. However, the run came with Birmingham down 7-2 at the time.
Flores (L, 2-5) suffered a tough loss in 5.1 innings of work. The southpaw surrendered just one earned run (five total) on six hits and did not walk a batter. Birmingham committed three errors in the game, including the interference call tagged upon Flores.
Cory Abbott (W, 4-2) earned his second win against the Barons after he allowed two runs across six innings.
Following their nine-game road trip, the Barons will return home to Regions Field as they begin a five-game series with the Mississippi Braves. First pitch in the opener is set for 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
Coverage of Thursday's game will begin at 6:50 p.m. with the Coca-Cola Pregame Show on WJOX-AM 690.
- BARONS -
The Birmingham Barons are the proud Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or additional information about Regions Field, please visit barons.com or call (205) 988-3200.
Southern League Champions: 1906 • 1912 • 1914 • 1928 • 1929 • 1931 • 1958 • 1967 • 1983 • 1987 • 1989 • 1993 • 2002 • 2013
33-Year Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox