Barons Win Final Home Series in Dominant Afternoon

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Clutch hitting and stout pitching from some of the hottest players for the Birmingham Barons (64-71) resulted in a home team 3-0 shutout victory Sunday afternoon over the visiting Biloxi Shuckers (81-57) from Regions Field.

The Barons got it going in the second inning, with an RBI single from Luis Basabe to score Joel Booker from second. One batter later, Blake Rutherford continued his torrid pace with a ripper two-run double to score Luis González and Basabe and make it 3-0.
It's been a fantastic end of the season for both Basabe and Rutherford. So far in the series, Basabe has seven hits and four RBI. Rutherford, after batting .318 with a .410 on-base percentage in August, is 6-for-13 in the Shuckers series.
Birmingham starter Tanner Banks was masterful, winning his fourth consecutive outing and his fifth overall in 6.1 scoreless innings. He also didn't walk a batter, as Banks came into the day second in the Southern League with a 4.3 walk percentage.
The bullpen was lockdown after Banks' departure. Bennett Sousa and Danny Dopico combined for 2.2 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. Sousa earned his first hold of the season and Dopico picked up save No. 6.
The win was the Barons 10^th shutout of the season. They also won the series with the win, regardless of Monday's outcome. The Barons lost the series 3-2 in April when these two teams met the first time.
Birmingham will wrap up their regular season Monday, hosting Biloxi starting at 11:30 a.m. CT.
WJQX-AM 100.5 will be the home of the Barons on Monday. Fans can tune into the Coca-Cola Pregame Show starting at 11:15 a.m. CT.