Birmingham Powers Their Way to 11-6 Victory
Saturday night's big win pushed Birmingham back atop the Southern League standings. However, doing so came at the price of everyone's precious time, as the game lasted a season-long three hours and thirty-four minutes without any delays. Nevertheless, the ballgame was entertaining because both sides went blow for blow until
Saturday night's big win pushed Birmingham back atop the Southern League standings. However, doing so came at the price of everyone's precious time, as the game lasted a season-long three hours and thirty-four minutes without any delays. Nevertheless, the ballgame was entertaining because both sides went blow for blow until the Barons finally pulled away. Birmingham started with two quick runs in the first, thanks to a bloop single from who else but Raudy Read.
Tennessee answered in the bottom half, though, as they reeled off three hits and one run. Birmingham dealt their own blow in the very next half, as two walks from Yoelqui Cespedes and Ian Dawkins led to an Alex Destino RBI groundout. Therefore, Magic City claimed a 3-1 lead that sustained for two more innings. Since entering the game in the third, Tennessee's Walker Powell shut done Birmingham's big bats. In the fifth, the Barons got to the 6'8" right-handed reliever.
Immediately, Ian Dawkins launched his fourth home run of the season. Then, a Jose Rodriguez walk and D.J. Burt single set up Craig Dedelow for the perfect opportunity to extend his team-leading RBI total. And, with the infield in, he did just that by clobbering an absolute no-doubter over the right-field fence. Consequently, Dedelow's 18th dinger of the season pushes Birmingham's lead to 7-1. Even so, the Smokies stayed on task and responded with two more runs on three hits in the bottom half.
As a result, Scott Blewett's day ended with 5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, & 5 SOs. Fraser Ellard replaced the big righty and showed off some strong stuff. Despite his recent struggles, Ellard recovered on Saturday by shoving two innings of no-hit, no-run baseball. Similarly, Samuel Reyes for the Smokies matched Ellard but raised him by fanning all six Barons he faced.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Smokies rallied back yet again, as they posted two more runs, all of which came with two down. With the score sitting at 8-5, Birmingham finally shut the door on any comeback. D.J. Burt started the frame off with his third hit of the night. Then, following back-to-back punchouts, Moises Castillo, Yoelqui Cespedes, and J.J. Muno ripped three-straight singles.
Although Tennessee scored in the bottom half, it was too little too late, as the Barons walked away victorious. The 11-6 victory places Birmingham and Tennessee in a tie for first place. Therefore, Sunday's 1:15 pm game is as meaningful as it gets, as the Barons look for the series victory while the Smokies attempt to split.