Tomshaw Tosses Gem as Barons Earn Split of Twin Bill

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Luis Robert delivered three hits and Matt Tomshaw tossed a six-inning gem as the Birmingham Barons (22-35) earned a split of Monday night's doubleheader at Regions Field against the Jackson Generals (33-24).

GAME 1 - Jon Jay made his mark in the first game of his rehab assignment, but the Barons dropped Game 1 of the doubleheader by a 5-2 final.
Jay, who singled home a run in the second inning to pull the Barons within a pair of runs at the time, went 1-for-3 in his Barons debut. It marked the first Double-A game for the 34-year-old outfielder since Aug. 14, 2008.
However, despite Jay's offensive production, the Barons fell behind early and could not muster a comeback. Jackson used a pair of first-inning home runs to pull ahead and extended its lead in the fourth with another two-run blast.
Barons starter Jimmy Lambert (L, 3-4) surrendered five runs (all earned) on six hits and struck out two across six innings of work.
Birmingham catcher Nate Nolan deposited a solo shot to straightaway center as the Barons tried to spark a comeback in the fourth, but Generals southpaw Bryan Valdez (W, 2-2) managed to limit the damage.
Matt Brill collected his fourth save of the season for Jackson, while right-hander Zack Burdi tossed one scoreless inning in relief for the Barons.
GAME 2 -Luis Robert recorded a three-hit effort and scored a pair of runs as the Barons salvaged a split of the twin bill with a 6-0 win in the nightcap.
Robert's offensive showcase, which included his team-leading ninth stolen base of the season, helped back a combined shutout from left-hander Matt Tomshaw and right-hander Danny Dopico.
Tomshaw (W, 2-1) logged six scoreless frames in his first start for the Barons since April 7. The veteran southpaw surrendered just two hits and struck out nine for his second victory of the season. Dopico recorded a shutdown seventh to seal the win.
It marked Birmingham's fourth shutout of the season and its second against Jackson.
The Barons backed the strong start from Tomshaw with a four-run second inning. Gavin Sheets led off the frame with a walk, which was followed by a single from Trey Michalczewski. White Sox No. 9 prospect Blake Rutherford delivered a run-scoring single to put the Barons ahead early with his 15th RBI of the season.
Laz Rivera continued to move the line with an RBI-base knock and Alfredo González extended his hitting streak to seven games (with Birmingham) to make it 4-0.
Robert scored his first run of the game via a run-scoring single off the bat of Gavin Sheets in the fifth and came around to score once more when Yermin Mercedes singled in the seventh.
The win, which dates back to a May 10 postponement of the series finale in Jackson, resulted in a series victory for the Barons from the five-game set.
The Barons and Generals will continue their six-game series Tuesday afternoon as Birmingham sends left-hander Kyle Kubat (3-1, 1.38) to the mound. Jackson is yet to announce its starter.
First pitch in Tuesday's game is set for 7:05 p.m. CT at Regions Field and the game will be broadcast via WJQX-FM 100.5.
- 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.
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33-Year Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox