Clingstones Fall 4-1 to Birmingham In Soggy Game at Synovus Park
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (13-18) waited out a nearly three-hour rain delay and battled through a long night, controversial calls, and hot tempers in a 4-1 loss to the Birmingham Barons (15-16) on Saturday night at Synovus Park. The game was completed in seven innings due to the
COLUMBUS, GA., — The Columbus Clingstones (13-18) waited out a nearly three-hour rain delay and battled through a long night, controversial calls, and hot tempers in a 4-1 loss to the Birmingham Barons (15-16) on Saturday night at Synovus Park. The game was completed in seven innings due to the start time occurring after 9 p.m.
Decisive Plays: An RBI sacrifice fly for Michael Turner gave the Barons a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. A fly ball down the left field line from Ryan Galanie was called a three-run home run in the sixth. The controversial call resulted in Clingstones' manager Cody Gabella being ejected from the game. Moments later, a close pitch from Clingstones' reliever Jorge Juan toward Turner briefly resulted in both benches emptying. Juan was also ejected. In the seventh, Kobe Kato homered (1) to make it 4-1.
Key Contributors: Kato (2-for-3, HR, RBI) had the only RBI for Columbus while Braves' No. 11 prospect Didier Fuentes (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) turned in the best start of his brief Double-A career. For Birmingham, Galanie (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) had the decisive, and divisive, home run.
Noteworthy: The game started after a delay of two hours and 56 minutes. Kato delivered the Clingstones sixth home run of the homestand.
Next Game (Sunday, May 11): Columbus vs. Birmingham, 1:05 pm ET at Synovus Park. Radio Broadcast: 12:50 pm ET on Sports Visions 92.1 FM. RHP Lucas Braun (3-0, 2.97 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by LHP Noah Schultz (1-1, 3.90 ERA) for Birmingham.