BayBears tie game in seventh, but drop series opener

MOBILE, Ala. (May 12, 2018) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, erased a three-run deficit but dropped the series opener 5-3 to the Birmingham Barons Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Trailing 3-0 in the fifth inning, Zach Gibbons got a Mobile (16-19) rally started with an RBI single. Gibbons finished the game with a season-high three hits. Brendon Sanger drove in a run with a base hit in the seventh and scored the tying run on a fielding error.
However, the Barons (18-18) reclaimed the lead in the ninth inning on Bryant Flete's two-run double off Vicente Campos (0-1). Ian Hamilton struck out the side in the bottom of the frame and worked around a one-out Gibbons double to earn his seventh save.
Neither starting pitcher factored in the decision. Luis Pena pitched 4 2/3 innings and struck out five batters, settling in after allowing a pair of second-inning home runs to Matt Rose and Keon Barnum. Dane Dunning gave up one run on four hit in a five-inning start for Birmingham.
Despite blowing the save, Ryan Burr (1-0) tossed a pair of scoreless innings and allowed just one hit in his first win of the season.
The BayBears continue the five-game home series against Birmingham Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Right-handed pitcher Jose Rodriguez (1-4, 5.13 ERA) is scheduled to make the start against righty Spencer Adams (2-3, 6.68 ERA) for the Barons. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 1:45 p.m.
The BayBears host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 3. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2018 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
 
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 160 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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