Barons Barrage Biscuits, 18-2

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Biscuits' (64-53) five-game winning streak was snapped on Friday as Montgomery was trounced by the Birmingham Barons (56-60), 18-2, at Riverwalk Stadium. Birmingham's Keon Barnum and Zack Collins both had two home runs, including a grand slam, and six RBIs. The Barons' seven home runs tied a single-game Southern League record for the most in a contest. The last time a Southern League team had seven home runs was June 4, 2010, when Jacksonville obliterated Carolina.
The Barons' offense continued to belt Biscuits' pitching. Luis Basabe began the contest with a home run off Montgomery starting pitcher Blake Bivens (0-1). Birmingham added two more runs on Barnum's first home run, extending its edge to 3-0.
Although the Biscuits plated a run on a Jesús Sánchez second-inning RBI-single, Major League Baseball's number 44 prospect Dylan Cease (3-0) kept Montgomery silent. Cease went 5.2 innings, surrendering the sole run and limiting the Biscuits to two hits.
Following Cease's departure, Birmingham supplied further run support. Barons' designated hitter Matt Rose snuck his sixteenth home run over the right-field wall, doubling Birmingham's total.
Trailing 6-1, the Biscuits failed to generate any offense. Montgomery's best chance to cut into the deficit came in the sixth inning. As Cease's control faltered, Brady Williams' bunch found itself with the bases loaded and two outs. However, Jake Cronenworth struck out on a 3-2 pitch from Zach Thompson, allowing the Barons to escape. 
Birmingham continued to feast on the Biscuits' bullpen as Danny Mendick smacked a two-run home run in the eighth. Zack Collins got in on the fun as well, hitting two home runs in the inning, including a grand slam off Biscuits' catcher Danny De La Calle, who came on to pitch with two outs in the ninth. Barnum also had a grand slam earlier in the frame.
Once the Barons' ten-run attack concluded, De La Calle drove home his sixth RBI of the season on a sacrifice fly.
Montgomery continues a five-game homestand against Birmingham Saturday on Wrestling Night, featuring an appearance by WWE Hall-of-Famer Jeff Jarrett as well as MAX Fireworks, at 6:05 p.m. The Biscuits will start an opener, who will be followed by Benton Moss (5-4). The Barons will go with former Biloxi Shucker starter Kodi Medeiros (7-6).
The series concludes with Bark in the Park and Kids Day, including a Kids Baseball Giveaway, on Sunday, August 12.