Barons Shut Out By Smokies, 1-0

In another low-scoring game between two division rivals, the Birmingham Barons (57-63) fell to the Tennessee Smokies (60-60) by a score of 1-0 on Wednesday night at Regions Field. The loss is the Barons' 13th in their last 17 games.

• Turning Point: With the game still scoreless in the fourth inning, Zack Collins led off the inning with his second walk of the game. He advanced to second on a single by Alex Call before moving to third on a walk by Mitch Roman to load the bases. However, Thomas Hatch (W, 7-5) was able to pitch out of trouble as he struck out Keon Barnum and Bryant Flete to get out of the jam.
• Moments That Mattered: The lone run of the game was scored in the fifth inning by the Smokies on an RBI double by Erick Castillo. Charcer Burks led off the inning with a single to center field. On the next at-bat, Castillo drilled a ball to left that drove in Burks and sealed the game at 1-0. The Barons made some noise in the ninth inning with runners on the corners and two outs, but Allen Webster (S, 1) forced Barnum to ground out to end the game.
• By The Numbers: Matt Tomshaw (L, 4-7) added a quality start for the Barons as he threw 6.0 innings, allowing one run on six hits with seven strikeouts. Brandon Brennan entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out the side. He finished with 2.0 innings pitched, three strikeouts, and did not allow a hit. Matt Foster also made an appearance for the Barons with a clean ninth inning.
• Facts And Figures: The Barons had a quiet night offensively with only three hits as a team. Collins finished 0-for-2 with two walks to put him at 94 for the season, tying him for the lead among all minor leaguers. Call, Roman, and Danny Mendick all recorded singles for the Barons, who were held without an extra-base hit in the loss.
• Up Next: Birmingham and Tennessee will be back at Regions Field for game three of the series on Thursday night at 7:05 PM. Ian Clarkin (3-5, 6.20) will make his 10th start of the season for the Barons. For Tennessee, Michael Rucker (8-5, 3.59) will take the mound. Curt Bloom will have the call on 960 WERC News Radio and the iHeart Radio app.