Battenfield Halts Lookouts, Gets Barons Back in Win Column

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A strong outing from Blake Battenfield helped get the Birmingham Barons (46-54) a 2-1 victory Thursday night over the Chattanooga Lookouts (46-56) at Regions Field.

A bit of oddity and fortune got the Barons the lead for good. In the bottom of the sixth after a Luis Basabe walk, Damek Tomscha lined a single to center fielder Jose Siri. Siri made a lazy, running fielding attempt and the ball slipped under his glove and trickled about 15 feet behind him.
This allowed Basabe to come all the way around and score, while Tomscha pulled into third off the error and the Barons went ahead 2-1.
"The Magic Man" Nick Madrigal got the scoring started in the bottom of the third, lacing an RBI single to left to score Joel Booker. In the inning, Booker, Laz Rivera and Madrigal reached during a span of three hits on four pitches.
Soon after in the fifth, Lookouts leadoff hitter Jose Siri singled to left and brought home catcher Tyler Stephenson to tie the game 1-1.
Pitching very strong outings Thursday night were both starting pitchers. Battenfield, earning the win for Birmingham, went a season-high seven innings of one-run ball. On the other side, Lookouts starter Tony Santillan tied his season-high with eight strikeouts and allowed just one earned run.
Barons reliever Codi Heuer tied the team-lead with his fourth save of the season after striking out Stephenson in the ninth.
The single for Madrigal, the Chicago White Sox No. 4 prospect, in the third extended his hitting streak to eight-straight contests and 24 of his last 25 games. Over the hitting streak, he has 10 hits, five doubles and three RBI.
Also in the win, the Barons set a new season-high in double plays turned. After notching twin-killings in the first, second and fourth innings, Laz Rivera fielded a grounder from Alfredo Rodriguez, stepped on second to retire Siri and threw on to first for their fourth double play of the night.
The Barons will wrap up their season against Chattanooga Friday evening, starting at 7:05. Left-hander Tanner Banks (1-5, 4.28) will start and make his 21^st appearance with the Barons.
WJQX-FM 100.5 will be the home of the Barons on Wednesday. Fans can tune into the Coca-Cola Pregame Show starting at 6:50 p.m.
The Birmingham Barons are the proud Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons will open the home portion of their 2019 season, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jordan's lone year in baseball, against the Tennessee Smokies at 7:05 p.m. April 10 at Regions Field. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or additional information about Regions Field, please visit barons.com or call (205) 988-3200.
Southern League Champions: 1906 • 1912 • 1914 • 1928 • 1929 • 1931 • 1958 • 1967 •1983 • 1987 • 1989 • 1993 • 2002 • 2013
33-Year Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox