Columbus Overpowered by Birmingham in 8-5 Series-Opening Loss

Tristin English sent the Columbus Clingstones (9-7) out to an early 3-0 lead, but an overwhelming onslaught of offense from the Birmingham Barons (7-9) in the first three innings dealt Columbus an 8-5 loss on Tuesday night at Regions Field.

Decisive Plays: A three-run home run from English (3) put the Stones in front 3-0 in the top of the first before Owen Murphy (L, 1-1) took the mound. A double steal got Birmingham on the board in the first, and the Barons overtook Columbus with a three-run second inning. The Barons smashed two home runs in a three-run third frame to take a 7-3 advantage. Columbus struck again with a two-run home run from David McCabe (6) to cut the deficit in half, but the Barons added an insurance run back in the seventh inning to lead 8-5. Braden Montgomery made a leaping snag on a line drive from McCabe in the ninth to seal the loss.

Key Contributors: English (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) and McCabe (1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) drove Columbus offensively while Patrick Clohisy (3-for-5, 3B) extended his hitting streak to five games. For Birmingham, Jeral Perez (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) and Adam Fogel (1-for-4, 2 RBI) put the game away with their third inning homers.

Notable: Columbus falls to 0-4 in series openers this season. McCabe has recorded home runs in back-to-back games. Murphy yielded a career high seven runs in his start. Columbus now has 27 home runs on the season through 16 games.

Next Game (Wednesday, April 22): Columbus at Birmingham, 12:00 p.m. at Regions Field. RHP Garrett Baumann (2-1, 6.91 ERA) makes the start for Columbus while RHP Connor McCullough (0-0, 2.00 ERA) will start for Birmingham. Radio Broadcast: 11:45 a.m. on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, April 28): Columbus vs. Montgomery, 6:05 p.m. at Synovus Park. Radio Broadcast: 5:50 p.m. on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.