Barons Comeback Falls Short, Lose 5-3

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Pensacola evened its series with Birmingham 2-2 Thursday evening as the Barons fell 5-3 at Regions Field. Despite a 2-for-4 performance from newly-added Brian Fletcher and a three-run spark in the mid-innings, the Blue Wahoos bullpen overpowered the Birmingham offense, allowing just two hits in three innings.

The Barons found themselves in an early 2-0 hole in the first inning. Reds prospect Jesse Winker led the attack with a solo home run to right off starting pitcher Mike Recchia. Pensacola added on three more run in the fourth on three hits.

Winker finished the night 2-for-5 with two RBI, and catcher Chris Berset collected three hits to dive in one run. The Wahoos roughed Recchia for four earned runs through five innings on seven hits. The Barons started was charged with his first loss of the season, dropping his record to 0-1.

Birmingham began charging back in the bottom of the fourth inning, starting with a Courtney Hawkins triple down the left field line to begin the frame. The left fielder scored on a Christian Marrero RBI groundout, and Fletcher came up with a double to right-center to record his first hit as a Baron. The newest addition then scored on a Danny Hayes double to right, cutting the Pensacola lead to three runs.

Fletcher brought the Barons within two runs in the sixth inning, smacking a double to left-center. The gapper allowed Marrero to score all the way from first after leading off the inning with a walk. Despite the mid-game heroics, the Wahoos bullpen extinguished Birmingham's comeback chances. 

Pensacola relievers Kyle McMyne, Carlos Gonzalez and Ben Klimesh combined to two-hit the Barons through three innings, retiring eight of 10 batters faced. McMyne and Gonzalez were credited with holds, and Kimesh picked up his second save of the year. Starter Josh Smith received the win.

The Barons are back in action Friday night at 7:05 p.m. as Regions Field hosts Superheroes Night and Tornado Safety Awareness Night. Birmingham will wear special superhero-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game with proceeds benefiting Children's of Alabama. Comic artist Patrick Giles will be on the concourse sketching fans as their favorite comic book characters, and Regions is giving away baseballs to the first 500 children through the gates. 

To order tickets, visit Barons.com or call (205) 988-3200. For more information, visit us at www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.