Marrero Sparks Rally, Barons Top Generals 3-2

JACKSON, Tenn. - The Barons (45-39, 12-3) used a two-run rally in the eighth inning to take a 3-2 win over the Generals (35-49, 6-10) in Jackson, Tenn., Saturday night.  

Birmingham moved 4.0 games ahead of second-place Montgomery in the Southern League's second half standings, and claimed its fifth consecutive series of the season. It's the fourth series win of the second half.

Trailing 2-1 going into the eighth inning, a walk issued to Tim Anderson by Grady Wood led off the frame. The speedster took second on a passed ball, and Courtney Hawkins boarded with a single. With runners on the corners, Christian Marrero lined a double into right to put Birmingham up 3-2.

Barons starter Mark Blackmar dealt six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits through five innings, but left the contest trailing by one. Reliever Devon Davis (2-1, 3.14 ERA) picked up the win, tossing two scoreless, two-hit innings, and right-hander Zack Isler closed out the final two innings to earn his third save.

Marrero finished the evening 2-for-4 with two runs driven in. The outfielder is batting .273 in his last 10 games, going 9-for-33 since July 3.  

It was the 22nd one-run victory of the year for Birmingham, and the Barons improved to 35-3 when scoring first. Their record against Jackson also improved to 9-4. Birmingham is 6-2 at the Ballpark in Jackson in 2015.

ON DECK
The fourth game of the series is set for 6:05 p.m. Sunday night. The Barons send right-hander Tony Bucciferro (0-6, 6.46 ERA) to the mound, and the Generals will throw Moises Hernandez (3-4, 4.54 ERA) - the older brother of Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.  

TICKET BOOTH
Tickets to Saturday's game are all gone, but plenty of seats remain for the rest of the five-game home stand. 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.