Bassitt Baffles Smokies In 4-2 Win

The Birmingham Barons picked up a win in their series finale against the Tennessee Smokies Thursday by a score of 4-2 in front of 7,572 fans at Regions Field.

Barons' starter Chris Bassitt (4-2, 2.11) was dominant for much of the night, striking out nine and allowing just four hits and two runs in 7.0 IP. The Smokies would take a brief 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI double by Arismendy Alcantara. The Barons avoided further damage when Brett Jackson was thrown out at home by Keenyn Walker attempting to score from first base on the hit.

The Barons would grab the lead for good an inning later on a towering three-run home run by Dan Black, his 15th long ball of the season, giving the Barons a 3-1 lead.

The lead would grow to 4-1 in the sixth when the Barons loaded the bases against starter Eric Jokisch (10-12, 3.50). The run would score on a swinging bunt by Brandon Jacobs that Jokisch fielded in front of the mound but his flip to the plate pulled catcher Rafael Lopez off the bag allowing Dan Wagner to score from third.

Cody Winiarski retired the final six Smokies in order, including two via strikeout, for his first save at the Double-A level as the Barons improved to 73-57 and 29-31 in the second half while the Smokies fell to 70-58 and 36-23 in the second half.

The Barons will head on the road for their final road trip of the season starting tomorrow in Pensacola against the Blue Wahoos. In game one, the Barons will send LHP Scott Snodgress (11-9, 4.44) to the mount against RHP Carlos Contreras (2-2, 2.81). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM CDT.