Homers Lead Barons Past Pensacola 2-1

With two solo home runs and an all-around strong pitching performance, the Birmingham Barons (7-9) snapped their six-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (7-9) on Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

• Turning Point: With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth, Danny Mendick got a fastball on a 3-2 pitch and crushed it just over the glove of the glove of leaping Pensacola left fielder Nick Longhi for a solo home run, his first of the season, to propel the Barons in front 2-1. Ian Hamilton (S, 3) came out of the bullpen and made that lead stand by recording his third save of the season with a clean bottom of the ninth.
• By The Numbers: Matt Tomshaw tossed his second straight quality start for Birmingham, but he did not factor in the final decision. Over 6.0 strong innings, he gave up one earned run on seven hits while walking none and striking out five. Brandon Brennan (W, 1-0) came on in relief and threw 2.0 scoreless innings to keep the game tied 1-1, and he earned the win because of Mendick's late heroics.
• Facts And Figures: The Barons were held to just two hits in the win, both of which were solo home runs. The first Birmingham hit came in the fifth off starter Daniel Wright as Seby Zavala launched his third home run of the season to left field for the first run of the night. The Blue Wahoos answered back in the bottom of the frame, then the game remained tied 1-1 until Mendick's home run in the ninth.
• Moments That Mattered: In the top of the seventh, the Barons looked to take the lead as Eloy Jiménez charged home on Matt Rose's fly ball to right. However, the throw from right fielder Aristides Aquino was perfect and catcher Garrett Boulware applied the tag to nab Jimenez at the plate, ending the inning, and Wright's start with the game tied 1-1.
• Up Next: In game two of the series on Sunday afternoon, Spencer Adams  (1-0, 4.05) is scheduled to make his fourth start of the season for Birmingham against Keury Mella (2-0, 1.06). First pitch at Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Curt Bloom will have the call on 960 WERC News Radio and the iHeart Radio app.