Barons Bested by M-Braves, 11-6

Birmingham suffers second straight loss to Mississippi

Luis Basabe paced the Barons at the plate on Sunday with three hits, scoring one run and plating another.

By John McClung

July 29, 2018

The Birmingham Barons (53-52) played from behind the eight ball all night, fighting back early but losing control midway through in the second of five games against the Mississippi Braves (48-58), falling 11-6 at Trustmark Park on Sunday. Moments That Mattered: After the M-Braves jumped out to an early 4-0 lead

Moments That Mattered: After the M-Braves jumped out to an early 4-0 lead through the first two innings, the Barons battled back, erasing the Mississippi lead with four runs in the top of the third. Luis Basabe started off the rally, driving in Bryant Flete on his second single of the night. Zack Collins and Trey Michalczewski rapped out back-to-back doubles to drive three more runs around, leveling the contest at 4-4.
Turning Point: Mississippi immediately answered with a four-run frame of their own in the bottom half of the third, bringing the bulk of the runs around early on a one-out, three-run homer off the bat of Ray-Patrick Didder. Three consecutive singles following Didder's homer loaded the bases, allowing Travis Demeritte to walk in a run as the M-Braves seized the lead for good.
By the Numbers: Basabe picked up where he left off after his 15-game hitting streak was snapped on Saturday, finishing with three hits and an RBI to pace the Barons at the plate. Michalczewski added two RBI on the night for 54 RBI on the season. As for the M-Braves, Didder finished a double shy of the cycle at the vanguard of the Mississippi assault, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored.

Facts and Figures: The lengthy 17-run affair saw both sides combine for 17 walks and 18 hits, working through nine different pitchers. After turning to the bullpen early, the Barons called on Flete to toe the rubber in the eighth - the first position player to take the mound for Birmingham this season. Flete threw one complete, hitless frame with one walk and a strikeout.
Up Next: The Barons and M-Braves continue in the series on Monday night with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. The highly anticipated pitching matchup will see right-hander Dylan Cease (2-0, 2.83) face off against Kyle Wright (6-8, 3.70). Curt Bloom will have the call on 960 WERC News Radio and the iHeart Radio app.