Barons Drop Pitcher's Duel To M-Braves, 1-0

One swing seven pitches into the game was enough to sink the Birmingham Barons (41-44) in a 1-0 loss to the Mississippi Braves (37-50) on Sunday night at Regions Field. The loss marks the third time the Barons have been shutout in the second half.

• Turning Point: The M-Braves were quick to take the lead as the second batter of the game, Tyler Neslony, hit a solo home run to right, his first of the season, to give Mississippi the 1-0 lead. That would prove to be all of the offense from either side on the night.
• Moments That Mattered: Looking to even the score, the Barons got a leadoff single from Alfredo Gonzalez in the sixth against Mississippi starter Bryse Wilson (W, 2-5). Jameson Fisher then bunted Gonzalez to second to give the Barons a runner in scoring position. But Gonzalez would advance no further as Luis Basabe flew out and Danny Mendick grounded out to end the inning.
• By The Numbers: The Barons managed only four hits, all singles, on the night. Mendick and Gonzalez were the only Barons to reach base twice as Mendick singled and was hit by a pitch while Gonzalez singled and walked. The shutout marks the ninth game in a row the Barons have scored three or fewer runs.
• Facts And Figures: On the mound, Alec Hansen (L, 0-4) was strong in his best outing of the season for Birmingham. The right-hander gave up only one run on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Despite throwing his first quality start of 2018, it wasn't enough as Wilson threw 6.1 scoreless innings to earn the win for the M-Braves. In relief, Ryan Burr and José Ruiz combined to toss 3.0 scoreless innings, but the Barons' offense couldn't rally late.
• Up Next: The two sides continue the series with a 7:05 p.m. matchup on Monday night. Jimmy Lambert (1-1, 7.00) is set to start for the Barons against the Mississippi's Ricardo Sánchez (1-2, 5.40). Curt Bloom will have the call on 960 WERC News Radio and the iHeart Radio app.