BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The Barons committed four errors in the decisive fifth inning to allow the Mississippi Braves to score seven runs on just two hits along with four walks and cruise to a 10-4 win in game one of a five game series at Regions Field in Birmingham.Mississippi (12-14) got
BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The Barons committed four errors in the decisive fifth inning to allow the Mississippi Braves to score seven runs on just two hits along with four walks and cruise to a 10-4 win in game one of a five game series at Regions Field in Birmingham.
Mississippi (12-14) got on the board first in the top of the second with back-to-back singles from Carlos Franco and Joey Meneses then a four-pitch walk to Keith Curcio. After a Dylan Moore strikeout, Connor Lein hit an RBI-single to left. Kade Scivicque followed that with another single to right, scoring Meneses and Curcio to give the Braves a 3-0 lead after two innings.
Brett Austin led off the third for Birmingham (10-16) with a double then advanced to third on the sacrifice bunt by Cleuluis Rondon. Eddy Alvarez grounded out to second, scoring Austin from third. Jake Peter followed with a high fly ball to left field, just clearing the yellow line for a solo home run to make it a one-run game after three innings.
The Mississippi Braves, thanks to four Barons errors, blew the game wide open with seven unearned runs in the fifth. Travis Demeritte and Franco drew back-to-back walks. On a fly ball to shallow right field by Meneses, Mason Robbins missed the catch for the first error of the inning, then threw wide of second base for the second error on the same play. Demeritte scored with Franco and Meneses advancing to third and second, respectively.
Curcio drew the intentional walk to load the bases with one out. Lien then picked up a two-out walk, scoring Franco. Scivicque singled to center, driving home Meneses and Curcio. Lien also scored on a throwing error by the center fielder which allowed Scivicque to take third, giving the Braves an 8-2 lead. Jared James then reached on a throwing error by the second baseman, scoring Scivicque. James later scored on a Valenzuela double to extend the M-Braves lead to 10-2.
That was more than enough for starting pitcher, Patrick Weigel (2-0) who pitched six innings, giving up two runs (both earned) on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts in the win. Danny Reynolds pitched two perfect innings in relief, striking out three batters. Philip Pfeifer came on in the ninth and gave up a two-out walk and a home run to Brett Austin to make the final score 10-4.
Thursday night, Mississippi sends Kolby Allard (1-1, 1.67) to the mound and Birmingham counters with hard thrower, Michael Kopech (1-1, 2.50). Game two of the five game series begins at 7:05 PM.
Mississippi (12-14) 10R 9H 1E
Birmingham (10-16) 4R 6H 6E
Win: Patrick Weigel (2-0, 2.78)
Loss: Matt Cooper (1-1, 3.33)
Attendance: 4,261
Time: 2:49
