Pitching Key in Barons 8-1 Victory

The Birmingham Barons (37-39) used a convincing pitching performance from Jimmy Lambert  and a pair of four-run innings to defeat the Jackson Generals (42-35), 8-1 on Friday night at Regions Field.

• By the Numbers: Lambert (W, 1-0) had a strong showing in his first start for Birmingham. He threw 6.0 innings, struck out seven, gave up just four hits, and allowed only one run to record his first quality start in his Double-A debut. 
• Quotable: "I just have to stay consistent," Lambert said. "That is pretty much what it's all about once you get to this level. I like to throw a lot of strikes to give my guys in the field a chance to make plays."
• Turning Point: The Barons broke the scoreless tie in the third inning, scoring four runs in the frame. Keon Barnum  drove a two-run home run over the center field wall his eighth homer of the season, Trey Michalewski hit a sacrifice fly scoring Joel Booker  from third, and Bryant Flete  recorded a RBI single, which plated Luis Basabe before the dust settled.
• Moments That Mattered: After three consecutive walks to lead off the eighth inning, Matt Rose came to the plate and cleared the bases with a monster of a grand slam over left field, breaking the game open with an 8-1 Barons lead. The grand slam is Rose's second of the season, giving him a share of the team lead with 11 total home runs.
• He said it: "This stadium is awesome, you hear about Birmingham and the history of the great organization that they have here, I am glad to be here." Lambert said in talking about his new team.
• Facts and Figures: With his walk in the third inning, Zack Collins  now has 67 on the season and not only leads the Double-A level in this category but all of the minor leagues. Booker also continued to have a great start to his Double-A career and has now recorded a hit in seven of his first eight games as a Baron. 

• Up Next: The Barons and the Generals will play game three of the series on Saturday night at Regions Field with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. Left-hander Bernardo Flores  (0-1, 2.57) will make the start for the Barons, while Taylor Widener (4-4, 2.81) will get the nod for the Generals. Curt Bloom will have the call on 960 WERC News Radio and the iHeart Radio app.