Monday, June 9, 2008
For Immediate
Release |
Contact: Jim Tocco
(334)
323-0363 |
Barons clinch with 4-3 win over Biscuits
Birmingham's contentious, extra-innings win seals South Division
|
HOOVER – Robbie Hudson scored in the 10th inning Monday night at Regions Park on a David Cook sacrifice fly and jumped into the arms of waiting teammates. His Birmingham Barons had defeated the Montgomery Biscuits, 4-3, and guaranteed themselves a first-half championship in the Southern League's South Division.
It was the culmination of a contentious rubber game in the five-game series, and Barons manager Carlos Subero, pitching coach J.R. Perdew, pitcher Derek Rodriguez and third baseman Javier Castillo could not join the on-field celebration because they had been ejected from the game.
The arguments stemmed from balls and strikes called by homeplate umpire Chris Ward. Subero and Perdew got the gate in the fifth inning as Birmingham starter Carlos Torres walked two and allowed one run on a Rashad Eldridge single. Rodriguez was thumbed on his way off the mound after allowing an eighth-inning double by Gaby Martinez and walking a pair. Castillo was run in the same inning as Josh Asanovich walked to score the game-tying run.
The runs got Biscuits' spot starter Jino Gonzalez off the hook. The lefty was forced into duty with an injury to scheduled starter Richard De Los Santos and lasted five innings allowing a run in the first inning and one in the third. Gonzalez walked two and struck out three.
The Barons made it 3-1 against reliever Jason Cromer in the sixth inning after a walk, a balk and a two-out single by Noah Hall.
The winner came against Montgomery's Colter Bean in the 10th. The Birmingham native allowed a leadoff double by Robbie Hudson before plunking Ricardo Nanita. Victor Mercedes followed with a single to right off of Sergio Pedroza's glove, setting up Cook's bases-loaded, walk-off sacrifice fly. It was Cook's third RBI of the game.
The Barons, up seven games with five to go in the first half, are the mathematical champions.
The Biscuits take Tuesday off before beginning a series against the Mobile BayBears at Riverwalk Stadium on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.
Content
