Barons walk-off single snaps Smokies winning streak

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  – The Birmingham Barons (28-30, 72-56) snapped a four-game losing streak to the Tennessee Smokies (35-22, 69-57) with a 2-1 walk off victory at Regions Field Tuesday night.

Knotted at one in the bottom of the ninth, Armando Rivero (0-1, 2.70) went to the hill for his second inning of work. Outfielder Brandon Jacobs lined a single to center to begin the frame. A sacrifice bunt moved Jacobs to second base with one out. After an intentional walk, pinch-hitter Dan Wagner grounded a ball into right field to score Jacobs and give the Barons their first win of the series.

The two clubs combined for just three hits through the first four and a half innings. Barons’ outfielder Keenyn Walker started a rally in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff double to right center. Tommy Manzella followed with a frozen rope single to right putting runners at the corners for Jared Mitchell. Catcher Taylor Davis airmailed a throw to second as Manzella was trying to steal second that allowed Walker to score the game’s first run.

Tennessee responded immediately in the top of the sixth inning. Back-to-back doubles from Matt Szczur and Arismendy Alcantara tied the score at one on the 32^nd two-bagger of the season from Alcantara.

Smokies’ starter Nick Struck went 5.2 innings allowing an unearned run on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in his third start for the Smokies this season.

John Andreoli extended his hitting streak to eight games with a bunt single in the seventh inning. Jonathan Mota singled in the second inning to boost his hitting streak to a season-best nine games.

The Barons and the Smokies will tangle again Wednesday evening at 8:05 p.m. from Regions Field in Birmingham. Buddy Bailey will turn to the reigning Cubs’ Minor League pitcher of the month, Matt Loosen (1-3, 7.66), to oppose Birmingham lefty Spencer Arroyo (8-6, 3.30).

AUDIO RECAP  BARONS  2  Smokies  1

To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page. Michael Wottreng is a Broadcast and Multimedia Assistant for the Smokies Radio Network. You can follow Michael on Twitter here: @MWottreng