Birmingham Barons Rout West Tenn Diamond Jaxx 7-2 - AA, Southern League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Birmingham, Ala. -- The Birmingham Barons used a four-run fourth inning to overcome a 2-0 deficit and cruise to a 7-2 victory over the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx Saturday night at Regions Park. Birmingham remains in first place in the Southern League's South Division, while West Tenn still sits in second place in the North.

Birmingham starter Clayton Richard (3-5) struggled in the first, allowing two runs on four hits and putting the Barons (19-17) in an early hole. However, he allowed just one hit over the next three innings and ended up earning the win in a six-inning outing.

West Tenn starter Doug Fister (4-2) allowed just two hits over the first three innings but was roughed up in the fourth. David Cook led off the frame with a solo home run, his sixth of the year and fifth in the month of May. Micah Schnurstein later added a two-run double to give the Barons a 3-2 edge, and he later scored on a two-out error. Birmingham tacked on another run in the fifth on a Javier Castillo RBI single to make it a 5-2 game. Miguel Negron chipped in with a two-run single in the sixth to make it a 7-2 score.

It was a sloppy game for West Tenn (23-13), which committed three errors and whose pitching staff walked seven batters. Birmingham played error-free ball and the four pitchers used by the Barons allowed just three combined hits after the first frame.

The two teams will square off again Sunday afternoon at 2:05 pm. Right-hander Kyle McCulloch (1-4, 5.06) will start for Birmingham, and he will be opposed by right-hander Rich Dorman (4-1, 2.13).

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