Despite an explosive three-run second inning that included a solo home run from White Sox No. 6 prospect Micker Adolfo, the Birmingham Barons fell short against the Montgomery Biscuits at home for the third night in a row, this time by a score of 6-4. The Barons’ three game losing streak is their longest of the season and they have been outscored 27-10 across this stretch.
The Barons dug themselves a hole in the first, allowing three runs and three hits in the frame. Trailing 3-0, the Barons were looking for a spark.
Adolfo stepped to the plate versus Biscuits right-hander Caleb Sampen and launched a home run to put the Barons on the board in the second, giving the offense a jolt it needed. Minutes later, second baseman JJ Muno would hit a two-run shot to tie it at three. The home run was Muno’s first since 2019.
Although the Barons’ offense built momentum, Montgomery immediately answered back in the top of the third inning, as three more Biscuits recorded hits, that resulted in two runs.
Muno later singled home his third RBI of the contest in the fourth to cut the deficit to 5-4, but that would be Birmingham’s final run of the evening. A solo home run in the sixth inning from Biscuits left fielder Garrett Whitey put this one out of reach for the Barons.
Making his third start of the year, Barons pitcher John Parke recorded six strikeouts through five innings. He allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and walked two.
Barons right-hander Peter Tago struck out two batters across the sixth and seventh innings, and left-hander Zach Muckenhirn struck out two more batters in the final two innings of the game. The two pitchers allowed just one earned run combined.
The pitching staff kept Birmingham in the ballgame throughout. However, for the second consecutive night, Birmingham’s offense couldn’t capitalize when given the opportunities.
In the fourth inning with Ti-Quan Forbes and Muno on second and third base, left fielder Zack Granite struck out to end the inning. A similar scenario unfolded in the sixth, as Granite grounded out to end the inning leaving two runners on base.
Following an embarrassing 16-4 loss to Montgomery on Wednesday, the Barons have shown signs of a return to form in their previous two games. On Thursday, the Barons finished with 11 hits to the Biscuits’ 12, and on Friday, both teams recorded seven hits.
Birmingham’s pitchers also deserve credit, as the trio of Parke/Tago/Muckenhirn struck out seven batters in the final six innings, allowing only one hit in the process.
Shortstop Romy Gonzalez returned to the lineup Friday night after leaving a game on May 14 due to being hit on the hand. Gonzalez entered the contest slashing .438/.526/.938 (1.464 OPS) in 32 at-bats. He finished the evening 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Adolfo, meanwhile, is riding a five-game hitting streak and has a knock in eight of his 13 games this year. The 24-year-old’s batting average has improved from .133 to .255 across the five-game span and boasts five home runs in 51 double-A at-bats this year.
With the loss, the Barons fall to 10-6. They look to bounce back on Saturday at 6:30p CT for another tilt against the Biscuits.
Photo credit: Clinton Cole/FutureSox
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