Monday, August 15, 2005

L 1-0, L 5-4

Birmingham, AL --- In a potential preview of the Southern League championship series, the Birmingham Barons swept a doubleheader from the Carolina Mudcats 1-0 and 5-4 at Hoover Met on Monday night.

With both the Mudcats and Barons leading their respective divisions by 4 and 2 1/2 games respectively, the Barons used a bunt single to produce the opener's only run, then three unearned runs in the fifth of game two to complete the sweep.

Luke Lockwood (L, 2-6) earned a complete-game loss in the first, but saw the only run score on a two-out bunt single by Barons catcher Chris Stewart.  Lockwood walked Ryan Sweeney with two outs, then overthrew first base on a pickoff attempt, sending Sweeney to third.  Stewart bunted the next pitch for a single down the third base line.

Lockwood allowed the one unearned run on just four hits, striking out four.

In the nightcap, Carolina assumed a 3-0 lead into the fourth inning on a two-run double by Robert Andino and a solo homer by JC Muniz, only to witness the Barons rush back for the win.

Birmingham, trailing 4-2 in the fifth, scored three runs - all unearned - after a long, running catch attempt by centerfielder Reggie Abercrombie.  With two runners on and two outs, Abercrombie mishandled and dropped the drive from Casey Rogowski, allowing the tying runs to score, then a wild pitch from Clint Sodowsky brought in the winning run.

Andy Torres made his Mudcats debut, pitching 4 2/3 innings on four hits. 

The Mudcats continue their road trip Tuesday night with Adam Bostick starting against Sean Tracey at 8:00 PM ET.