HOOVER, Ala.—The box score would indicate a pitching duel reminiscent of the night before. But what really transpired Friday night at Regions Park was a pair of back-to-back-to-back missed opportunities by the Barons, followed by a battle within of who could care less. And a visiting club that was happy to mow over an uninspired home team.
The Jacksonville Suns punched in a pair of runs in their half of the fifth, then toyed with the Barons' bullpen in the latter innings to claim an 8-1 Game two win in the best-of-five Southern League South Division Championship Series. Leadoff hitter Bryan Peterson went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles to lead Jacksonville, which carries a 2-0 series lead back home today.
The Barons and Suns each left 10 men stranded over the course of the game, but Birmingham, now winless in five straight playoff games to Jacksonville dating back to 2005, left seven of those base runners hanging by the end of the third inning.
Jacksonville left-hander Graham Taylor (8-7 during the regular season) wasn't flawless, but effectively worked his way out of jams to get the win. The southpaw, like Barons starter John Ely an alumnus of Miami (Ohio), surrendered just one run despite allowing eight hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Despite a hiccup in the top of the fifth when the Suns struck first blood, Barons righty Matt Zaleski kept the game in reach through six frames, giving up just a pair of runs and striking out three.
Catcher Jared Price finished 1-for-3 and drove in the lone run for the Barons, a single up the middle in the sixth that scored speedy left fielder John Shelby III.
Like last season, Birmingham again finds itself in an 0-2 hole with the task of taking three straight on the road to in order to claim the series. Matt Long (6-3, 2.98) will start tonight for the Barons against the Suns' Brad Stone (6-3, 2.23). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. EST.
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