BIRMINGHAM, Ala -- The Birmingham Barons lost 4-3 to the Columbus Clingstones before 2,367 at Regions Field on Thursday. The Barons had the tying run at the plate but came up a run short.
Starting pitcher Jake Palisch got the no-decision, going six innings, giving up six hits, two earned runs, and no walks with three strikeouts. Morris Austin gave up one hit with three strikeouts in the seventh inning. Recent call-up Garrett Wright pitched 0.2 innings, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks with a strikeout. Liam Paddack pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with a strikeout.
Columbus (22-18, 51-53) scored two runs in the first inning. An Owen Carey RBI groundout and an Adam Zebrowski RBI single gave the Clingstones a 2-0 lead.
Birmingham (17-23, 43-66) scored in the bottom of the third inning. Caleb Bonemer hit a solo home run, his 12th of the season. The Barons trailed 2-1.
In the top of the eighth inning, Columbus scored two more runs. A Carey RBI single and a wild pitch scored Carey, and the Clingstones led 4-1.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Bonemer tripled to center field. Anthony DePino hit a ground-rule double to center field, scoring Bonemer. After a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Burrowes, Grant Magill grounded out, scoring DePino. Colby Shelton came off the bench to pinch hit in the ninth inning, but struck out to end the game.
Up next is Game 3 of the six-game series with Columbus. RHP Juan Carela (0-2, 4.80) for the Barons will face RHP Brett Sears (4-4, 3.44) for the Clingstones. First pitch is at 7:00 pm.