Garrett Baumann was equal parts electric and efficient in his nine-inning, complete-game gem to lead the Columbus Clingstones (23-20, 52-55) to a 6-2 win over the Birmingham Barons (19-24, 45-67) on Friday night at Regions Field. Baumann became the first Clingstones pitcher in history to go a full nine innings in a complete game, securing his achievement with only 96 pitches.
Decisive Plays: Jordan Groshans continued his tear at the plate with a two-run home run (22) in the first inning to hand Columbus a lead it would never relinquish. An RBI single from Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. in the fourth inning expanded the lead to 3-0. A double and an RBI triple from Caleb Bonemer got Birmingham on the board in the fourth inning, but Baumann left Bonemer at third to remain in control.
Columbus added to its lead with two more runs in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Groshans and an RBI triple from Owen Carey. Entering the ninth with a 6-2 lead, Baumann induced a game-ending double play to seal his masterpiece.
Key Contributors: Baumann (9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO) to carry Columbus on the mound. Groshans (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) homered for the second-straight game at the plate. For Birmingham, Bonemer (2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI) had the best night at the plate.
Notable: Baumann worked only the second 9.0 inning complete game in Minor League Baseball this season and the first since Class-A Charleston River Dogs' right-hander Aidan Cremerosa threw a no-hitter on May 8, 2026. Baumann issued no walks and only went to a three-ball count twice in his gem. Groshans is batting .500 (8-for-16, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1,000 SLG and 1.555 OPS across four games this series.
Next Game (Saturday, August 15): Columbus at Birmingham, 7:30 p.m. ET at Synovus Park. RHP Ian Mejia (0-8, 7.67 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by RHP Dylan Cumming (3-7, 5.28 ERA) for Birmingham. Radio Broadcast: 7:15 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.