The Columbus Clingstones (21-19, 50-54) could not hold a late lead and suffered a tough walk-off 3-2 loss to the Birmingham Barons (18-22, 44-65) on Tuesday night at Regions Field.
Decisive Plays: Columbus took the first lead after a stolen base from Eric Hartman led to an RBI groundout from Carson Taylor in the first inning. Columbus starter Braden Scott twirled 5.0 no-hit innings to keep Columbus ahead. A two-out RBI double from Jordan Groshans in the sixth inning pushed Columbus in front 2-0. Birmingham answered back with an RBI single from Colby Shelton to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Blane Abeyta stranded runners at third base in the seventh and eighth innings, Tyler LaPorte came in for the save chance.
Samuel Zavala reached on a fielding error from John Gil to begin the ninth and a wild pitch from LaPorte scored the tying run. Columbus did not score in the top of the 10th inning and Birmingham took advantage with a walk-off single from Ryan Burrowes off LaPorte in the home half.
Key Contributors: Scott (5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 SO) was untouchable on the mound while Taylor (0-for-4, RBI) and Groshans (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) led Columbus on offense. For Birmingham, Shelton (1-for-2, RBI) got the Barons on the board and Burrowes (1-for-4, RBI) walked off Columbus.
Notable: Columbus falls to 0-4 in extra-inning games in the second half. LaPorte blew only his second save of the season. Columbus saw its five-game win streak snapped.
Next Game (Wednesday, August 12): Columbus at Birmingham, 8:00 p.m. ET at Synovus Park. LHP Cam Caminiti (0-0, 3.38 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by LHP Jake Palisch (3-8, 5.49 ERA) for Birmingham. Radio Broadcast: 7:45 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.