The Barons opened the home portion of the season's second half on Sunday with the same result they had through much of the first half's home schedule. The team from Magic City moved to 26-9 overall at Regions Park with a 7-1 win against Mobile.
Charlie Shirek (2-1, 2.45) lowered his ERA by tossing seven-strong innings of one-run baseball. In just his fourth start since being promoted from Winston-Salem, the Carolina League All-Star gave up eight hits while striking out two batters and walking just one.
Tyler Flowers got the Barons on the board early by hitting his 11th home run of the season, a solo shot in the first inning of BayBears starter Wes Roemer (3-5, 3.77).
The Barons pounded out 13 hits on a night when their three-though-six hitters went a combined 8-for-16, including two doubles from Dayan Viciedo.
John Shelby had a big night at the leadoff spot, knocking a run-scoring double and a run-scoring triple in his three at-bats. He also walked twice and added his team-best 10th stolen base of the season.
The same two teams will play game two of their six-game set on Monday with a 7:05 PM start time. Justin Cassel will make his first start for the Barons in 2009 after rejoining the team during the Mississippi trip.
Cassel - the younger brother of Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback, Matt Cassel - led the Southern League in ERA in 2008. Jarrod Parker - who was recently named to the United States team for the MLB Futures Game - will get the start for Mobile.
Notes:
Tyler Flowers hit his 11th home run for the second-straight night. The reason is due to last night's game being suspended. The stats for that game will not be counted until the game is completed. At that point, tonight's home run will count as Flowers' 12th home run.
