BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham starting right-hander Jake Eder fired 6.1 shutout innings as the Barons defeated the Trash Pandas at Regions Field Friday evening by the final of 5-0. It was the second time this series, and the sixth time this season, Rocket City has been shut out.
The Barons started fast with three runs in the first as Rocket City starter Victor Mederos struggled. The right-hander allowed a single to rightfielder Terrel Tatum to start the inning. After Tatum stole second, Mederos struck out second baseman Jacob Gonzalez on a ball in the dirt. Trash Panda catcher Myles Emmerson tried to get the out at first, however his throw glanced off the glove of first-baseman Sam Brown and down the rightfield line. Tatum scored from second on the play while Emmerson was hit with an error.
Later in the inning, the Barons would load the bases before first baseman Tim Elko lofted a sacrifice fly to left. Centerfielder Jacob Burke rifled a single into center two batters later to plate the third and final run of the inning.
Birmingham added two runs in the second on a two-run single from catcher Edgar Quero for the final margin.
Rocket City mustered only three singles and six baserunners for the game. Only two of the six reached scoring position.
Eder (W, 2) was dominant as he allowed all three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. Mederos (L, 3) took the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits over five innings with four walks, five strikeouts and three hit batsmen.
Nobody had more than one hit for Rocket City. The Barons, meanwhile, finished with seven base knocks. Burke finished 2-4 with a double and RBI. Shortstop Brooks Baldwin chipped in by going 2-4 with two singles and a run.
The Trash Pandas and Barons will meet again Saturday night with first pitch slated for 6:30 p.m.
