Cotts pitched well today, but unfortunately was not perfect. He struggled a bit in the 5th inning and gave up two runs. He struck out Krynzel and JJ Hardy (two of Huntsville's top three hitters) to end the inning. He gave up a solid single, an infield hit, a ground ball between 1st and 2nd for a single in the inning. Throw in a walk and a fielder's choice that failed to get an out and you have an ugly inning. On a good note, he came back out strong in the 6th. Definitely a solid outing overall.

HUNTSVILLE (3) AT BIRMINGHAM (0)
 

 HUNTSVILLE       AB  R  H BI  BIRMINGHAM       AB  R  H BI

 C Barnwell 2B     5  0  1  0  D Sandoval 2B     3  0  1  0 

 D Krynzel CF      4  0  0  0  J Piniella LF     3  0  0  0 

 J HARDY SS        4  0  1  0  J Reed RF         4  0  1  0 

 C Hart 3B         4  0  2  0  G Alvarez 1B      4  0  0  0 

 B Gemoll 1B       3  1  0  0  S Bikowski DH     3  0  0  0 

 N Varner RF       4  2  2  0  C Maldonado C     2  0  0  0 

 B Nelson LF       4  0  0  1  T Nicholson 2B    4  0  1  0 

 K Johnson C       4  0  1  1  G Reyes SS        1  0  0  0 

 A Machado DH      4  0  2  1  J Hamilton PH     1  0  1  0 

                               J Shaffer 3B      1  0  1  0 

                               C Durham CF       2  0  1  0 

                               S Morales PH      1  0  0  0 

 TOTALS           36  3  9  3  TOTALS           29  0  6  0
 

 HUNTSVILLE                000 020 001 --  3

 BIRMINGHAM                000 000 000 --  0
 

 DP--HUNTSVILLE 2. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 7, BIRMINGHAM 

 9. 2B--J Hamilton, T Nicholson, J Reed, K Johnson,

 C Hart. SB--G Reyes 1 (1), A Machado 1 (1). CS--C 

 Durham. S--J Piniella.

                                   IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR

  HUNTSVILLE

 P Liriano (W,1-0)                  5   3   0   0   4   4   0

 M Adams (S,2)                      4   3   0   0   1   2   0

  BIRMINGHAM

 N Cotts (L,0-1)                    6   5   2   2   1  10   0

 J Bullard                          1   0   0   0   0   0   0

 M Smith                            1   1   0   0   0   0   0

 M Wylie                            1   3   1   1   0   0   0
 

 HBP--C Maldonado by P Liriano. SO--HUN: D Krynzel

 3, K Johnson 2, B Nelson 2, J HARDY 2, C Barnwell.

 BIR: J Piniella 2, T Nicholson, G Alvarez, C 

 Durham, J Reed. BB--HUN: B Gemoll. BIR: G Reyes, S

 Bikowski, C Maldonado, D Sandoval, C Durham. 

 T--2:35. A--1,370.

its a shame they lost but that is what happens when you don't score hopefully they can pick up and win the series

its a shame they lost but that is what happens when you don't score hopefully they can pick up and win the series

The Barons have not scored for Cotts all year......

Rex,

 

is Ryan Hankins a legit prospect? A guy that no doubt will make it to the majors?

Not a no doubter, but he can play 1B, 3B, and even a little 2B, and he is going to catch fulltime in Fall League, so I think he makes it as a backup. Maybe not next year, but the year after I bet. He seems to be a ballplayer, maybe not most talented, but plays the game right and gets important hits.

Rex,

 

is Ryan Hankins a legit prospect? A guy that no doubt will make it to the majors?

No, he is marginal..... great clubhouse guy, clutch hitter, hard worker, good overall hitter..... just doesn't have the power a corner infielder should have..... and he is not big, so that doesn't help.....

 

he has a chance, but it is an otside one..... the Sox org likes him, however

Another good outing by Bullard.

When is the deciding game?

When is the deciding game?

Today, Barons lost 2-1.

Today, Barons lost 2-1.

Damn that is too bad. Well Kudos to Bull, Neal and all of the guys on an incredible season. We look forward to seeing you guys in Chicago someday, good luck to all of you, and congratulations on a miracle season!