Record
3-3 (September 10-15)
72-66 (overall, 4th place of 8)
31-38 (second half, 6th place of 8)

The Birmingham Barons closed out the season with a six-game set against the Tennessee Smokies, splitting the series, 3-3. Both teams essentially traded wins back-and-forth throughout the week, with each team recording a shutout in the last two games.

The Barons certainly did not coast as easily throughout the second half, as the majority of their top players continued to flow up into Charlotte, and some even into the big leagues. They will move right into the playoffs beginning Tuesday, September 17 in a best-of-three rematch against, ironically enough, these same Smokies. If the Barons can keep their bats going from game to game to provide the run support for their pitchers, they should be able to eke out a win in a competitive series.

September 10: Tennessee Smokies 5, Birmingham Barons 3
Garrett Schoenle got the start for the Barons, pitching through four two-hit, scoreless innings, walking one and striking out three. The Smokies were mostly flat until Chase Plymell (2 IP, H, HR, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K) gave up a two-run shot in the fifth to score the first runs of the game.

The good news is that Birmingham bounced right back in the top of the sixth, taking a 3-2 lead after an RBI-double from Wilfred Veras and a two-run single from DJ Gladney. That was also Gladney’s second hit of the day — the exact production you like to see from a DH.

The Smokies took the lead back in the bottom of the eighth, driving in the two game-winning runs off of Peyton Pallette (2 IP, 2 H, 3 R/2 ER, 2 K, LOSS), who would take the loss. The final run of the game scored on a wild pitch, and Birmingham wasn’t able to get any back in the ninth.

Game MVPs
Garrett Schoenle (SP) 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
DJ Gladney (DH) 2-for-3, 2 RBI

September 11: Birmingham Barons 14, Tennessee Smokies 2
The Birmingham offense exploded on Wednesday, out-hitting the Smokies 18-5, including six extra base hits and a three-RBI day each from Mario Camilletti and Michael Turner, and a monstrous 5-for-6 performance from Wilfred Veras, who also drove in two and scored three times.

Juan Carela thankfully had run support for his entire outing, and the eight run cushion heading into the bottom of the fourth made Tennessee’s four walks and two runs hurt much less.

The bullpen was lights-out for the rest of the game, with Jake Palisch and Drew Dalquist combining for four scoreless, two walks, and two strikeouts.

Game MVPs
Juan Carela (SP) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 5 K, WIN
Wilfred Veras (RF) 5-for-6, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, K
Mario Camilletti (DH) 3-for-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB

September 12: Tennessee Smokies 5, Birmingham Barons 2
The Barons seemed to use up all of their hits in Wednesday’s game, as they were only able to get four on Thursday. Ironically, they out-hit Tennessee, 4-3, but the Smokies pitching was better and made the difference in the game.

Tyler Schweitzer had a rough five innings. He hit and walked (his first of four) a batter in the first, which led to a three-run homer, and allowed two more in the bottom of the fourth — including one scoring on a wild pitch. Interestingly enough, Schweitzer still struck out eight batters. If he can work on that control, there’s definitely bright things again for Schweitzer.

Wilfred Veras and DJ Gladney accounted for the only Barons RBIs, and outside of Nick Podkul’s two hits, the bats were otherwise not found. The bullpen was strong for the last three innings, but Birmingham couldn’t score to back it up.

Game MVP
Bullpen (Gil Luna, Eric Adler, Zach Franklin) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K

September 13: Birmingham Barons 4, Tennessee Smokies 3
The Barons were able to come back and tie the series at two games apiece, with Riley Gowens paving the way with an excellent five inning start. He gave up just two hits and one walk, and struck out six Smokies while earning the win.

In a turn of events from the night before, the offense was able to do their part, scoring four runs in the first three innings. DJ Gladney (1-for-3, R, RBI, SF, 2 K) drove in one in the first on a sac fly, but it was Michael Turner that was the offensive hero on Friday — driving in three runs on a bases-clearing double in the top of the third to add some much-needed insurance runs.

The bullpen wasn’t as strong, however. Max Roberts came in for two innings after Gowens, and unfortunately up a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh for Tennessee to cut the score in half, 4-2. Jordan Mikel recovered with a hitless eighth, but Caleb Freeman struggled big time in the ninth, nearly giving the game away after an RBI-double brought the Smokies within one. Freeman walked one more batter before Eric Adler came in to get the final out and the save. Whew!

Game MVPs
Michael Turner (1B) 1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, K
Riley Gowens (SP) 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K

September 14: Birmingham Barons 4, Tennessee Smokies 3
As the Barons and the Smokies continue to trade wins back-and-forth, Tennessee would take the fifth game of the series, shutting out Birmingham, 2-0. Noah Schultz went for four innings and was fairly effective, giving up just one run on eight hits while striking out six, although he would end up with the loss.

No walks and six strikeouts across four innings to close out the regular season for Noah Schultz 😤

MLB’s top LHP prospect (@WhiteSox) has 115 K’s in 88 1/3 IP — including a 10.8 K/9 for the Double-A @BhamBarons: pic.twitter.com/7XJZQPxfaW

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 15, 2024

Out of the bullpen, Peyton Pallette (1 IP, H, R, 3 BB, K) struggled to keep runners off the bases, even walking in the second run for the Smokies. Jake Palisch and Zach Franklin were solid for the final three innings, but the offense couldn’t buy a run.

There were no extra base hits for Birmingham, with just four singles and a few walks sprinkled throughout the game. They went 1-for-4 with RISP, and left eight on base as a team, so the loss certainly wasn’t for a lack of opportunity.

Game MVP
Noah Schultz (SP) 4 IP, 8 H, R, 0 BB, 6 K

September 15: Birmingham Barons 5, Tennessee Smokies 0
Once again the Barons and Smokies traded places, with Birmingham shutting out Tennessee to take the regular season finales while tying the series at three. Garrett Schoenle made his second start of the week, and served as more of an opener this time around. He was incredibly impressive in his three innings, striking out EIGHT of the nine outs he recorded, giving up just two hits.

Chase Plymell didn’t strike out as many batters in his three innings, but he was just as efficient, giving up just one hit, two walks, and striking out two while earning the win. Jordan Mikel and Gil Luna held down the bullpen and did not allow a hit in the final three innings to contribute to the shutout.

It as a different story this time around for the offense, as they put up 15 hits as a team, and DJ Gladney put on a show with two home runs to drive in three of the five Birmingham runs.

Game MVPs
Garrett Schoenle (LHSP) 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
Chase Plymell (RHRP) 3 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, WIN
DJ Gladney (DH) 2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB

Seven-Day Hitting

Seven-Day Pitching

Garrett Schoenle photo by Tiffany Wintz/Sox Populi.