Alabama tied the record for its biggest loss to Auburn on Friday night. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide baseball team failed to respond, and in the process set another dubious mark.
Alabama dropped Game 2 of its three-game series with Auburn, 5-0, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
It’s the first time since 2004 the Crimson Tide has lost to the Tigers in a series at home. Auburn clinched the series after beating Alabama in Game 1 on Friday, 19-5. Prior to this week, the Crimson Tide had won the last six consecutive three-game series against the Tigers.
Auburn freshman Tanner Burns (3-4), the state’s 2017 high school Mr. Baseball, kept Alabama’s offense off balance all night. He struck out seven batters, gave up just four hits and walked one in seven innings.
The Tigers retired the first three Crimson Tide batters through the first three innings. Chandler Avant gave Alabama its first base runner in the fourth on a two-out base hit. Chandler Taylor followed with a double down the left-field line, but Burns struck out Hunter Alexander looking to end the threat.
Alabama stranded eight runners. The Crimson Tide loaded the bases in the eighth inning with two outs after Cobie Vance singled to center field, Joe Breaux doubled down the left-field line and Avant walked. However, Auburn worked its way out of the jam to secure the shutout.
Vance led Alabama’s offense, going 2-for-4, including a a double in the sixth.
Auburn scattered nine hits. Both Steven Williams and Brett Wright went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Wright walked with the bases loaded to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the third. Edouard Julien also walked in a run for Auburn in the seventh inning, making it 4-0.
Alabama’s Jake Walters (2-5) picked up the loss in six innings pitched. He gave up five hits, struck out seven and walked two.
Alabama hosts Troy on Tuesday and travel to Arkansas for a three-game series on Friday.
Reach Joey Chandler at joey.chandler@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.
