Auburn falls flat in doubleheader sweep

AUBURN | Alabama came into Saturday’s doubleheader at No. 4 Auburn with two conference wins. The Tide left with two more.

Alabama beat Auburn 4-3 in game one and 7-6 in game two for the sweep and its first series win since March 12. The Tide came into the series with 13-straight conference losses and a 1-8 SEC road record.

The Tigers fall to 32-16 overall and 14-9 in the SEC while Alabama improves to 17-29 and 4-19.

“We’ve played the game so loose and so free this year, I thought we looked like the most hesitant team today,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “I thought Alabama was much looser and free and nothing to lose style play of game. That seemed to be our calling card … and I thought that was a reversal today.

“I told our guys that nothing should change and you can’t get anything back today and tomorrow’s game is huge.”

Auburn committed five errors in the two games that led to five unearned runs and left a total of 19 runners on base.

Alabama won game one behind two Chandler Taylor solo home runs and two unearned runs. The Tigers committed two errors, hit into three double plays and left eight runners on base.

Auburn starter Keegan Thompson (5-3) allowed four runs, two earned, in 8.0 innings. He struck out two, walked three and threw 104 pitches.

In game two, the Tide roughed up Andrew Mitchell (5-2) for four runs, two earned, in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. Casey Mize, in his first start since April 13, allowed three runs, two earned, in 6.0 innings. He struck out four and didn’t issue a walk.

Dylan Ingram and Josh Anthony both hit sole home runs in the nightcap. Auburn scored a run in the ninth and had runners on the corners with two outs, but Alabama closer Davis Vainer struck out Blake Logan to earn his second save of the day and fifth of the season.

Auburn had 15 hits in game two but left 11 runners on base.

Auburn will try to avoid a sweep Sunday at 5 p.m. on the SEC Network.

GAME NOTES

** Alabama has won six-straight series over Auburn.

** Auburn has now won 10-of-12 series this season and falls to 11-5 in one-run games. Alabama improves to 5-12 in one-run games.

** Jonah Todd extended his hitting streak to 15 games with an infield single in the second inning of game one and a single in the first inning of game two.

** Auburn has 15 home runs in its last 14 games after hitting 10 in its first 34.

** The Tigers had 17 errors in their first 21 SEC games before committing five in two games Saturday.

** Conor Davis has a hit in each of his last 15 starts.

** Right fielder Daniel Robert (elbow) was a late scratch before game one and shortstop Luke Jarvis (back) left game one in the fifth inning. Neither will be available Sunday.

** Auburn had a sellout crowd of 4,096 in game one and 4,013 in game two.