Capital City blowout

Anfernee Grier had three hits including a massive home run that bounced off the scoreboard in left center to lead Auburn to a 10-1 win over Alabama Tuesday night in the Capital City Classic.

The win breaks a three-game losing streak and gives the Tigers a 7-1 all-time record in the annual matchup between the two rivals at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery.

“I thought in all three phases — pitching, defense and offense — we played a complete game,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “Our guys have had their heart’s ripped out a little but when they play all three phases good you can see it’s a pretty good ball club.”

Grier, who finished 3 of 5, leads the SEC with a .434 average, 46 hits, 35 runs scored and seven home runs.

Auburn scored at least one run in each of the first six innings including four in the first on an RBI single by Jordan Ebert and a three-run home run by Blake Logan, his first of the season.

“Playing Alabama is big for us, it’s big for our fans and it was a nice win for us tonight,” Logan said.

The Tigers had 15 hits including six for extra bases. Ebert was 3 of 5. Logan, Niko Buentello, and Damon Haecker had two hits apiece. Logan was named game MVP.

“Our at-bats, just piecing them together. Blake Logan’s big home run, Anfernee lost one, but there was a lot of singles in-between that set the tables,” Thompson said.

Auburn starter Andrew Mitchell (4-0) earned the win holding Alabama to a run on six hits in 6.0 innings. Mitchell struck out five and walked two on 101 pitches. Gordon Cardenas picked up a save holding the Tide to two hits over the final 3.0 innings.

“Mitchell was a little slow getting started but once he got to the fourth and threw 10 fastballs in that inning and got out of it, it looks like he got in a rhythm and was able to get a good, quality start,” Thompson said.

Alabama starter Jon Keller (2-1) took the loss allowing six runs on seven hits in 2.0 innings. Cobie Vance had two hits for the Tide.

Auburn (12-13, 1-5 SEC) returns to action this weekend as No. 14 LSU visits Plainsman Park for a three-game series.