BY TIM HAYES

Bristol Herald Courier

Kevin Barker was a pretty good pitcher back in the day.

He saw time on the mound while at John Battle and Virginia High, as well as being one of Southwest Virginia’s top hitters.

In fact, Barker was 8-1 with a 0.20 ERA as a senior at VHS and helped the Bearcats claim the 1993 VHSL Group AA state title.

So, it must have seemed like old times recently when Barker took the mound for the Class AAA Louisville Bats.

In the 17th inning of Louisville’s International League marathon with Columbus on April 28, Barker was brought in by Louisville manager Rick Sweet after all other bullpen options had been exhausted and the skipper was forced to give the ball to his first baseman.

It didn’t go well for Barker, who allowed three runs and was charged with the loss in the 5-2 setback. He retired the first batter he faced, Jason Dubois, on a ground out, but Columbus quickly loaded the bases against the left-hander.

A two-run single by former University of Tennessee star Javi Herrera was the big blow in the inning, while the other run scored on a sacrifice bunt.

The final line for Barker: 1 I.P., 2 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 0 strikeouts and a 27.00 ERA. He was also 1-for-7 at the plate with a RBI.

It actually marked the fifth time Barker had pitched in a professional game, all coming in the minors and all occurring since 2004.

As for how things have went at his regular positions – first baseman and designated hitter – Barker is hitting .258 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 18 games for Louisville.

Latest on Lee

Virginia High graduate C.J. Lee is hitting .240 with six RBIs in 15 games for the Low-Class A Rome (Ga.) Braves.

Mobley Demoted

After getting roughed up at the Class AAA level, former Dobyns-Bennett High School star Chris Mobley was recently demoted to the Class AA Carolina Mudcats.

Mobley was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA in five appearances for the Pacific Coast League’s Albuquerque Isotopes, the highest affiliate in the Florida Marlins’ minor league system.

Since returning to Carolina, Mobley has had three straight scoreless outings. In fact, Mobley has not allowed a run in eight appearances and 10 2/3 innings this season for the Mudcats.

Gobble Update

Jimmy Gobble (John Battle) worked a scoreless inning of relief for the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday in their 5-3 setback to the Los Angeles Angels.

Gobble struck out Garret Anderson and Brandon Wood in his inning of work and the only L.A. baserunner to reach against him was Torii Hunter, who recorded an infield single.

Gobble is 0-0 with one save and a 5.40 ERA in 11 appearances this season for the Royals.

Wagner Watch

All-Star closer Billy Wagner (Tazewell) continues to be dominant for the New York Mets.

Through Tuesday, Wagner had not allowed an earned run in 13 innings of work. Along with racking up seven saves, the left-hander had yielded just three hits, walked two and struck out 13.

thayes@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2570