Alabama Comeback Bid Comes Up Short in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Alabama Crimson Tide (15-5, 0-2) fell #-# in game two of its SEC opening series against Kentucky (17-2, 2-0).

Alabama has struggled to pick up series wins at Kentucky in recent history, winning its last three-game set over the Wildcats in Lexington back in 2004.

Missed chances and defensive mistakes plagued the Crimson Tide's afternoon as they stranded 12 runners and recorded three defensive errors.

Alabama starter Zane Adams was tagged with the loss. The southpaw allowed six hits, five runs (four earned), and two walks while picking up four strikeouts.

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The Crimson Tide started strong, manufacturing two runs in the first via a slew of free passes, nifty baserunning, and a John Lemm double.

Zane Adams rolled in the first two frames, retiring the first six batters he faced.

Alabama extended its lead in the third thanks to a two-out solo shot from John Lemm for his second jack of the weekend.

The Wildcats promptly responded in the bottom of the frame, scoring on a Bryce Fowler fielding error to cut the Crimson Tide's lead, but Alabama pulled the run back in the top of the fourth as Will Plattner scored on a throwing error by the Kentucky catcher.

The Wildcats then jumped on Adams, tallying four runs in the fifth to run the southpaw out of the game, giving Kentucky a 5-4 lead.

Two frames later, a three-run blast pushed Kentucky out to a daunting 8-4 lead.

The Crimson Tide didn't give up, working two base runners in the eighth, but couldn't find the hit to bring them home.

A flurry of hits and walks brought in three runs in the top of the ninth, but it wasn't enough to extend the game as Alabama fell 8-7.

The Crimson Tide looks to salvage the series with a Sunday win tomorrow at 12 p.m. CT.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.