Birmingham Advances in 4-A City Playoffs

Senior Jordan Cook threw a three-hitter and retired the last 12 batters he faced as Birmingham High opened the 4-A City baseball playoffs with a 2-1 victory over Gardena.

Cook (7-3) struck out three and walked none as Birmingham advanced to Tuesday’s quarterfinal against Grant, a 2-1 winner Friday over Reseda.

Birmingham (17-9) led, 1-0, in the third inning. With one out, Kevin Zietz singled and went to second on a fielder’s choice. He scored on a single by Kevin Gelbard.

Gardena tied it in the fourth inning when Brian Brown led off with a triple and scored on a ground out to second base.

In the fifth inning Birmingham pushed across the game-winning run. Damon Buford singled and went to second on an error. He went to third on a single by Gelbard and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ernie Perez.