Saturday, June 27, 2009

Spring at first base for Smokies' series finale

The Biscuits and Smokies will cap their six-game series with the same pitching matchup that started it. Montgomery's Jeremy Hellickson threw four shutout innings Monday in a no-decision. Tennessee's Jay Jackson threw five shutout innings and picked up the win in the Smokies' 2-0 victory.

Catcher Matt Spring has a hot bat and the Biscuits are taking extra steps to make sure he's in the lineup. He's starting at first base tonight. Only twice in his career has Spring played defense as a non-catcher, both in 2007.

With the Biscuits on July 7, he was 1-for-3 with a home run at Mobile as the first baseman. He replaced Chris Nowak in the fourth inning and finished with five putouts and an assist. With low-Class A Columbus on May 13, he was a "defensive" replacement in the 11th inning for third baseman Cesar Suarez and didn't bat nor field a ball.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Drew Anderson, 2b
Rashad Eldridge, lf
Fernando Cortez, 3b
Cesar Suarez, dh
Matt Spring, 1b -- what?!?
J.T. Hall, rf
Nevin Ashley, c
Jason Bowers, ss
Jeremy Hellickson, rhp

SMOKIES
Tony Thomas, 2b
James Adduci, cf
Doug Deeds, rf
Tyler Colvin, lf
Marquez Smith, 3b
Blake Lalli, 1b
Ty Wright, dh
Mark Reed, c
Darwin Barney, ss
Jay Jackson, rhp


5:03: Spring starts taking some grounders at first from pitching coach Neil Allen.
5:05: Pitcher Brian Baker joins in so Spring can practice his throws.
5:10: Spring is finished with his practicing ... at first. He's now putting on his equipment to catch some bullpens.

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