Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tuesday's Rays roundup

Bulls 7, Syracuse 1
Chris Archer threw six shutout innings with four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. Leslie Anderson doubled, singled twice, RBI'd and scored twice. Craig Albernaz hit a two-run double.

Lakeland 7, Stone Crabs 5 (10)
Hector Guevara hit a three-run home run, doubled and scored twice. Brett Nommensen singled twice and walked. Curt Casali singled, walked twice and RBI'd. Ryan Carpenter posted a book-rule quality start.

Hot Rods 8, Peoria 0
Jeff Ames surrendered one hit in five innings with a walk and five strikeouts. Brandon Henderson retired all eight batters he faced. Luke Maile hit a three-run homer, doubled twice and had four RBIs. Tyler Goeddel tripled, walked twice, had two RBIs and scored twice.

Today's Rays pitchers

Jeff Ames may be 2-0, but the Hot Rods are 4-0 in his starts, a streak that will be tested this morning. The Bulls also have a morning tilt.


DUR (Chris Archer 3-1, 5.04) at Syracuse (Yunesky Maya 0-2, 7.33), 11 a.m.
MGM off
CHA (Ryan Carpenter 2-1, 1.96) vs. Lakeland (Kevin Eichhorn 1-3, 3.48), 5:30
BWG (Jeff Ames 2-0, 2.25) vs. Peoria (Josh Lucas 0-0, 0.00), 10:35 a.m.

Ranking the Rays ... Rickard, Odorizzi, Reginatto

For Monday ...


1. Joey Rickard, BWG: 2 1b's, 3 walks, RBI, run
2. Jake Odorizzi, DUR: 5 shutout, 4 hits, no walks, 6 Ks
3. Leonardo Reginatto, BWG: 2b, 2 1b's, 2 runs
4. Chris Gimenez, DUR: 2b, 2 1b's, 2 runs
5. Brett Nommensen, CHA: 2b, 2 1b's, steal

Morning reading

Victor Mateo had a solid outing going until one misplaced sixth-inning pitch in the Biscuits' loss to Birmingham on Monday. And, with the Biscuits finished with the month of April, time to celebrate a team record: most HBPs in one month.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Monday's Rays roundup

Bulls 5, Syracuse 0
Jake Odorizzi gave up four hits over five innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Frank De Los Santos threw two perfect innings and Steve Geltz finished a five-hitter. Chris Gimenez doubled, singled twice and scored twice. Leslie Anderson doubled twice, walked and scored.

Lakeland 12, Stone Crabs 3
Richie Shaffer hit a two-run home run and singled. Brett Nommensen doubled, singled twice and stole. Roberto Gomez gave up six runs in four innings.

Hot Rods 4, Peoria 3 (11)
Tommy Coyle doubled, singled twice and RBI'd. Andrew Toles doubled, singled twice and knocked in the winning run. Leonardo Reginatto doubled, singled twice and scored the winning run. Joey Rickard singled twice, walked thrice, RBI'd and scored. Taylor Guerrieri gave up two runs on five hits in five innings.

Monday: Barons 5, Biscuits 2

Stephen McCray gave up one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings and Miguel Gonzalez hit a sixth-inning grand slam to lead the Birmingham Barons to a 5-2 win over the Biscuits on Monday.

McCray (4-1) surrendered a home run to Montgomery designated hitter Kyeong Kang in the second inning. After a third-inning single by Mikie Mahtook, McCray retired 12 straight Biscuits.

Down 4-1, the Biscuits loaded the bases with one out in the sixth to chase McCray. Ryan Kussmaul struck out Kevin Kiermaier and got Robby Price to fly out to end the threat.

Kang reached on a three-base error in the ninth and scored on a Riccio Torrez groundout.

Montgomery finished with just three hits, tying a season low.

Biscuits starter Victor Mateo took a shutout into the sixth. Dan Black's leadoff double, followed by a single and hit batsman, loaded the bases for Gonzalez. He hit Mateo's 0-1 pitch over the left-field wall.

Durham's Belnome wins in International League

Durham infielder Vince Belnome, thanks to a .500, three-homer, 11-RBI week, snagged International League player of the week honors.

Belnome scored seven times and had two four-RBI games. He's hitting .364 with 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 20 games this year. A .463 on-base percentage isn't too shabby, either.

Suns' Ozuna, Braves' Wood top Southern League week

Jacksonville right fielder Marcell Ozuna and Mississippi left-hander Alex Wood won the Southern League's weekly awards today.

Wood threw five shutout innings in a win Saturday and hasn't given up a run in his last three starts/18 innings. Ozuna was 11-for-30 with five home runs and had 11 RBIs for the week.

Monday's lineups

10:35 a.m. start. Ugh.

BISCUITS
Kevin Kiermaier cf (left)
Robby Price 2b (left)
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann lf
Kyeong Kang dh
Riccio Torrez 3b
Mayo Acosta c
Robi Estrada ss
Victor Mateo rhp

BARONS
Keenyn Walker rf (switch)
Marcus Semien 2b
Trayce Thompson cf
Dan Black 1b (switch)
Tyler Saladino ss
Michael Earley lf
Miguel Gonzalez c
Cody Puckett dh
Dan Wagner 3b
Stephen McCray rhp

Today's Rays pitchers

It's a Taylor Guerrieri day, which is always something to be eagerly tracked.

Biscuits catcher Mark Thomas should be familiar with Birmingham starter Stephen McCray. They played together at Young-Harris College in Georgia. (Lineups won't be on the blog until almost game time for the bright-and-early 10:30 affair.)

DUR (Jake Odorizzi 1-0, 4.09) at Syracuse (Chris Young 0-0, 12.46), 6
MGM (Victor Mateo 1-2, 7.20) vs. Birmingham (Stephen McCray 3-1, 2.57), 10:35 a.m.
CHA (Roberto Gomez 0-3, 5.68) vs. Lakeland (Kyle Ryan 2-1, 3.51), 5:30
BWG (Taylor Guerrieri 1-0, 1.50) vs. Peoria (Kyle Helisek 1-1, 5.94), 7:05

Ranking the Rays ... Belnome, Seitzer, Gantt

For Sunday ...


1. Vince Belnome, DUR: 3-run HR, 3 1b's, 4 RBIs, 2 runs
2. Cameron Seitzer, MGM: 2 2b's, 1b, 2 walks, 2 runs
3. Marty Gantt, BWG: 2-run HR, 2 walks, 3 runs
4. Todd Glaesmann, MGM: 3-run HR, 2b, 1b, 5 RBIs, 2 runs
5. Tommy Coyle, BWG: 2b, 2 walks, 2 RBIs, 2 runs

Morning reading

Todd Glaesmann took advantage of a stiff wind for a three-run home run and finished with five RBIs Sunday, though the Biscuits gave up 17 hits and issued nine walks in their loss to Birmingham. Cameron Seitzer is also doing well, having reached base 21 times in his last eight games.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Sunday's Rays roundup

Bulls 13, Syracuse 3
Vince Belnome was 4-for-5 with a three-run home run, four RBIs and two runs scored. Chris Gimenez walked three times and scored twice. Wil Myers had two RBIs and two runs scored.

Lakeland 11, Stone Crabs 4
Curt Casali singled, walked thrice, stole, RBI'd and scored. Jesse Hahn gave up one hit in three shutout innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

Hot Rods 9, Peoria 4
Tommy Coyle doubled, walked twice, had two RBIs and scored twice. Marty Gantt hit a two-run home run, walked twice and scored thrice. Graden Goetzman hit a three-run triple in his debut.

Sunday: Barons 14, Biscuits 8

Trayce Thompson and Dan Black each homered and scored three times, and Mike Blanke knocked in four runs in the Birmingham Barons' 14-8 win over the Biscuits on Sunday.

Thompson and Black also had three RBIs.

Thompson's three-run homer highlighted a five-run sixth inning, while Black hit a leadoff homer in the second. Blanke cracked a three-run shot to cap Birmingham's four-run rally in the fifth.

Todd Glaesmann finished with five RBIs and scored twice for the Biscuits. He hit an opposite-field, three-run homer in the first inning, an RBI double in the third and an RBI single in the ninth.

Cameron Seitzer doubled twice, singled and walked twice and has reached base 21 times in his last eight games. Mikie Mahtook singled, doubled, tripled and had two RBIs.

The Biscuits hit six doubles, their most at Riverwalk in team history.

Slocomb's Santora honored by AlaBCA

Slocomb's Cody Santora, before facing Trinity in the Class 3A quarterfinals next weekend, picked up $2,000 at Riverwalk Stadium today.

The Alabama Baseball Coaches Association honored Santora as its Joe Mason scholarship winner. Mason is a longtime professional scout who lives in Millbrook.

Etowah's Josh Bobo, Faith-Mobile's Caleb Lopes and Eufaula's Trey Johns won $1,500 scholarships. Santora is headed to Southern Union, Bobo to Jacksonville State, Lopes to Faulkner State Community College and Johns to Lawson State.

O'Malley available, if Biscuits need him

Biscuits shortstop Shawn O'Malley is available today "if we need him," manager Billy Gardner said, though he's not in today's lineup after leaving Saturday due to biceps tendinitis.

"He played catch and felt good, but there's still a little discomfort there," Gardner said. "He took some swings and felt good from both sides. Maybe tomorrow, maybe (wait) another day with the off day and we get him back out there Wednesday."

The Biscuits finish their series with the Birmingham Barons at 10:35 a.m. Monday. They're off Tuesday before starting a series at Pensacola.

Sunday's lineups

Shawn O'Malley gets the day off after leaving Saturday's game due to biceps tendinitis. The Biscuits and Barons are scheduled to play at 2:05 p.m.

For sporadic in-game updates, check Twitter @AStacyLong.

BISCUITS
Kevin Kiermaier cf (left)
Robby Price 2b (left)
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann lf
Riccio Torrez dh
Greg Sexton 3b
Mark Thomas c
Robi Estrada ss (switch)
Enny Romero lhp

BARONS
Keenyn Walker rf (switch)
Marcus Semien 2b
Trayce Thompson cf
Dan Black 1b (switch)
Tyler Saladino ss
Michael Earley lf
Mike Blanke c
Cody Puckett 3b
Joe DePinto dh
Scott Snodgress lhp

Today's Rays pitchers

Montgomery's Enny Romero continues his quest for his first Double-A win today. Charlotte's Jesse Hahn is scheduled to start today, too, and try for his first high-Class A win.

DUR (J.D. Martin 1-1, 4.50) at Syracuse (Ross Ohlendorf 2-2, 5.82), 1
MGM (Enny Romero 0-0, 4.82) vs. Birmingham (Scott Snodgress 3-1, 3.38), 2:05
CHA (Jesse Hahn 0-0, 0.75) vs. Lakeland (Wilsen Palacios 1-2, 3.86), 4:30
BWG (Eduar Quinonez 1-1, 10.95) vs. Peoria (Tyrell Jenkins 0-1, 5.79), 5:05

Ranking the Rays ... Kelly, Rivero, Colome

For Saturday ...


1. Merrill Kelly, MGM: 7 shutout, 2 hits, 2 walks, 6 Ks
2. Felipe Rivero, CHA: 6 shutout, 1 hit, 3 walks, 6 Ks
3. Alex Colome, DUR: 6 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 2 walks, 6 Ks
4. Rich Thompson, DUR: 1b, 2 walks, steal, PO, run
5. Cameron Seitzer, MGM: 1b, 2 walks

Morning reading

Merrill Kelly wasn't part of the Biscuits' pregame autograph session and his preparations led to seven shutout innings against Birmingham on Saturday. Reliever C.J. Riefenhauser is OK after getting hit by a ling drive Friday, while shortstop Shawn O'Malley left Saturday's game with biceps tendinitis.

There's also a photo gallery by master photographer Mickey Welsh and a video from the autograph session by a far-from-expert videographer.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Saturday's Rays roundup

Syracuse 2, Bulls 1
Rich Thompson singled, walked twice, stole, was picked off and scored in the ninth. Alex Colome gave up two runs in the sixth.

Fort Myers 2, Stone Crabs 1
Felipe Rivero tossed six shutout innings with one hit, three walks and six strikeouts.

Burlington at Hot Rods
Canceled.

Saturday: Biscuits 3, Barons 0

Merrill Kelly recorded the Biscuits' best start of the season, allowing two hits over seven innings in Montgomery's 3-0 win over the Birmingham Barons on Saturday.

Kelly (2-2) retired 17 of 18 batters at one point and didn't allow a hit from the first inning until the seventh. He walked two and struck out six. Relievers Marquis Fleming and Matt Nevarez polished off a three-hitter.

Barons starter Erik Johnson was almost as good for five innings.

After giving up an unearned run on a Mikie Mahtook RBI single in the first, Johnson didn't give up another hit until the sixth. He had retired 14 straight hitters entering the sixth.

Montgomery scored twice on two hits against Johnson (2-1) in the sixth. After loading the bases, the Biscuits scored on a Kyeong Kang groundball and a Riccio Torrez infield single.

Saturday's lineups: Kang in lineup

Kyeong Kang, after a late arrival Friday before a 10th-inning pinch-hitting appearance, is in the starting lineup today when the Biscuits face the Birmingham Barons. First pitch 7:05, though a one-hour on-field autograph session begins at 5.

BISCUITS
Kevin Kiermaier cf (left)
Robby Price 2b (left)
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann lf
Kyeong Kang dh (left)
Riccio Torrez 3b
Mayo Acosta c
Shawn O'Malley ss (switch)
Merrill Kelly rhp

BARONS
Keenyn Walker cf (switch)
Marcus Semien 2b
Trayce Thompson rf
Dan Black 1b (switch)
Tyler Saladino ss
Michael Earley lf
Miguel Gonzalez c
Dan Wagner 3b (left)
Cody Puckett dh
Erik Johnson rhp

Today's Rays pitchers

It's an Alex Colome kind of day. The Durham right-hander, whose first three starts were stellar, tries to get back on track today at Syracuse.


Colome surrendered four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings in his last start. In his first three, he had an 0.56 ERA with seven hits allowed in 16 innings.

DUR (Alex Colome 1-2, 2.08) at Syracuse (Danny Rosenbaum 1-1, 1.62), 6
MGM (Merrill Kelly 1-2, 5.09) vs. Birmingham (Erik Johnson 2-0, 1.07), 6:35
CHA (Felipe Rivero 1-3, 6.43) at Fort Myers (Jason Wheeler 2-0, 5.84), 5:05
BWG (Eduar Quinonez 1-1, 10.95) vs. Burlington (Alex Keudell 1-1, 2.60), 7:05

Ranking the Rays ... Buschmann, Torres, Henderson

For Friday ...


1. Matt Buschmann, MGM: 6 shutout, 4 hits, 2 walks, 6 Ks, 9 GBO
2. Alex Torres, DUR: 5 innings, 2 unearned runs, 5 hits, walk, 10 Ks
3. Brandon Henderson, BWG: 3 2/3 shutout, 2 hits, no walks, 5 Ks
4. Alejandro Segovia, CHA: 2-run HR, 2 1b's, 3 runs
5. Vince Belnome, DUR: grand slam, walk

Morning reading

The Biscuits' bullpen suffered its first blown save with Friday's 6-1, 10-inning loss to Birmingham. (Last year, through 22 games, Montgomery relievers had four blown saves.) Also, reliever Matt Nevarez is happy to have joined the Biscuits and escaped from extended spring training.

And here are the second-round AHSAA playoff scores/schedule. The AISA semifinal pairings are at the end.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Friday: Barons 6, Biscuits 1 (10)

Michael Earley's solo home run sparked a five-run 10th inning that gave the Birmingham Barons a 6-1 win over the Biscuits on Friday.

Keenyn Walker added an RBI triple, Marcus Semien an RBI double and Dan Black a two-run double in the inning. The Barons, who had six hits through eight innings, totaled seven in the ninth and 10th.

Biscuits starter Matt Buschmann took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and left after six shutout innings. Greg Sexton doubled in Todd Glaesmann for Montgomery's run in the fifth inning.

Friday's Rays roundup

Bulls 5, Toledo 4
Vince Belnome hit a third-inning grand slam and walked. Alex Torres struck out 10 over five innings, giving up two unearned runs on five hits and a walk. The Bulls also turned a triple play in the sixth inning.

Fort Myers 10, Stone Crabs 4
Alejandro Segovia homered, singled twice, had two RBIs and scored three times. Steve Tinoco singled twice and RBI'd. Parker Markel served up seven runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Burlington 3, Hot Rods 1
Justin O'Conner doubled twice. Tommy Coyle singled twice, stole and scored. Sean Bierman gave up three runs on four hits in four innings.

Friday's lineups: No Kang

Outfielder Kyeong Kang, promoted back to the Biscuits today, isn't in the lineup for tonight's game against Birmingham. The Barons have put outfielder Jared Mitchell on the disabled list after he suffered an oblique injury Thursday.

BISCUITS
Kevin Kiermaier cf (left)
Robby Price 2b (left)
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann lf
Riccio Torrez 3b
Greg Sexton dh
Mark Thomas c
Shawn O'Malley ss (switch)
Matt Buschmann rhp

BARONS
Keenyn Walker cf (left)
Marcus Semien 2b
Trayce Thompson rf
Dan Black 1b (switch)
Tyler Saladino ss
Mike Blanke c
Michael Early lf
Dan Wagner dh
Cody Puckett 3b
Spencer Arroyo lhp

Today's Rays pitchers

Hot Rods left-hander Sean Bierman tries to snap out of the funk from his last start tonight against Burlington. (Can you detect sarcasm?)

Bierman gave up one earned run on one hit in five innings for a no-decision in his last start, his worst of the year. Oh, in his first two starts, Bierman threw 11 shutout innings, giving up six hits.

DUR (Alex Torres 1-0, 1.69) vs. Toledo (Casey Crosby 1-3, 4.58), 6:05
MGM (Matt Buschmann 2-1, 4.58) vs. Birmingham (Spencer Arroyo 1-1, 3.72), 7:05
CHA (Parker Markel 0-2, 7.36) at Fort Myers (Tom Stuifbergen 1-1, 2.88), 6:05
BWG (Sean Bierman 2-0, 0.56) vs. Burlington (Ryan Crowley 1-0, 3.00), 7:05

Ranking the Rays ... Kiermaier, Seitzer, Coyle

For Thursday ...

1. Kevin Kiermaier, MGM: 3 1b's, walk, HBP, 2 steals, 2 RBIs, 4 runs
2. Cameron Seitzer, MGM: 2b, 3 1b's, HRP, 3 RBIs
3. Tommy Coyle, BWG: solo HR, 3b, 1b, walk
4. Wil Myers, DUR: 2-run HR, 2b, walk
5. Dylan Floro, BWG: 5 innings, run, 5 hits, no walks, 4 Ks, 7 GBO

Morning reading: Kiermaier kick-starts Biscuits

Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier was surprised to learn he'd scored four runs in the Biscuits' 11-3 win over Birmingham on Thursday, much less that he tied a team record. Also, catcher Mayo Acosta had to borrow a glove to make two starts at first base this week.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Kang back to Biscuits, who put Morrison on DL

Outfielder Kyeong Kang, who spent the last two seasons with the Biscuits, is returning to the team today.

Kang is being promoted from high-Class A Charlotte and Montgomery is putting outfielder Ty Morrison on the disabled list.

Morrison is suffering from a sore right elbow, manager Billy Gardner said. Kang hit .339 in 17 games this season for the Stone Crabs. He had 13 runs scored and four RBIs.

Thursday: Biscuits 11, Barons 3

Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier tied a Biscuits record with four runs scored and Cameron Seitzer tied a career high with four hits in Montgomery's 11-3 win over the Birmingham Barons on Thursday.

Shawn O'Malley hit his first home run, a two-run blast in the sixth that gave the Biscuits an 8-3 lead. The Biscuits added three runs in the eighth, capped by Todd Glaesmann's RBI single.

Kiermaier and Seitzer both reached base five times. Kiermaier was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Keenyn Walker in the third inning.

Thursday's Rays roundup

Toledo 9, Bulls 7
Wil Myers homered, doubled, walked and had two RBIs. Chris Archer gave up five earned runs over five innings.

Fort Myers 5, Stone Crabs 3
Jeff Malm singled, walked twice and RBI'd. Richie Shaffer homered. Nate Garcia tossed two perfect innings. Ryan Carpenter's four innings had three earned runs.

Hot Rods 4, Burlington 2
Tommy Coyle homered, tripled, singled, walked and erred. Andrew Toles singled twice, RBI'd and scored. Dylan Floro allowed one run on five hits in five innings.

Thursday's lineups; May 7 ticket giveaway

The Biscuits and city just announced that they're giving away 2,000 tickets to the May 7 game to anyone who "has never attended a Biscuits game."

No word on what documentation is required as proof. Maximum of four tickets per household. Go to biscuitsbaseball.com or call 323-2255 for more details. (The release also says it's for "citizens of the River Region." I still wonder what exact geographic boundaries entail said "River Region.")

In the meantime, here are today's lineups between the Biscuits and Barons. Game time 7:05 p.m.

BISCUITS
Kevin Kiermaier cf (left)
Shawn O'Malley ss (switch)
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann lf
Mayo Acosta 1b
Riccio Torrez 3b
Mark Thomas c
Robi Estrada 2b (switch)
Jake Thompson rhp

BARONS
Keenyn Walker rf (left)
Marcus Semien 2b
Dan Black dh (switch)
Andy Wilkins 1b (left)
Tyler Saladino ss
Jared Mitchell cf (left)
Mike Blanke c
Michael Earley lf
Cody Puckett 3b
Wes Whisler lhp

Today's Rays pitchers

Durham's Chris Archer, already the Tampa Bay organizational leader with three wins, goes for No. 4 today. Archer has yet to pitch into the sixth inning, but the Bulls have lavished him with run support. Durham has scored 37 runs in his four starts.


DUR (Chris Archer 3-0, 4.05) vs. Toledo (Pat Misch 0-3, 5.21), 6:05
MGM (Jake Thompson 1-2, 8.36) vs. Birmingham (Wes Whisler 0-0, 6.35), 7:05
CHA (Ryan Carpenter 2-0, 0.95) vs. Fort Myers (D.J. Baxendale 2-0, 1.04), 5:30
BWG (Dylan Floro 1-0, 1.20) vs. Burlington (Aaron Newcomb 0-0, 0.00), 7:05

Ranking the Rays ... Lopez, Belnome, Coyle

For Wednesday ...

1. Reinaldo Lopez, BWG: 4 shutout, 2 hits, no walks, K, 8 GBO
2. Vince Belnome, DUR: 2 2b's, 2 1b's, RBI, 3 runs
3. Tommy Coyle, BWG: 3b, 2 1b's, 2 steals, run
4. Leslie Anderson, DUR: 3 1b's, walk, RBI, 3 runs
5. Cole Figueroa, DUR: 2b, 2 1b's, steal, 3 RBIs

Morning reading: Lara ready for the big show

Braulio Lara was on the brink of the major leagues this spring. But the Miami Marlins, after taking Lara in the Rule 5 draft, chose against keeping him in the major leagues. They returned Lara to the Rays, who assigned the left-handed relief pitcher to the Biscuits this year.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Montoyo on way back to Bulls

Charlie Montoyo is expected to return Thursday to Triple-A Durham. Montoyo has been away for two weeks for 5-year-old son Alex's heart surgery in Los Angeles. Montoyo, Montgomery's manager from 2004-06, is in his seventh season with the Bulls.

Wednesday's Rays roundup

Bulls 9, Toledo 8
Vince Belnome and Leslie Anderson each scored three times and had an RBI. Belnome doubled twice and singled twice. Anderson singled thrice and walked. Cole Figueroa doubled, singled twice, stole and had three RBIs.

Fort Wayne 3, Hot Rods 2
Tommy Coyle tripled, singled twice, stole twice and scored. Tyler Goeddel drew three walks. Reinaldo Lopez threw four shutout innings.

Wednesday: Biscuits 5, Smokies 4

The Biscuits, for a second straight day, used a ninth-inning rally to beat the Tennessee Smokies on Wednesday. Montgomery scored twice on a ninth-inning play to take a series-ending 5-4 victory.

With runners on second and third and one out, Mikie Mahtook knocked in Shawn O'Malley with a fielder's choice to snap a 3-3 tie. A throwing error by catcher Rafael Lopez brought in Kevin Kiermaier.

Tennessee's Arismendy Alcantara singled home Matt Szczur in the bottom of the ninth to make it a one-run game.

Mayo Acosta homered, while Cameron Seitzer hit an RBI single and walked twice for the Biscuits.

Rehabbing major leaguer Matt Garza was scratched from his scheduled start for the Smokies. According to reports, he's suffering from soreness in his right arm. Garza is on the disabled list due to a spring training back injury.

Today's Rays pitchers

Hot Rods left-hander Blake Snell, after two straight dominant starts, will attempt to make it three in a row today. Snell has limited hitters to seven hits and one run in his last two starts. In those 9 2/3 innings, he also walked four and struck out 12.


The Biscuits face major leaguer Matt Garza, formerly of the Rays. Garza makes his first rehab start for Tennessee.

DUR (Jake Odorizzi 0-0, 3.18) vs. Toledo (Shawn Hill 0-1, 2.22), 12:05
MGM (Victor Mateo 1-2, 7.63) at Tennessee (Matt Garza rehab), 11 a.m.
CHA off
BWG (Blake Snell 1-1, 2.92) vs. Fort Wayne (Walker Weickel 0-0, 3.52), 7:05

Ranking the Rays ... Goeddel, Coyle, Gomez

For Tuesday ...

1. Tyler Goeddel, BWG: 3b, 2b, 1b, HBP, steal, RBI, 3 runs
2. Tommy Coyle, BWG: solo HR, 3 walks, steal, 4 runs
3. Roberto Gomez, CHA: 6 innings, unearned run, 4 hits, walk, 5 Ks
4. Justin O'Conner, BWG: 2b, 1b, walk, steal, 2 RBIs, 2 runs
5. Cameron Seitzer, MGM: 2 2b's, 2 RBIs, 2 runs

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Tuesday's Rays roundup

Bulls 4, Toledo 3 (11)
Jason Bourgeois' bases-loaded, two-out single scored Brandon Guyer to win it. Cole Figueroa doubled in Chris Gimenez to tie it in the ninth. Gimenez doubled, singled twice, walked and RBI'd. J.D. Martin's six innings included two runs on six hits. Kirby Yates threw two perfect innings with four strikeouts.

Stone Crabs 3, St. Lucie 2
Roberto Gomez gave up no earned runs on four hits in six innings. Austin Hubbard threw two no-hit innings with four strikeouts. Kyeong Kang hit a solo home run, singled and scored twice.

Hot Rods 12, Fort Wayne 6
Tommy Coyle hit a solo home run, walked three times, stole and scored four runs. Tyler Goeddel singled, doubled, tripled, stole, RBI'd and scored thrice. Andrew Toles singled twice, scored and had three of BWG's eight steals. Jeff Ames (2-0) gave up three runs in five innings.

Tuesday: Biscuits 4, Smokies 3

The Biscuits scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat the Tennessee Smokies 4-3 on Tuesday.

Cameron Seitzer hit a two-run double to tie it and scored on a Riccio Torrez single to lift Montgomery to a come-from-behind victory.

Tuesday marked just the 15th time in the team's nine-plus seasons that it won when trailing after eight innings. The Biscuits were 0-7 this year.

Robby Price drew a leadoff walk and Mikie Mahtook doubled to bring up Seitzer. The rally came off Haleyville native Trey McNutt, who is in his third full Southern League season.

Tennessee's Johermyn Chavez doubled to start the bottom of the ninth and moved to third on a one-out passed ball by Mark Thomas. C.J. Riefenhauser replaced Juan Sandoval, struck out Rubi Silva and got Elliot Soto to ground out to end the game.

Today's Rays pitchers

Stone Crabs right-hander Roberto Gomez tries to avoid becoming the first in the Rays organization to record a fourth loss when he faces St. Lucie today. Gomez has given up 15 hits in 13 innings

DUR (J.D. Martin 1-1, 5.14) vs. Toledo (Jose Alvarez 1-1, 1.93), 6:05
MGM (Enny Romero 0-0, 6.48) at Tennessee (Kyle Hendricks 1-1, 4.09), 6:15
CHA (Roberto Gomez 0-3, 8.31) vs. St. Lucie (Noah Syndergaard 0-0, 6.75), 5:30
BWG (Jeff Ames 1-0, 1.20) vs. Fort Wayne (Erik Cabrera 0-1, 9.64), 10:35 a.m.

Ranking the Rays ... Goeddel, Gantt, Hahn

For Monday ...


1. Tyler Goeddel, BWG: 3 1b's, steal, 3 runs, error
2. Marty Gantt, BWG: 3-run HR, walk, 2 runs
3. Jesse Hahn, CHA: 3 shutout, 3 hits, walk, K, 5 GBO
4. Ryan Dunn, BWG: 2 1b's, walk, 2 runs
5. Taylor Guerrieri, BWG: 5 innings, 2 earned runs, 5 hits, won?!?

Monday, April 22, 2013

Monday's Rays roundup

St. Lucie 2, Stone Crabs 1
Alejandro Segovia doubled twice, walked and knocked in Kyeong Kang in the fifth. Jake Hager singled and walked. Jesse Hahn threw three shutout innings with three hits and a walk.

Hot Rods 10, Fort Wayne 5
Marty Gantt hit a three-run home run, walked and scored twice. Joey Rickard doubled, was plunked, stole had three RBIs and scored. Tyler Goeddel singled thrice, stole and scored thrice. Taylor Guerrieri (believe it or not) got a win. He worked five innings with two earned runs on five hits for his second career victory.

Monday: Smokies 8, Biscuits 3

Arismendy Alcantara hit a tiebreaking single that started the scoring in a five-run sixth inning that carried the Tennessee Smokies to an 8-3 win over the Biscuits on Monday in Sevierville, Tenn.

Matt Szczur hit a leadoff double, went to third on a bunt and scored on Alcantara's single to snap a 2-2 tie. A Jonathan Mota two-out single brought in the final two runs.

Montgomery's Mayo Acosta started at first base for just the fifth time in his six-year career. All four previous starts at first came in 2011 at high-Class A Charlotte.

Hot Rods' Ames honored by Midwest League

Bowling Green Hot Rods pitcher Jeff Ames carried Midwest League honors for the week.

Ames allowed just one hit over five shutout innings and tied a career high with eight strikeouts Tuesday. In 15 innings this year, the 22-year-old has given up just five hits with a walk and 15 strikeouts.

Riefenhauser nets Southern League award

Biscuits reliever C.J. Riefenhauser, with 7 1/3 no-hit innings over three appearances, was named the Southern League's pitcher of the week today.

Chattanooga outfielder Joc Pederson won hitter of the week.

Riefenhauser has a streak of 9 1/3 shutout innings after Sunday's three-inning effort that included the only baserunner to reach against him the past week. It was via a walk.

Riefenhauser has an 0.73 ERA in seven games with five hits allowed and 10 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.

Pederson was 11-for-27 with seven runs scored and five RBIs over the last seven days. On Wednesday, he homered twice in the Lookouts' 5-4 win over Birmingham.

Pederson is hitting .318 in 17 games with team highs with five home runs and 12 RBIs.

Biscuits to face major leaguer Garza

The Biscuits will face a major leaguer Wednesday.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza, formerly of the Rays, will make a rehab start for the Tennessee Smokies.

Garza, 29, has been down with a strained back suffered during spring training. The right-hander was 34-33 with a 3.86 ERA from 2008-10 for Tampa Bay and threw the first no-hitter in Rays history July 26, 2010.


Garza went to the Cubs in January 2011 in a trade that sent pitcher Chris Archer, catcher Robinson Chirinos, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee and outfielders Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer to the Rays. The Cubs also added former Biscuits outfielder Fernando Perez and pitcher Zac Rosscup.

Today's Rays pitchers: Hot Rods go to 6 starters

Taylor Guerrieri starts tonight for the Hot Rods, who are moving to a six-man rotation, according to the Bowling Green Daily News. That explains why Guerrieri didn't start Sunday like had been scheduled.


Also, right-hander Jesse Hahn goes for the Stone Crabs. He's given up six hits with 11 strikeouts over nine shutout innings in his first three starts.

DUR off
MGM (Merrill Kelly 1-1, 3.65) at Tennessee (Eric Jokisch 2-0, 1.00), 6:15
CHA (Jesse Hahn 0-0, 1.00) vs. St. Lucie (Marcos Camarena 0-1, 8.31), 5:30
BWG (Taylor Guerrieri 0-0, 0.00) vs. Fort Wayne (Zach Eflin 0-1, 4.50), 7:05

Ranking the Rays ... Riefenhauser, Acosta, Toles

For Sunday ...

1. C.J. Riefenhauser, MGM: 3 no-hit innings, walk
2. Mayo Acosta, MGM: 2-run HR, 2b, 4 RBIs, 2 runs
3. Andrew Toles, BWG: 2b, 1b, walk, steal, 2 runs
4. Bruedlin Suero, CHA: 3 shutout, hit, 2 Ks
5. Kevin Kiermaier, MGM: 3 1b's, walk, steal, CS, run

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Sunday's Rays roundup

Norfolk 8, Bulls 4
Mike Fontenot singled, walked twice and scored. Alex Colome's 5 2/3 innings included four runs, seven hits, two walks, three strikeouts and three wild pitches.

St. Lucie 1, Stone Crabs 0
Steve Tinoco had two of the Crabs' six hits, all singles. Felipe Rivero gave up a run on four hits in four innings with seven strikeouts. Bruedlin Suero's three innings had just one hit.

Hot Rods 7, Dayton 5
Patrick Leonard hit a two-run single in the ninth. His bases-loaded walk started the scoring in a four-run eighth. Andrew Toles doubled, singled, walked, stole and scored twice. Reinaldo Lopez and Marcus Jensen each threw two shutout innings.

Sunday: Biscuits 9, Smokies 6 (11)

Mikie Mahtook's RBI triple capped a three-run rally that pushed the Biscuits to a 9-6, 11-inning win over the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday in Sevierville, Tenn.

Montgomery snapped the tie with an infield groundball.

With runners on second and third, Ty Morrison hit a grounder to second baseman Ronald Torreyes, who committed a throwing error. Kevin Kiermaier and Riccio Torrez scored on the play.

Riccio was part of the Biscuits' game-tying, two-run rally in the eighth.

Mayo Acosta hit a two-out double that scored Cameron Seitzer from first base. Torrez, pinch-hitting for Greg Sexton, singled in Acosta to tie it 6-6. Acosta, who hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, finished with four RBIs and scored twice.

Left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser threw three no-hit innings with a walk to pick up the victory. Riefenhauser has thrown 7 1/3 hitless innings over his last three appearances and has a streak of 9 1/3 shutout innings.

LHP activated when Hak goes on DL

The Durham Bulls have put shortstop Hak-Ju Lee on the disabled list and activated left-handed reliever Jeff Beliveau.

Today's Rays pitchers: Guerrieri missing start

Taylor Guerrieri isn't taking his regular turn in Bowling Green's rotation and won't start today's game at Dayton.

The right-hander was listed as today's probable starter on the Hot Rods' pregame notes Saturday, but Eduar Quinonez was listed on the team's postgame release Saturday night.

The Rays have been highly protective of Guerrieri, one of their top prospects who is with his first full-season team. The 20-year-old has thrown just seven innings in two starts. He's given up two hits and no runs.

Quinonez pitched in relief in Guerrieri's last start April 14.

DUR (Alex Colome 1-1, 0.56) vs. Norfolk (Jair Jurrjens (0-1, 2.60), 4:05
MGM (Merrill Kelly 1-1, 3.65) at Tennessee (Alberto Cabrera 2-1, 4.00), 1
CHA (Felipe Rivero 1-2, 8.10) vs. St. Lucie (Hansel Robles 1-1, 3.45), 4:30
BWG (Eduar Quinonez 1-1, 12.27) at Dayton (Wandy Peralta 0-2, 8.10), 2

UPDATE: Guerrieri is scheduled to start Monday when the Hot Rods host Fort Wayne, according to team's pregame Sunday notes.

Ranking the Rays ... Belnome, Bierman, DePew

For Saturday ...


1. Vince Belnome, DUR: HR, 2 2b's, walk, 3 runs, 3 RBIs in DH
2. Sean Bierman, BWG: 5 innings, 1 hit, 2 runs (1 earned), walk, 6 Ks
3. Jake DePew, CHA: 2 1b's, walk, 2 RBIs
4. Jake Hager, CHA: 1b, 2 walks, 2 runs, error
5. Joey Rickard, BWG: 3b, 1b, walk, 2 caught stealings

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Saturday's Rays roundup

Bulls 10, Norfolk 4 (Game 1)
Hak-Ju Lee singled and scored twice before his knee injury. Leslie Anderson hit a two-run home run and had three RBIs. Mike Fontenot doubled and walked twice. Chris Gimenez walked twice. Chris Archer gave up three runs (two earned) over five innings. Every Durham starter scored at least once.

Bulls 5, Norfolk 3 (Game 2)
Vince Belnome doubled, homered, had two RBIs and scored twice. Wil Myers homered and walked. Alex Torres had eight strikeouts and four walks, giving up three runs on one hit in five innings.

Stone Crabs 7, Jupiter 4
Jake Hager singled, walked twice and scored twice. Jake DePew singled twice, walked and had two RBIs. Parker Markel lasted just 3 2/3 innings. Eliazer Suero threw 2 2/3 shutout innings.

Dayton 6, Hot Rods 3
Joey Rickard tripled, singled, walked, RBI'd and was caught thieving twice. Tommy Coyle walked twice. Andrew Toles homered. Sean Bierman worked five innings, giving up one earned run on one hit with a walk and six strikeouts.

Hak-Ju Lee down with major knee injury

Former Biscuits shortstop Hak-Ju Lee suffered a major knee injury Saturday with Triple-A Durham. According to reports, he's headed to Florida for further tests, though his season is likely over.

Saturday: Smokies 11, Biscuits 4

Arismendy Alcantara, the third batter of the game, hit a three-run home run to spark the Tennessee Smokies to an 11-4 win over the Biscuits on Saturday.


Matt Szczur hit a solo home run, finished with three RBIs and scored twice, while Johermyn Chavez also knocked in three runs for Tennessee, which has won five straight.

The Smokies scored seven runs on eight hits in four innings against Biscuits starter Jake Thompson.

Nevarez joins Biscuits from extended spring

Reliever Matt Nevarez has been activated from the Biscuits' disabled list after spending the season's first two weeks at the Tampa Bay Rays' extended spring training program.


Nevarez had an 0.57 ERA in nine games with high-Class A Charlotte last year after the Rays signed him from an independent team. He gave up one run in three games/2 2/3 innings with the Biscuits.

Today's Rays pitchers

Durham's Chris Archer and Bowling Green's Sean Bierman will both try to become the first Tampa Bay minor leaguer to reach three wins when they start today.

DUR (Chris Archer 2-0, 4.20/Alex Torres 1-0, 0.00) vs. Norfolk (Josh Stinson 1-0, 0.77/Zach Clark 0-1, 5.52), 4:05
MGM (Jake Thompson 1-1, 6.30) at Tennessee (Dallas Beeler 0-2, 4.67), 5:15
CHA (Parker Markel 0-2, 7.36) at Jupiter (Jose Urena 1-1, 2.63), 5:35
BWG (Sean Bierman 2-0, 0.00) at Dayton (Robert Stephenson 0-2, 7.11), 6

Ranking the Rays ... Carpenter, Price, Torrez

For Friday ...


1. Ryan Carpenter, CHA: 7 innings, 1 run, 4 hits, walk, 10 Ks
2. Robby Price, MGM: 2-run HR, 1b, 2 walks, 3 RBIs, 3 runs
3. Riccio Torrez, MGM: 2b, 2 1b's, hbp, walk, 3 runs, RBI
4. Tommy Coyle, BWG: 2b, 2 1b's, 2 steals, run
5. Shawn O'Malley, MGM: 2 2b's, 2 RBIs, 3 runs

Morning reading

The Biscuits wouldn't mind a nightly 12-run inning (who wouldn't?) after dropping a dozen in the third Friday vs. Mobile. Plus, Jimmy Patterson heads south and Kevin Kiermaier enjoys rolling into third.

And, after filing those stories Friday night, there was the high school baseball playoff scoreboard waiting.

Friday's Rays roundup

Norfolk at Bulls
Rained out.

Stone Crabs 2, Jupiter 1
Ryan Carpenter whiffed 10 over seven innings, giving up one run on four hits and a walk. Jeff Malm singled twice and scored.

Hot Rods 5, Dayton 2
Tommy Coyle doubled, singled twice, stole twice and scored. Dylan Floro allowed two runs in five innings. Brandon Henderson and Nick Sawyer each threw two shutout innings.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Friday: Biscuits 16, BayBears 7

The Biscuits set a team record by scoring 12 runs in the third inning of Friday's 16-7 win over the Mobile BayBears.

Montgomery sent 16 batters to the plate in the inning. Though they had just seven hits, the Biscuits took advantage of three walks, two hit batsmen and an error.

Robby Price had three RBIs and was one of four Biscuits to score three times. He drew a bases-loaded walk and hit a two-run home run in the third inning. He also walked and scored in the seventh.

Starter Victor Mateo took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up three runs on two hits.

Biscuits set record with 12-run inning

The Biscuits set a team record by scoring 12 runs in the third inning of tonight's game with Mobile. Here are the most properous (and preposterous) innings in their history ...

BEST INNINGS
12 runs -- third inning, April 19, 2013, vs. Mobile: TBA

10 -- sixth inning, May 26, 2012, vs. Jackson: W, 16-3
10 -- sixth inning, Aug. 12, 2011, at Carolina: W, 12-7

9 -- third inning, June 6, 2011, vs. Mississippi: W, 15-2
9 -- fifth inning, May 19, 2008, vs. Tennessee: W, 11-5
9 -- first inning, Aug. 28, 2007, vs. Carolina (DH1): W, 9-1
9 -- third inning, June 19, 2005, at Jacksonville: W, 20-2 (Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young both hit grand slams)
9 -- ninth inning, Aug. 12, 2005, at Mobile: W, 13-1

8 -- second inning, July 26, 2010, vs. Carolina: W, 11-4
8 -- sixth inning, May 14, 2008, at Mississippi: W, 11-10 (10) (Biscuits trailed 10-0 entering inning)
8 -- third inning, July 25, 2008, at Tennessee: W, 9-8
8 -- third inning, July 16, 2006, vs. Carolina: W, 12-1
8 -- eighth inning, July 22, 2004, at Tennessee: W, 18-6

WORST INNING
13 -- eighth inning, May 26, 2005, vs. Jacksonville: L, 19-2 (Jose Diaz surrendered nine runs without recording an out)

Patterson returning to Florida

Biscuits pitcher Jimmy Patterson heads to Port Charlotte, Fla., on Saturday for Tampa Bay's extended spring training program. He's going to continue rehab on the ailing oblique that has sidelined him since April 7.

Patterson said he's scheduled to soon start a throwing program and going to Florida is a step toward returning.

"They'll be able to monitor me better down there and they'll have more trainers to help instead of (Biscuits trainer Kris Russell) getting overworked," Patterson said. "I don't want to go, but as long as I'm getting close to 100 percent ..."

Friday's lineups

Weather-permitting, tonight's 7:05 game will be the series finale between the Biscuits and Mobile BayBears.

BISCUITS
Ty Morrison lf (left)
Robby Price 2b (left)
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann dh
Mark Thomas c
Riccio Torrez 3b
Kevin Kiermaier cf (left)
Shawn O'Malley ss (switch)
Victor Mateo rhp

BAYBEARS
Ender Inciarte cf (left)
Michael Freeman 2b (left)
Nick Evans dh
Jon Griffin 1b
Brent Clevlen rf
Garrett Weber 3b
David Nick lf
Humberto Cota c
Nick Ahmed ss
Bradin Hagens rhp

Today's Rays pitchers

Left-hander Alex Torres tries to extend his 11-inning scoreless streak today against Norfolk. He's given up just four hits and has struck out 11.
DUR (Alex Torres 1-0, 0.00) vs. Norfolk (Josh Stinson 1-0, 0.77), 6:05
MGM (Victor Mateo 0-2, 9.64) vs. Mobile (Bradin Hagens 2-0, 1.93), 7:05
CHA (Ryan Carpenter 1-0, 0.75) at Jupiter (Jake Esch 0-1, 0.00), 5:35
BWG (Dylan Floro 0-0, 0.00) at Dayton (Sal Romano 1-1, 2.31), 6

Ranking the Rays ... Bourgeois, Snell, Riefenhauser

For Thursday ...

1. Jason Bourgeois, DUR: 2b, 2 1b's, 2 steals, 2 runs
2. Blake Snell, BWG: 5 shutout, 2 hits, 4 walks, 11 GBO
3. C.J. Riefenhauser, MGM: 2 perfect innings, 4 Ks
4. Kevin Kiermaier, MGM: 2 3b's, 1b
5. Cameron Seitzer, MGM: 2 2b's, walk

Morning reading: Mahtook hurdles wall after catch

Biscuits right fielder Mikie Mahtook had no previous hurdling experience when he jumped over a wall at Riverwalk Stadium after a catch Wednesday. Plus, the quoteless details of Thursday's loss to Mobile.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Biscuits have had 13 games reach 13 innings

Your longest games in Biscuits history ...

15 innings
July 31, 2010: at Mobile, W 5-4

14 innings
June 12, 2009: Chattanooga, W 5-4
July 17, 2010: at Tennessee, W 5-4
July 16, 2012: Mobile, L 8-7

13 innings
June 27, 2004: at Birmingham, W 2-1
May 5, 2006: Mississippi, L 8-7
July 3, 2007: Birmingham, L 7-6
Sept. 3, 2007: at Jacksonville, W 7-3
June 13, 2008: Mobile, W 1-0
April 13, 2009: West Tenn, L 6-5
April 9, 2010: Mobile, L 9-3
April 14, 2012: at Mississippi, W 4-3
April 18, 2013: Mobile, L 8-4

Thursday: BayBears 8, Biscuits 4 (13)

Brett Lorin threw three shutout innings and the Mobile BayBears scored four runs in the 13th inning to beat the Biscuits 8-4 on Thursday.

With one out in the 13th, the BayBears loaded the bases with singles by Ender Inciarte and Michael Freeman and a walk to Nick Evans. Jon Griffin's flyout brought in Inciarte before Brent Clevlen hit an RBI double and Garrett Weber a two-run single.

Lorin worked out of trouble in both the 10th and 11th innings.

In the 10th, Cameron Seitzer hit a one-out double and Lorin intentionally walked Todd Glaesmann. Riccio Torrez grounded into an inning-ending double play.

In the 11th, Mayo Acosta hit a leadoff double and went to third on Kevin Kiermaier's sacrifice bunt. After Shawn O'Malley was hit by a pitch, he went to second on Mobile's indifference.

Ty Morrison laid down a bunt directly back to Lorin, which forced Acosta to remain at third while Lorin threw out Morrison at first. Robi Estrada's groundout ended the threat.

Kiermaier ties Biscuits record with 2 triples

Kevin Kiermaier has two triples tonight for the Biscuits, which ties a team record.

Kiermaier tripled in the second and seventh innings. Ty Morrison hit the team's record-tying third triple in the eighth.

Fernando Cortez vs. Mobile on June 4, 2005
Elijah Dukes at Jacksonville on July 9, 2005
Jason Pridie at West Tenn on May 13, 2007
Reid Brignac vs. Jacksonville on June 15, 2007
Johnny Raburn vs. West Tenn on Aug. 4, 2008
Jason Bowers at West Tenn on June 17, 2009
Kevin Kiermaier vs. Mobile on April 18, 2013

Thursday's Rays roundup

Bulls 5, Charlotte 2
Jason Bourgeois doubled, singled twice, stole twice, scored twice and RBI'd. Wil Myers singled twice, including an RBI hit in the seventh before leaving for a pinch runner (fouled ball off foot). Rich Thompson doubled, singled, walked and RBI'd.

Jupiter 5, Stone Crabs 0
Richie Shaffer, Kyeong Kang and Curt Casali singled twice. Moving on.

Hot Rods 6, Great Lakes 0
Blake Snell's five innings included two hits and four walks. Three relievers finished a three-hitter. Ben Kline doubled, had two RBIs and scored. Joey Rickard singled, walked and RBI'd.

Thursday's lineups

It's the fourth game of a five-game series between the Biscuits and Mobile BayBears. 7:05 start, too.

BISCUITS
Ty Morrison lf (left)
Robby Price 2b (left)
Mikie Mahtook dh
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann rf
Riccio Torrez 3b
Mayo Acosta c
Kevin Kiermaier cf (left)
Shawn O'Malley ss (switch)
Enny Romero lhp

BAYBEARS
Ender Inciarte cf
Michael Freeman 2b (left)
Nick Evans 3b
Jon Griffin 1b
Brent Clevlen rf
Garrett Weber dh
Ryan Stovall lf
Rossmel Perez c (left)
Nick Ahmed ss
Anthony Meo rhp

Today's Rays pitchers

All four of Tampa Bay's minor league starters today are trying for their first win.

DUR (Jake Odorizzi 0-0, 3.00) vs. Charlotte (Matt Zaleski 1-0, 3.27), 10:05 a.m.
MGM (Enny Romero 0-0, 6.48) vs. Mobile (Anthony Meo 0-0, 4.50), 7:05
CHA (Roberto Gomez 0-2, 8.00) at Jupiter (Anthony DeSclafani 0-1, 0.00), 5:35
BWG (Blake Snell 0-1, 4.91) at Great Lakes (Lindsey Caughel 0-0, 0.00), 5:05

Ranking the Rays ... Beckham, Hahn, Vettleson

For Wednesday ...


1. Tim Beckham, DUR: 2b, 1b, 3 RBIs
2. Jesse Hahn, CHA: 3 shutout, 1 hit, no walks, 6 Ks
3. Drew Vettleson, CHA: 2b, 1b, walk, RBI
4. Shawn O'Malley, MGM: 3b, 1b, 2 RBIs, picked off
5. Lenny Linsky, CHA: 2 perfect, K

Morning reading: Quate not in fashion

Biscuits reliever Zach Quate joined the team last weekend with only the clothes on his back, while Shawn O'Malley had the big hit and the bullpen did good work in Wednesday's win over the Mobile BayBears.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Wednesday: Biscuits 3, BayBears 2

Shawn O'Malley's two-run triple capped a three-run second inning that led the Biscuits to a 3-2 win over the Mobile BayBears on Wednesday.

Right-hander Merrill Kelly, in Montgomery's rotation only because of another player's injury, took a no-hitter into the fourth inning. He gave up two runs on three hits in five innings.

The BayBears failed to get a runner into scoring position against relievers Andrew Bellatti, Marquis Fleming and Juan Sandoval. Bellatti retired all three batters he faced. Sandoval came on with a runner on first and two outs in the eighth before retiring all four batters he faced.

In the second, Cameron Seitzer hit a leadoff double before Todd Glaesmann reached on a bunt single. A Mark Thomas flyout brought home Seitzer. With two outs, Kevin Kiermaier hit an infield single before O'Malley tripled down the right-field line.

Wednesday's Rays roundup

Bulls 6, Charlotte 2
Tim Beckham doubled, singled and knocked in three runs. Hak-Ju Lee singled, walked twice and scored. Vince Belnome singled thrice and scored. Brandon Guyer doubled and scored.

Stone Crabs 5, St. Lucie 2
Drew Vettleson doubled, singled, walked and RBI'd. Richie Shaffer and Alejandro Segovia hit solo home runs. Jesse Hahn's three shutout innings included one hit, no walks and six strikeouts. Lenny Linsky threw two perfect frames.

Hot Rods at Great Lakes
Rainout.

Wednesday's lineups

Game 3 of the Biscuits-BayBears series begins at 7:05 tonight.

BISCUITS
Ty Morrison cf (left)
Robby Price 2b (left)
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b (left)
Todd Glaesmann lf
Mark Thomas c
Riccio Torrez 3b
Kevin Kiermaier dh (left)
Shawn O'Malley ss (switch)
Merrill Kelly rhp

BAYBEARS
Ender Inciarte cf
Michael Freeman 2b (left)
Nick Evans dh
Jon Griffin 1b
Brent Clevlen rf
Garrett Weber 3b
David Nick lf
Rossmel Perez c (left)
Nick Ahmed ss
Zeke Spruill rhp

Today's Rays pitchers

Right-hander Jesse Hahn makes his third start today for the Stone Crabs. He has thrown six shutout innings in his first two starts, including three no-hit innings in his season debut.


DUR (J.D. Martin 0-1, 6.23) vs. Charlotte (Simon Castro 0-1, 5.25), 6:05
MGM (Merrill Kelly 0-1, 3.68) vs. Mobile (Zeke Spruill 0-2, 2.45), 7:05
CHA (Jesse Hahn 0-0, 1.50) at St. Lucie, 5:30
BWG (Blake Snell 0-1, 4.91) at Great Lakes (Lindsey Caughel 0-0, 0.00), 5:05

Ranking the Rays ... Molina, Ames, Toles

For Tuesday ...

1. Jose Molina, BWG: 3 no-hit innings, walk, 2 Ks, 5 GBO
2. Jeff Ames, BWG: 5 shutout, 1 hit, no walks, 8 Ks
3. Andrew Toles, BWG: 3b, 2 1b's, RBI
4. Mark Thomas, MGM: grand slam, HBP, 2 runs, error
5. Hak-Ju Lee, DUR: 1b, 2 walks, steal

Morning reading: Thomas back, Riefenhauser perfect

Mark Thomas' first-inning grand slam sparked the Biscuits over Mobile on Tuesday, while C.J. Riefenhauser continued his hot start with 2 1/3 perfect innings.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Tuesday's Rays roundup

Charlotte 2, Bulls 1
Alex Colome gave up one earned runs in five innings. He walked four and struck out seven. Steve Geltz threw two perfect innings with four strikeouts. Wil Myers tripled, singled and scored.

St. Lucie 13, Stone Crabs 3
Taylor Motter singled, walked and stole twice. Alejandro Segovia hit a two-run home run.

Hot Rods 2, Great Lakes 0
Jeff Ames, Jose Molina and Ryan Garton combined on a one-hitter. Ames gave up the hit (a second-inning double), walked none and struck out eight. Molina (2-0) worked three innings with a walk. Andrew Toles singled twice, tripled and RBI'd.

Beliveau traded from Rangers to Rays

The Rays picked up left-handed pitcher Jeff Beliveau from the Rangers in exchange for "cash considerations" today. Beliveau is going to Triple-A Durham. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays moved Jeff Niemann to the 60-day disabled list.

The Rays are now in arrears to the Rangers. Beliveau is the second player in the last week added by Tampa Bay from Texas for "cash considerations." Catcher Juan Apodaca is also at Durham.

Tampa Bay also sent a player, catcher Robinson Chirinos, to the Rangers this month for a player that has not been named.

Tuesday: Biscuits 9, BayBears 3

Mark Thomas hit his first career grand slam -- and the 26th in Biscuits history -- to lead Montgomery in a 9-3 win over the Mobile BayBears on Tuesday.

Thomas' first-inning blast was his first home run of the season. Greg Sexton also hit his first homer in the sixth inning, while Riccio Torrez cracked his second, a two-run shot, in the eighth.

Starter Matt Buschmann worked 5 2/3 innings for the win. He served up a solo home run to Nick Evans in the first inning before Mobile scored twice off him in the fifth.

Reliever C.J. Riefenhauser retired all seven batters he faced. Thomas and Shawn O'Malley scored twice for Montgomery, which snapped a four-game losing streak.

Reliever Ramsey joins Hot Rods

Right-handed reliever Matt Ramsey has been promoted from the Rays' extended spring program to low-Class A Bowling Green.

That follows left-hander Shay Crawford's move from the Hot Rods to high-Class A Charlotte, which followed Andrew Bellatti's move to the Biscuits, which followed Albert Suarez's move to Montgomery's disabled list.

(Ramsey is a former Tennessee Vol, and I hear they're usually not welcome in the state of Kentucky.)

Tuesday's bright-and-early lineups

Arrived just in time for a bright-and-early, 10:35 start.

BISCUITS

Ty Morrison cf
Shawn O'Malley ss
Mikie Mahtook rf
Cameron Seitzer 1b
Todd Glaesmann lf
Mark Thomas c
Riccio Torrez 3b
Greg Sexton dh
Robi Estrada ss
Matt Buschmann rhp

BAYBEARS
Michael Freeman 2b
David Nick lf
Nick Evans 3b
Jon Griffin 1b
Brent Clevlen dh
Ryan Stovall rf
Humberto Cota c
Nickk Ahmed ss
Justin Greene cf
David Holmberg lhp