BISCUIT CRUMBS: June 2007

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Knock, knock

It's time to go check on the restroom door behind the visiting dugout to see what's changed. The Biscuits open a four-game series tonight against the Birmingham Barons. It's Montgomery's shortest homestand of the year.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, dh
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Patrick Breen, lf
Matt Spring, c
Chris Mason, rhp

BARONS
Sean Smith, cf
Victor Mercedes, ss
Adam Shabala, rf
Thomas Collaro, dh
Shawn Garrett, 1b
Chris Kelly, 3b
Ricardo Nanita, lf
Donny Lucy, c
Michael Myers, 2b
Jack Egbert, rhp

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(42-40, second place, 4.5 GB)
OF Jeremy Owens is 14-of-36 in his last 12 games with eight runs scored and eight RBIs. He has a .239 average this year.
RHP Jeff Niemann won his fifth straight start Friday, giving up one earned run over six innings.
RHP Richard De Los Santos threw 3.1 shutout innings Wednesday. He has a 4.61 ERA in five appearances.
CF Jason Pridie has a .227 average after six games. He homered in his debut last weekend.
RHP Jae Seo allowed 12 hits and nine runs over 3.2 innings Wednesday. He allowed three home runs.
RHP Tony Peguero’s four innings Thursday included nine hits, four homers and 11 runs allowed.
C Joshua Johnson pitched a scoreless inning Thursday. He’s hitting .246.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(3-6, fifth place, 2.5 GB)
DH Sergio Pedroza has an eight-game hitting streak, pushing his season average to .266.
RHP Mike Wlodarczyk has lost his last three starts and is 4-4 with a 3.81 ERA.
LHP Jake McGee lost Wednesday, giving up six runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings.
3B Pat Cottrell is hitting .276 with eight homers and 36 RBIs.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(6-2, first place, 0.5 GA)
1B Matt Fields has five home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games. This year, he has a .231 average and 100 strikeouts in 73 games.
RHP Wade Townsend gave up one hit in seven shutout innings Tuesday, walking two and striking out eight.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson has allowed a home run in each of his last three appearances, his first three homers of the season. He won Thursday and is 5-2 with a 2.73 ERA.
RHP Heath Rollins is 8-3 with a 2.89 ERA.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
(4-7, fourth place, 4 GB)
RHP Alex Cobb has allowed eight hits in 15 innings. He’s 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA.
CF Emeel Salem has a .325 on-base percentage and is 7-of-7 on steals.
OF Angel Fermin has a .400 average and six RBIs.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
(4-4, fourth place, 1.5 GB)
SS Omar Luna has a .394 average and five extra-base hits.
Seven players combined for eight errors in Monday’s 20-6 loss to Elizabethton.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
RHP Carlos Hines won Thursday for Class AAA Fresno (Giants) with three shutout innings. He has a 3.32 ERA in 12 appearances.
RHP Jim Magrane allowed one run over six innings to win Wednesday with Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals). He had been at Class AAA Columbus the previous month, where he was 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in four appearances.
3B Rico Washington went on the disabled list at Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals) after re-aggravating a knee injury last weekend. He’s hitting .315.
3B Jace Brewer has a .233 average in 13 games for Class AAA Omaha (Royals).
RHP Dewon Brazelton picked up his first win for Class AA Altoona (Pirates) on Thursday, allowing three hits and one run in five innings. He’s 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA.
RHP Willie Glen is 6-0 with a 4.00 ERA at independent Gary. He’s totaled 15 walks, 65 strikeouts and a .245 average against in 63 innings.
1B Jose Velazquez has a .276 average with the independent Grays of the Can-Am League.
OF Francisco Leandro has a .460 on-base percentage and 29 runs scored in 31 games at independent New Jersey.
OF Amado German is hitting .286 for independent Edinburg.

Brazell gets All-Star treatment

It didn't take long to find something I missed. I looked for this Thursday, but I apparently looked too early.

Montgomery native Craig Brazell, who leads the entire minor leagues in home runs, has been picked to play in the Triple-A All-Star Game. Brazell, a Jeff Davis High graduate, is with Omaha in the Kansas City Royals' system.

Brazell was a Southern League All-Star last year when he was with Jacksonville and even won the home run derby at Riverwalk Stadium.

This year's Class AAA game is July 11 in Albuquerque.

Finally home

I went 1-for-3. Fitful night of sleep last night, so I didn't get out of the hotel until 11 a.m. EDT. Hit Guilford Courthouse an hour later and went for the full experience, which took me 2 1/2 hours. Thought I could cover the 100 miles to Kings Mountain in 1 1/2 hours, but a decent rainstorm just this side of Greensboro, an inconvenient construction zone at Kannapolis and a nice helping of Charlotte traffic derailed that.

Instead, perused a book store to get my mind off traffic and rest. I did drive up to Kings Mountain about an hour after the park closed. Took a detour to Clemson -- I dispute the contention that Clemson is "Auburn with a lake." It's Starkville, at best. Sat down for some quality dining at a Denny's before crossing Atlanta.

Huge accident on I-85/75 North that had traffic backed up for miles, so I felt fortunate I was headed south. Just got home. The 550-mile route took me a mere 15 1/2 hours. Now, what did I miss?

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Postcard from Durham

Dear everyone,

Just finishing up a three-day visit to Durham to see the Bulls, interview for a story or two and play tourist (the N.C. State History Museum, Raleigh City Museum and N.C. state capitol were today's highlights, not the 12-0 whipping the Bulls just took).

Beautiful ballpark and surrounding area that is budding with construction. They're about 10 years into what Montgomery dreams of for the Riverwalk Stadium area here. I'd give the field here at Durham Bulls Athletic Park the advantage over Riverwalk, but Riverwalk's open concourse has a decided edge. The outside of the stadium isn't comparable and the disparity will grow soon. City has similarities to Montgomery.

Players are still their old selves and reacted accordingly when they saw me. "What are you doing here?" was a popular sentence. Charlie Montoyo and Jason Pridie were the only ones forewarned of the trip.

Driving back tomorrow and I have a challenging agenda. I'm going to attempt to hit three Revolutionary War historical sites: Guilford Courthouse, Kings Mountain and Cowpens.

See you soon,
-Stacy

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Niemann an IL All-Star

Durham pitcher Jeff Niemann, who played for the Biscuits the last two years, was picked to play for the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

The team also features Chris Booker, a pitcher for Columbus (Ohio) who is from Monroeville, and Ryan Raburn, the brother of former Biscuit Johnny Raburn.

The game is July 11 in Albuquerque.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

How I voted -- North edition

Here's who received my vote for the Southern League's North Division All-Stars. I guess I picked pretty well. I missed on two. I didn't have Tennessee's Matt Craig on my list, but I did vote for Chattanooga pitcher Richie Gardner.

Catcher (2)
Lou Palmisano, Huntsville
Ryan Hanigan, Chattanooga
First base
Steve Sollmann, Huntsville
Second base
Drew Anderson, Chattanooga
Third base
Lee Mitchell, Carolina
Shortstop
Chase Lambin, Carolina
Outfielder (4)
Josh Kroeger, Tennessee
Brendan Katin, Huntsville
Jorge Cortes, Tennessee
Prentice Redman, West Tenn
DH
Jake Fox, Tennessee
Infield utility
Matt Tuiasosopo, West Tenn
Outfield utility
Sam Fuld, Tennessee

Starting pitcher (2)
Mark Holliman, Tennessee (decision made before Thursday’s no-hitter)
Manny Parra, Huntsville
Pitcher (2)
Richie Gardner, Chattanooga
Geoffrey Jones, Tennessee
Reliever
Mark DiFelice, Huntsville
Closer
Marino Salas, Huntsville

Monday, June 25, 2007

Longoria wins weekly award

Montgomery third baseman Evan Longoria won the Southern League's weekly hitting award Monday. Longoria was 12-for-28 with seven runs scored and eight RBIs this week. He homered twice.

Tennessee's Mark Holliman won the pitcher's award. He only threw a no-hitter to do it. Holliman might have been a good choice for Longoria's award since he also hit a two-run homer during his no-hitter.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Ode to Jeff Laubenthal

I'll write this one in honor of the outfielder-turned-doctor who broke the lock on the dugout bathroom door when I was in college. (Since you will probably Google that name to see what school it is, let me add that I'd find it greatly entertaining if the school's football team -- and its chief rival -- were winless until playing each other.)

Jeff Laubenthal was in school on an academic scholarship and technically was a walk-on baseball player. That distinction that didn't allow his stellar GPA to count toward the team's total, which frustrated the head coach because the coach was partly judged on the team GPA. Smart guy, despite his love for the New York Yankees.

One day, probably 1992, he wasn't pleased after an at-bat and let his temper get the better of him. He stormed to the bathroom -- and the door was in full view of my seat in the press box. I remember hearing the door slam and not thinking much else about it. At the end of that half-inning, it was obvious there was a problem.

There was no left fielder and people were moving toward the door. They tried to knock it open ... and tried and tried to no avail. It wasn't too long until someone grabbed a glove and headed to left field, exiling Laubenthal from the game.

A few batters later, the door finally gave way and Laubenthal walked free. He hurridly went to the coach and asked if he was out of the game. He wasn't smiling when he got to the coach, but fully disclosed his plea after the game with a smile on his face. He understood how dumb it sounded.

Me: "Yes, there's this substitution rule that baseball has had for about 100 years. It says once you leave a game, you can't return."

Laubenthal: "I thought there might be an exception for something like getting locked in the bathroom."

That fall, he captained one team in the annual intrasquad series. The Laubey's Legion-Jerry's Kids matchup featured some of the best in-print trash talk I've ever written. Laubenthal graduated the next spring, married a gymnast and became a doctor.

I last saw Laubey at a 1996 NCAA baseball regional. I wrote a story about him -- the former player-turned-doctor angle is a good one, you have to admit -- and, of course, spent much of the story on his bathroom break. He still laughed about it.

It was something I never thought I'd see again. Thank you, Matt Elliott.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Bathroom troubles

It's the middle of the ninth and we're in for a small delay. Mobile manager Brett Butler has went to the umpires who are now going to Biscuits manager Billy Gardner.

Here's the deal: Mobile pitcher Matt Elliott is locked in the bathroom.

Elliot went into the bathroom just behind the Mobile dugout after allowing a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. He slammed the door with such force that it broke the door.

I've seen this before. When I was in college and covering the school's baseball team for the school paper, an outfielder -- smart one, too -- pulled off the same feat. When they finally got the door open, he asked if he was out of the game. He told me later he wondered if there was some exception to the substitution rule for that. He's now a doctor.

The BayBears are simply going to bring in a new reliever, though fans are huddled near the tunnel to check on the bathroom proceedings. Mark Rosen is in the game.

I've got it as a nine-minute bathroom door delay. Unofficially, the official scorer is calling it an eight-minute delay.

UPDATE: Elliott was freed about 10:40, 20 minutes after the game ended. He was not pleased with his lot in life Saturday.

Andrus to join Biscuits

Outfielder Erold Andrus has been promoted from Class A Vero Beach to the Biscuits and will take Jason Pridie's roster spot. Andrus will join the Biscuits in Mississippi.

The 22-year-old had a .267 average, eight home runs and 28 RBIs with Vero. He scored 38 runs.

See-you-later Saturday

The Biscuits, fresh off gorging on the tasty Brignac family jambalaya this afternoon (I can personally attest to its tastiness), finish their 11-game homestand tonight. The team also signs autographs for an hour before the game.

Reid Brignac's family has treated the team at least twice since his arrival, but today marked the jambalaya's Riverwalk debut. They also invited the Biscuits Booster Club. The two previous feasts were at Mississippi, close to the family homestead near Baton Rouge, La. (Personal note: It's obvious where Reid's friendly nature comes from. Good people.)

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Chris Nowak, 1b
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Matt Spring, c
Patrick Breen, lf
James Houser, lhp

BAYBEARS
Emilio Bonifacio, 2b
Wilkin Castillo, c
Justin Upton, cf
Javier Brito, 1b
Carlos Gonzalez, rf
Chris Rahl, lf
Phil Avlas, dh
Cesar Nicolas, 3b
Ronnie Merrill, ss
Brooks Brown, rhp

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(38-37, second place, 5.5 GB)
3B Joel Guzman is hitting .379 with 13 RBIs and nine runs scored in his last 16 games. He hit three home runs in a four-game span this week. Guzman has a .252 average, 11 homers and 38 RBIs this season.
RHP Jeff Niemann won his third straight start Monday and is 7-4 with a 3.83 ERA this year. He’s struck out 82 in 82.1 innings.
RHP Mitch Talbot allowed one run over 6.1 innings in a no-decision Thursday. He’s 6-6 with a 4.52 ERA.
RHP Jae Seo gave up only one hit over seven shutout innings to win Friday.
SS Ben Zobrist is hitting .237.
1B Brent Butler’s .244 average includes 12 extra-base hits.
OF Jeremy Owens has a .217 average, four homers and 17 RBIs.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(2-0, tied for first)
RHP Josh Butler gave up one run on six hits in his seven-inning debut Thursday. He was 5-1 with a 2.33 ERA at Columbus.
RHP Greg Dupas has allowed one run in his last 11 innings. He’s 4-3 with five saves and a 4.70 ERA this year.
1B Rhyne Hughes has 10 RBIs and seven runs scored in his last nine games.
LHP Jake McGee won Friday for the first time in five starts. He’s 5-2 with a 2.58 ERA.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(1-1, tied for third, 1 GB)
CF Desmond Jennings, who had two hits in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, was 4-for-4 with three doubles and three runs scored in the last game before the All-Star break. He has a .379 on-base percentage, 28 steals and 42 runs scored.
RHP Wade Townsend allowed no earned runs over five innings in a loss Thursday. He’s 4-6 with a 4.40 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 61.1 innings.
C Nevin Ashley has a .269 average, 32 runs scored and 32 RBIs.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
(1-3, tied for third, 2 GB)
RHP Doug Waechter gave up two runs and four hits over three innings to lose Friday. The former major-leaguer struck out none in his first appearance since offseason shoulder surgery.
CF Emeel Salem is 5-for-5 on steals.
RHP Claudio Rodriguez threw four shutout innings of relief Friday.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
(0-2, fourth place, 2 GB)
RHP Tyree Hayes’ 5.1 innings in Thursday’s season opener included eight hits and five runs.
2B Michael Ross was 3-for-5 Friday.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
3B Dan DeMent was 3-for-5 with a career-high five RBIs Friday at Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals). He has a six-game hit streak and has knocked in eight runs in his last four games.
3B Rico Washington, who was 4-for-5 with five RBIs Monday, is 12-for-22 in his last seven games at Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals). His season totals include a .317 average, seven homers and 23 RBIs.
RHP John Webb threw eight shutout innings to win Wednesday for Class AAA Iowa (Cubs). He allowed three hits. Webb is 2-4 with a 5.13 ERA.
LHP Jason Cromer is 2-5 with a 6.18 ERA with Class AA Wichita (Royals).
C Ryan Christianson has a .208 average for Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals).
UTIL Johnny Raburn is hitting .199 at Class AA Carolina (Marlins).
RHP Willie Glen is 6-0 in nine starts with independent Gary, where he has a 26-8 career record.
OF Francisco Leandro has a .333 average at independent New Jersey. He’s scored 22 runs in 25 games.
OF Joey Gomes has a .333 average for independent Newark.
RHP Franklin Nunez is 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA in nine appearances at independent York.
RHP Chris Flinn is on the disabled list of the Road Warriors in the independent Atlantic League.

Wesley Wright stars in start

Goshen High's Wesley Wright made his first start in three years for the Jacksonville Suns on Friday. He threw five shutout innings, allowing two hits, in the Suns 4-0 win over Carolina in the second game of a doubleheader.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Prochaska ~wins~ complete game

Mike Prochaska has thrown three complete games in his career after Friday's six-hit shutout of the Mobile BayBears. It was his first complete-game win.

Prochaska was a professional rookie Aug. 23, 2002, when he threw a six-inning complete game for Hudson Valley against Oneonta. He allowed five hits and two runs (one earned), walked one and struck out eight.

Prochaska was with the first-year Biscuits on June 6, 2004, when he twirled an eight-inning CG to lose to Greenville. His totals included eight hits, two runs, one walk and two strikeouts.

"It's nice to finally win one," Prochaska cracked. "I was due."

Pridie promoted to Durham

Montgomery outfielder Jason Pridie was promoted to Class AAA Durham on Friday.

Pridie hit .290 in 71 games with the Biscuits with 42 runs scored, 27 extra-base hits and 27 RBIs. He was 14-of-21 on steals.

The 23-year-old was told of his promotion just before Friday's game and pulled out of the starting lineup against the Mobile BayBears.

Dukes to Durham*

Officially, Elijah Dukes is being demoted to Class AAA Durham. The Rays are also putting him on the temporarily inactive list, so he won't have to don a Bulls uniform and ensure an affiliation change after next season.

Not sure how that will be received in Durham, though he'll never go there (*). Not sure how long Tampa Bay can keep Dukes on the TIA list, either.

Dukes to minor leagues

The Rays just announced Elijah Dukes is going to the minor leagues, but they didn't say where.

If they try to send him to Durham, chances are the Rays can look for a new Class AAA affiliate when the current contract ends after next season. The Bulls publicly said Dukes wasn't welcome to return to their team last year.

The Biscuits have never officially expressed such sentiment. However, there's little question he they had problems with him and he wasn't an positive influence in the clubhouse.

Salas throws simulated

Tampa Bay pitcher Juan Salas, in Montgomery to gear up for the end of his 50-game performance-enhancing suspension, threw a 35-pitch simulated game Friday afternoon.

The 35 pitches went for 24 strikes, including only three balls put in play by hitters Matt Spring and Patrick Breen. None of the three would have been a clean hit. One pitch did hit Breen, a left-handed hitter, on the right elbow.

No radar guns used, so no news on the velocity, but Salas is scheduled to start throwing in games next week at Mississippi.

On other fronts, Josh Arhart took a few swings off a tee today in his latest step to rehab a back injury, while Saturday is Autograph Day. Gates open at 5:35 p.m. for the on-field autograph session.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Jason Pridie, lf -- lineup change: Brooks Badeaux (hmm, Durham just lost an outfielder?)
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Mike Prochaska, lhp

BAYBEARS
Emilio Bonifacio, 2b
Jarrel Ball, lf
Justin Upton, cf
Javier Brito, 1b
Carlos Gonzalez, rf
Chris Rahl, dh
Josh Ford, c
Cesar Nicolas, 3b
Ronnie Merrill, ss
Max Scherzer, rhp

Dukes off Tampa Bay roster

Elijah Dukes is off Tampa Bay's roster, but the Rays haven't announced how they disposed of him.

According to the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay hasn't said if Dukes will be designated for assignment or is going on the restricted list. The Rays are having a closed-door team meeting that starts right now (3 p.m. Central).

Dustan Mohr has been promoted from Class AAA Durham. He had to be added to the 40-man roster, so he takes Dukes' spot.

Dukes' locker was cleaned out and his equipment loaded into a storage bin, according to the reports.

UPDATE: Mohr is taking Rocco Baldelli's spot on the 40-man roster. The Rays transferred Baldelli from the 15-day DL to the 60-day. Dukes stays on the 40-man roster.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Thursday blues

Will "speedster" Chris Nowak chance his 10-for-10 success on steals tonight? Will Jon Barratt settle in and be the pitcher that showed so much promise last year in the California League? Issues to consider for tonight's fourth game of a six-game series against Mobile.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, dh
Jason Pridie, rf
Chris Nowak, 1b
Patrick Breen, lf
Matt Spring, c
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Jon Barratt, lhp

BAYBEARS
Emilio Bonifacio, 2b
Wilkin Castillo, dh
Justin Upton, cf
Javier Brito, 1b
Carlos Gonzalez, rf
Chris Rahl, lf
Josh Ford, c
Cesar Nicolas, 3b
Ronnie Merrill, ss
Matt Green, rhp

UPDATE: Reid Brignac is only sore from last night and not injured. He was spiked to end one inning, fouled a ball off his shin in his next at-bat and collided with center fielder Fernando Perez on a ninth-inning fly ball. The ball ricocheted to left fielder Jason Pridie for the out. "I got the assist, though," Brignac said.

Longoria going to Futures

Biscuits third baseman Evan Longoria has been picked to play in this year's All-Star Futures Game, which will be July 8 in San Francisco.

Former Biscuits pitcher Jeff Niemann, who's now with Class AAA Durham, will also play for the U.S. team.

Colby Rasmus, a first-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals two years ago from Russell County High, and Justin Upton, the Mobile outfielder who is the younger brother of former Biscuits shortstop B.J., are also on the squad. Rasmus is with Class AA Springfield and is also scheduled to play in next week's Texas League All-Star Game.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Davis looks good

Wade Davis was still spewing steam in the seventh inning when he came out, hitting 92 mph on the stadium radar gun (which translates to about 94 in real life).

Nice start: 6 1/3 innings, seven hits, two runs (one earned), NO walks and nine strikeouts. The nine strikeouts are the most by a Biscuits pitcher this year. He registered 95 mph on a fourth-inning strikeout -- remember, add two, so that was probably 97 -- and his curveball was mighty impressive.

Too bad Davis won't get the win. Ronnie Merrill just homered to tie it off reliever Nick DeBarr.

Top pick moves up to BayBears

Max Scherzer, Arizona's first-round draft pick last year who signed just before this year's draft, has been promoted to Class AA Mobile and will start Friday at Riverwalk Stadium.

The Diamondbacks took Scherzer with the 11th overall pick last year. The right-handed pitcher, a client of super agent Scott Boras, didn't sign until just before the deadline to enter this year's draft. His $4.3 million major-league deal included a $3 million bonus and incentives could make the contract worth $5.85 million.

Scherzer played for the independent Fort Worth Cats while Boras and the Diamondbacks negotiated. After signing, Scherzer went to Class A Visalia and was 2-0 with an 0.53 ERA in 17 innings. He walked two and struck out 30.

The BayBears have also added pitcher Brooks Brown, who was the 34th overall pick last year. The former University of Georgia star was 6-3 with a 2.81 ERA in 14 games at Visalia. He'll start Saturday. Brown represented Visalia in Tuesday's California-Carolina League All-Star Game.

Weak-kneed Wednesday

It's Day 8 of an 11-game homestand and Kevin Lynn has been demoted to Vero Beach so the Biscuits could activate Wade Davis for tonight's start. Fernando Perez is taking extra batting practice and is only bunting, while catcher Josh Arhart throws with trainer Jimmy Southard in the outfield. This might be Arhart's first baseball activity since his back injury.

Either way, Davis will be the focus tonight in his Class AA debut.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, 2b
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Jason Pridie, lf
Patrick Breen, dh
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Wade Davis, rhp

BAYBEARS
Emilio Bonifacio, 2b
Wilkin Castillo, c
Justin Upton, cf
Javier Brito, 1b
Carlos Gonzalez, dh
Chris Rahl, lf
Jarred Ball, rf
Cesar Nicolas, 3b
Ronnie Merrill, ss
Esmerling Vasquez, rhp

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Tuesday's nightcap

Nice touch: The Biscuits' staff is playing Hail to the Victors for Game 2 starter Derek Feldkamp, a former Wolverine.

Game 2 lineups ...
BISCUITS
Jason Pridie, cf
Brooks Badeaux, 3b
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, dh
Chris Nowak, 1b
Patrick Breen, lf
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Matt Spring, c
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Derek Feldkamp, rhp

BAYBEARS
Emilio Bonifacio, 2b
Wilkin Castillo, c
Justin Upton, dh
Javier Brito, 3b
Carlos Gonzalez, rf
Chris Rahl, lf
Jarred Ball, cf
Ronnie Merrill, ss
Phil Avlas, 1b
Chris Kinsey, rhp

Rain delay update

2 p.m. -- The Biscuits are hoping for a 2:45 p.m. start. That's the current hope. Rain has stopped at Riverwalk, but weather radar doesn't eliminate the possibility of more.

2:51 -- First pitch. However, the Biscuits will honor tickets to today's game as rainchecks. They can be exchanged for any future game (if tickets are available to that game). That also means free baseball for anybody who's here.

3:04 -- One of the joys of a sparsely attended game that includes a lot of children. Reid Brignac hit a foul ball to the grassy area in right. We cheered as four kids laid chase.

3:06 -- See 3:04 and it was Evan Longoria this time.

3:48 -- We're calling a chop block on one kid for his "technique" in securing a souvenir. Mobile's Cesar Nicolas set off a chase with a fourth-inning foul.

3:54 -- Longoria homered to deep left-center, over the 395 mark and 18-foot wall. The ball bounced out of the stadium, but that hasn't stopped about 10 kids from hustling to the area in search of the ball.

4:33 -- Biscuits finish off a 1-0 win in Game 1. Game 2 scheduled to start at 5:05.

Still raining

They're promising a long wait before postponing this one. If there hadn't been a rainout last night, I'm sure this one would already have been canceled.

I'm going to haul out an old rain-delay question from many years ago. It's been long enough that I'm not even sure of the full answer anymore. Take your best shot.

Name the NCAA Division I schools (football or basketball) whose nickname does not end in an 'S'?

(The last time I remember looking there were like 29, of which you should definitely know 14. Those numbers may have changed.)

Dukes gives 12-minute interview

Still raining.

For your rain-delay entertainment, Elijah Dukes was on a Tampa Bay sports radio show today. Here's the station's story and audio link:

http://www.620wdae.com/cc-common/mainheadlines2.html?feed=122843&article=2284531

Splish-splash Tuesday

It rained earlier and it's not raining now, but a nice pocket of red and yellow on the radar is headed this way from the west, so this one is delayed.

Doubleheader (supposedly) today. Here are the Game 1 lineups, though I doubt there's going to be a Game 1 ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Chris Mason, rhp

BAYBEARS
Emilio Bonifacio, ss
Wilkin Castillo, 2b
Justin Upton, cf
Javier Brito, 1b
Carlos Gonzalez, rf
Chris Rahl, lf
Josh Ford, c
Cesar Nicolas, dh
Ronnie Merrill, 3b
Greg Smith, lhp

Monday, June 18, 2007

Washed and scrubbed

Rainout.

Doubleheader Tuesday starting at 12:05 p.m.

Second-half lidlifter

Juan Salas is here to start his rehab assignment and can return to the majors July 3 when his 50-game suspension for a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance ends. Wade Davis is throwing a bullpen under the watchful eye of Rays pitching coordinator Dick Bosman and is scheduled to make his Biscuits debut this week.

Tampa Bay has announced two more draftee signings: third-rounder Nick Barnese and 25th-rounder Justin Garcia. Both are right-handed pitchers. Barnese is a California high schooler, while Garcia comes from Western Nevada Community College. That's 17 announced signings, including 12 of the Rays' top 25 picks.

The Biscuits and BayBears open a six-game series (yes, a six-gamer) tonight.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Derek Feldkamp, rhp

BAYBEARS
Emilio Bonifacio, ss
Wilkmin Castillo, 2b
Justin Upton, cf
Javier Brito, 1b
Carlos Gonzalez, rf
Chris Rahl, lf
Josh Ford, c
Cesar Nicolas, dh
Ronnie Merrill, 3b
Greg Smith, lhp

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Salas coming to Montgomery

Tampa Bay pitcher Juan Salas is returning to Montgomery this week to get into game shape for his return from a 50-game suspension handed out May 7.

Salas was suspended after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance and is eligible to return to the Devil Rays in early July.

Biscuits manager Billy Gardner said he wasn't sure when Salas might pitch. Salas is expected to throw in simulated game conditions Monday.

Salas was a third baseman for the Biscuits in 2004 and became a pitcher later that year. He returned to Montgomery late in 2005 and didn't allow an earned run in 34 2/3 innings last year. Salas went to Durham in mid-June and made his major-league debut in September.

Steamy Sunday

It's 95 degrees and the Biscuits can use a chance to warm up. Montgomery is trying to avoid a five-game series sweep today and has lost seven of eight. The Jacksonville Suns need a win to have a chance of catching Mississippi on the final day of the first-half race.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Jason Pridie, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Patrick Breen, dh
Josh Asanovich, 2b
James Houser, lhp

SUNS
Xavier Paul, cf
Chin-Lung Hu, ss
Cory Dunlap, dh
Marshall McDougall, 3b
Alberto Concepcion, 1b
Anthony Raglani, lf
Juan Gonzalez, 2b
A.J. Ellis, c
James Tomlin, rf
Joey Norrito, rhp

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Saturday special

Biggest news is obviously Wade Davis (see earlier post).

The Suns look to pull even with the skidding Mississippi Braves tonight. The first-half division races end with Sunday's games. The Biscuits try to muster some momentum for Monday's start of the second half.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Jason Pridie, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, dh
Chris Nowak, 1b
Patrick Breen, rf
Matt Spring, c
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Mike Prochaska, lhp

SUNS
Xavier Paul, cf
Chin-Lung Hu, ss
Cory Dunlap, dh
Marshall McDougall, 3b
Alberto Concepcion, 1b
Anthony Raglani, lf
Juan Gonzalez, 2b
A.J. Ellis, c
James Tomlin, rf
Zach Hammes, rhp

Wade Davis coming to Biscuits

Right-handed pitcher Wade Davis, after representing the Vero Beach Devil Rays in tonight's Florida State League All-Star Game, will move up to the Biscuits.

The 21-year-old is tentatively scheduled to start for Montgomery on Wednesday against the Mobile BayBears.

Davis was 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in 13 starts for Vero Beach, where he totaled 21 walks, 88 strikeouts and a .196 average against in 78 1/3 innings. On Monday, he gave up two hits in 6 2/3 innings, walked none and struck out a season-high 13.

"I think I'll be able to come up there, do the same thing and get the job done," Davis said.

Davis, a third-round draft pick in 2004, is Tampa Bay's No. 8 prospect, according to Baseball America. Last year, Davis ranked second in the Midwest League with 165 strikeouts, six behind teammate Jake McGee.

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(34-34, second place, 5.5 GB)
RHP Jeff Niemann gave up one hit, an infield single, in 6.1 innings to win Thursday and pitched seven innings of one-run ball in his last start, a victory June 9. He’s 6-4 with a 3.66 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 76.1 innings this year.
2B Elliot Johnson is hitting .191 with 62 strikeouts in 62 games.
RF Justin Ruggiano is 2-for-20 in his last six games. He’s hitting .289 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs this year.
LHP Jon Switzer has an 0.68 ERA in 11 appearances. In 13.1 innings, he’s allowed 14 hits and five walks.
RHP Jae Kuk Ryu has allowed three hits and one run over five innings in each of his last two starts. He walked none and struck out seven to win Friday.
3B Joel Guzman has a .319 average in June, pushing his season numbers to .244 with 30 RBIs.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(34-33, tied for second, 5 GB)
LHP Jake McGee is winless in his last five starts after giving up three runs (none earned) in a 5.2-inning no-decision last Sunday. He’s 4-2 with a 2.42 ERA.
3B Patrick Cottrell entered the FSL All-Star break with a nine-game hit streak in which he was 13-of-37 with nine runs scored. He’s hitting .292 this season.
RHP Jeff Kamrath totaled 13 strikeouts Wednesday, allowing one run over 6.2 innings in a no-decision.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(41-27, second place, 8 GB)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson gave up one hit over six shutout innings Monday and hasn’t allowed a run in his last two starts. He’s 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA and has allowed hitters a .197 average.
LF Ryan Royster is hitting .308 with 40 RBIs and 26 extra-base hits.
RHP Wade Townsend served up five home run balls Thursday, allowing eight runs on nine hits in five innings.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
3B Rico Washington has a .288 average, five home runs and 13 RBIs for Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals).
IF Jace Brewer is hitting .261 in seven games since being promoted to Class AAA Omaha (Royals).
RHP Carlos Hines has two saves and a 4.97 ERA at Class AAA Fresno (Giants).
RHP Jose Rodriguez is 0-2 with two saves and a 3.99 ERA in 24 appearances at Class AAA Round Rock (Astros).
RHP Jim Magrane has made two starts at Class AAA Columbus (Nationals) and is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA.
RHP Jean Machi gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning to lose Wednesday for Class AA New Hampshire (Blue Jays). He threw two hitless innings Friday.
C Robinson Cancel is 5-of-20 since being demoted to Class AA Binghamton (Mets).
RHP Gerardo Garcia is 3-3 with a 6.31 ERA for the Puebla Parrots of the Mexican League.
RHP Travis Minix is 3-2 with seven saves, a 2.36 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 34.1 innings for the Macoto Cobras in Taiwan.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Freak-a-zoid Friday

I'll be your Freak-a-zoid. Come on and wind me up.

It's 80's Night, so you can get used to some bad puns tonight. The front office will of course be having its fun with the scoreboard pictures tonight. The staff is also dressing up.

After Chris Mason was the subject of karaoke scorn last night (see today's notes package), we'll see if Mason can proffer a defense. And forget about Rocco Baldelli coming to Montgomery for a rehab stay this year. He's off to Durham, which started an eight-game homestand last night, to test his hamstring.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, 2b
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
Chris Nowak, 1b
Jason Pridie, lf
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Matt Spring, c
Patrick Breen, dh
Jon Barratt, lhp

SUNS
Xavier Paul, cf
Chin-Lung Hu, ss
Cory Dunlap, dh
Marshall McDougall, 3b
Alberto Concepcion, 1b
Anthony Raglani, lf
Juan Gonzalez, 2b
A.J. Ellis, c
David Nicholson, rf
Mike Megrew, lhp

We'll end with another classic from Midnight Star.

Excuse me, madam.
You're standing still in a no parking zone.
You don't get a move on that body.
I'll be forced to give you a ticket.
So get with it.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Fence splitter

Reid Brignac just hit one through the right-field wall, according to umpire Eric Loveless.

Brignac put one over the fence, but Loveless ruled it went through the rails and therefore said it was a ground-rule double in the first inning.

It had to be perfectly placed since there the ball will barely fit through those rails -- and Brignac's ball wasn't deflected.

=====
OK, third inning, Brignac just made up for it, though not by much. P.A. announcer Rick Hendrick may have risked ejection when he emphatically said: "Now, that's a home run."

=====
End of the seventh and the team has its fan vs. fan dance off. A girl tried the water sprinkler move last seen in these parts by former Biscuits intern Brad Tillery. The BTW Magnet graduate was exiled to be the radio voice of the Lansing Lugnuts for attempting such a maneuver.

Thriving Thursday

Today's notes menu includes something on Jacksonville's Marshall McDougall, an update on Corrie Feldkamp, Biscuits pitcher Derek's sister who had brain surgery early this week, and some more hype for Friday's 80's Night.

Here are your questions to ponder (and I expect no cheating by way of Google):
1.) Why in the heck would I do a note in the middle of June about Marshall McDougall?
2.) Which Biscuit do you think would be the best in Friday's in-game moonwalk contest between fans?
3.) Which Biscuit would find the most success at Friday's postgame 80's-themed karaoke in the Club Car Bar?

Don't forget to submit your answers. The comment section here is quite barren, dadgumit.

UPDATE: Former Biscuits reliever Ruddy Lugo has been claimed off waivers by the Oakland A's. The Devil Rays designated him for assignment this week. This could cause a move with the Biscuits.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, 2b
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Jason Pridie, lf
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Chris Mason, rhp

SUNS
Xavier Paul, cf
Chin-Lung Hu, ss
Cory Dunlap, dh
Marshall McDougall, 3b
Alberto Concepcion, 1b
Anthony Raglani, lf
Juan Gonzalez, 2b
A.J. Ellix, c
James Tomlin, rf
Eric Cyr, lhp

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Dukes absent from Rays

Elijah Dukes isn't in the Tampa Bay dugout tonight after revelations about that his sixth child is expected in November.

Rays GM Andrew Friedman released a statement: "After conversations with Elijah and his agent today, the organization approved Elijah’s absence tonight."

Seddon to Marlins

Pitcher Chris Seddon has been claimed off waivers by the Florida Marlins and assigned to Class AA Carolina. Seddon was 3-4 with a 4.94 ERA with the Biscuits when the Devil Rays designated him for assignment last Monday.

Grady resident and Goshen High graduate Wesley "Little Trey" Wright makes his first appearance of the year at Riverwalk with the Jacksonville Suns. (I call him "Little Trey" just to pick on him.) His brother, Willie "Trey" Wright, is a former Montgomery Wing who I'll have to look out for tonight.

Monday's lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Jason Pridie, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Patrick Breen, dh
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Derek Feldkamp, rhp

SUNS
Xavier Paul, cf
Chin-Lung Hu, ss
Anthony Raglani, lf
Marshall McDougall, 3b
Alberto Concepcion, 1b
Juan Gonzalez, 2b
A.J. Ellis, c
James Tomlin, rf
David Nicholson, dh
Justin Orenduff, rhp

Tide's Salem inks deal

Alabama's Emeel Salem, Tampa Bay's sixth-round draft pick, has signed. The Devil Rays also announced today that 21st-rounder Kevin Brody of UCLA and 34th-rounder Kevin Chavez of Sante Fe, N.M., have signed. Tampa Bay has signed 15 now, but still no word on David Price's price.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Teen: Baby is Dukes'; Teen: Dukes got me pregnant

Those are the headlines. Here are the stories ...

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/12/Rays/Teen__Dukes_got_me_pr.shtml
http://www.tbo.com/sports/rays/MGBUN5V8V2F.html

Lugo off 40-man

To create room for Jay Witasick, the Rays designated Ruddy Lugo for assignment instead of Tim Corcoran this afternoon, according to the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune. Corcoran went on the disabled list.

That leaves Durham a pitcher short.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Hammel fills one spot

Jason Hammel is going back to the big leagues. The Rays just announced his promotion and that Jae Seo has been outrighted to Durham. The second open spot in Tampa Bay's staff will be filled Tuesday.

I would think Hammel's return signals that Edwin Jackson is headed to the bullpen.

Hammel has always been a starter and Jackson has done both. Plus, Jackson is 0-7 with a 7.39 ERA this season in 11 starts with the Rays. Of course, Hammel was 0-6 with a 7.77 ERA last year in nine major-league starts.

UPDATE: The Rays are also close to signing former A's reliever Jay Witasick, according to the St. Petersburg Times, and will make room on the 40-man by designating Tim Corcoran for assignment.

If Corcoran clears waivers, that could start the ball rolling, sending Richard De Los Santos back to Montgomery (his promotion wasn't expected to be a long-term move anyway) and someone leaving the Biscuits.

Tampa Bay turns two ... in bullpen

Tampa Bay relievers Chad Orvella and Tim Corcoran are headed from the majors to Class AAA Durham. The Rays haven't decided on who will get the call to replace them, but the moves -- barring a last-minute surprise -- won't affect the Biscuits.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Sonnanstine wins

The Tampa Bay bullpen couldn't mess this one up.

Andy Sonnanstine, the Biscuits' MVP last year, picked up his first major-league victory today with the Devil Rays' 9-4 victory over the Florida Marlins. Sonnanstine worked seven innings, allowing seven hits and two runs (both on solo homers). He walked none and struck out 10.

Sonnanstine helped his own cause with a bat. He was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.

Of course, the Rays blew a five-run lead in the ninth inning of Sonnanstine's debut last week at Toronto.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(31-31, second place, 4.5 GB)
RHP Mitch Talbot threw a seven-inning, five-hit shutout Wednesday. He threw 52 strikes in 84 pitches. Talbot is 4-1 with a 1.75 ERA in six starts since his 10-run, no-out game May 5.
RF Justin Ruggiano was 0-for-2 Friday to snap a 12-game hit streak in which he was 18-of-48 with six home runs, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored. Ruggiano has a .305 average and 10 homers this year.
RHP Richard De Los Santos worked two shutout innings to win his debut Wednesday. He allowed two hits.
RHP Ruddy Lugo is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in 10 appearances.
3B Joel Guzman is 8-of-14 with three runs scored and three RBIs in his last four games. He hit a seventh-inning home run Wednesday to break a scoreless tie. This season, he has a .237 average, eight homers and 28 RBIs.
RHP Jeff Niemann is 4-4 with a 4.29 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 63 innings.
LHP Jon Switzer has allowed one earned run and 14 hits in 11.2 innings.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(28-32, fourth place, 5.5 GB)
RHP Wade Davis pitched seven innings of two-hit, one-run ball in a no-decision Wednesday. He’s 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA and a .206 average against.
LHP Jake McGee was tagged for eight hits and six runs in 5.2 innings Tuesday. He fell to 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA and a .205 average against.
LF J.T. Hall is 12-for-28 in his last seven games, pushing his average to .280.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(39-23, third place, 4.5 GB)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson threw seven shutout innings Tuesday, cutting his ERA to 2.25 in seven starts.
RHP Heath Rollins surrendered eight runs, including two home runs, in five innings to lose Wednesday. He’s 6-1 with a 1.51 ERA.
C Nevin Ashley has a .285 average and 28 RBIs.
RHP Wade Townsend is 1-3 with a 5.55 ERA in his last five starts.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
CF Joey Gathright had a .328 average and 33 runs scored at Class AAA Omaha when he was promoted to Kansas City this week.
OF Jesus Feliciano is hitting .300 with 20 runs scored for Class AAA New Orleans (Mets).
3B Rico Washington has a .289 average with Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals).
LHP Jason Cromer, who is 2-4 with a 5.98 ERA, has moved back into the bullpen with Class AA Wichita (Royals).
C Iker Franco has a .207 average at Class AAA Richmond (Braves).
RHP Marcos Carvajal is 1-4 with a 4.64 ERA with Class AA Binghamton (Mets).
RHP Willie Glen threw a four-hit, 10-strikeout complete game for independent Gary on Friday. He’s 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA in six starts.
OF Francisco Leandro has a .347 batting average, 15 walks and eight runs scored for independent New Jersey.
OF Amado German has scored 13 runs in 19 games for independent Edinburg.
OF Joey Gomes has a .317 average at independent Newark.
DH Jose Velazquez is hitting .180 with independent Nashua.

Rays sign catcher for Durham

The Devil Rays have signed catcher Michel Hernandez of the independent Somerset Patriots and sent him to Class AAA Durham. Hernandez, who was hitting .342 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 25 games, played for the Yankees in 2003 and was at Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals) last year.

That's the first step to clear up a deteriorating position. Two of the four catchers on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster (Shawn Riggans and Josh Paul) are on the disabled list, while the major-league starter (Dioner Navarro) was hit in the throat when a pitch bounced in the dirt Friday. Also, Josh Arhart with the Biscuits is out with a back injury.

The Rays sent Christian Lopez from Class A Vero Beach to Durham as an emergency and had already promoted Matt Spring from Class A Columbus to the Biscuits to adjust for Arhart and take some of the workload off John Jaso.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Leon Johnson slips away from Rays

Leon Johnson, the brother of former Biscuits second baseman Elliot Johnson, missed out on being a four-time Devil Rays draft pick today.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made sure of that, taking Leon with the third pick of the 10th round today.

The Rays picked Leon in 2003 (41st round), 2005 (45th) and 2006 (29th), but couldn't sign him. Leon played for Eastern Arizona College in 2004, was on a two-year Mormon mission to Russia in 2005 and 2006, and played his sophomore season at BYU this spring.

Johnson is known for his speed and has been timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He hit .248 this spring and set a Mountain West Conference record with 29 steals. He was caught stealing eight times.

If Johnson turns down the Dodgers, he could make a run at the record for the most times being drafted. Pitcher Matt Harrington was picked five times -- in 2000 (Rockies, first round), 2001 (Padres, second), 2002 (Devil Rays, 13th), 2003 (Reds, 24th) and 2004 (Yankees, 36th).

Full Alabama draft list

Complete with out-of-state high schoolers who signed with in-state teams.

ALABAMIANS IN THE DRAFT
Supplemental first round
48. Chicago Cubs: Josh Donaldson, c, Auburn U.
54. Texas: Tommy Hunter, rhp, U. Alabama
60. Detroit: Brandon Hamilton, rhp, Stanhope Elmore HS, Troy U. signee
Second round
84. Boston: Hunter Morris, 1b, Grissom HS, Auburn U. signee
Fifth round
161. Milwaukee: Caleb Gindle, cf, Pace (Fla.) HS, Troy U. signee
Sixth round
185. Tampa Bay: Emeel Salem, cf, U. Alabama, Mountain Brook HS
211. Detroit: Cale Iorg, ss, formerly U. Alabama
214. N.Y. Yankees, Chase Weems, c, Columbus (Ga.) HS, U. Alabama signee
Seventh round
222. Colorado: Jeff Cunningham, 1b, U. South Alabama
231. Houston: Russell Dixon, 2b, Auburn U.
236. L.A. Dodgers: Danny Danielson, rhp, Russell Co. HS, U. Alabama signee
10th round
325. Toronto: Joel Collins, c, U. South Alabama
11th round
335. Tampa Bay: D.J. Jones, cf, Gulf Shores HS, Auburn U. signee
14th round
428. Pittsburgh: Kyle McPherson, rhp, U. Mobile, St. Paul’s HS
431. Milwaukee: Donovan Hand, rhp, Jacksonville State U., Hatton HS
432. Colorado: Kentrail Davis, cf, Theodore HS
442. St. Louis: Josh Dew, rhp, Troy U., Jeff Davis HS
15th round
464. San Francisco: Bruce Edwards, cf, Auburn U.
479. Chicago White Sox: Greg Paiml, ss, U. Alabama, Hoover HS
16th round
504. Boston: Austin Bailey, rhp, Prattville HS, U. Alabama signee
18th round
568. L.A. Angels: Zack Martin, 3b, Andrew College (Ga.), Phenix City native
19th round
581. Milwaukee: Zealous Wheeler, 3b, Wallace State-Hanceville CC, Childersburg native
588. Atlanta: Brett Butts, rhp, Auburn U.
603. N.Y. Mets: Ernesto Gonzalez, ss, Wallace-Dothan CC
21st round
641. Milwaukee: Connor Hoehn, rhp, St. John’s HS, Demascus, Md., U. Alabama signee
648. Atlanta: Kuyaunnis Miles, of, Chattahoochee Valley CC, Russell Co. HS
22nd round
668. Pittsburgh: Niko Navarro, c, Flanagan HS, Pembroke Pines, Fla., Samford U. signee
23rd round
718. L.A. Angels: Mike Bianucci, lf, Auburn U.
720. Oakland: J.D. Pruitt, of, U. Montevallo, G.W. Long HS
24th round
741. Houston: Philip Stringer, ss, Auburn U.
749. Chicago White Sox: Kevin Patterson, 1b, Oak Mountain HS
25th round
756. Kansas City: Clint Robinson, 1b, Troy U., Northview HS
27th round
838. L.A. Angels: Patrick White, cf, West Virginia U., Daphne HS
32nd round
967. Pittsburgh: Daniel Forrer, lhp, AUM, Jeff Davis HS
33rd round
1,006. Atlanta: Craig Kimbrel, rhp, Wallace State-Hanceville CC, Lee-Huntsville HS
34th round
1,036. Cincinnati: Jeremy Vinyard, rhp, Boaz HS
1,039. St. Louis: Steve Hill, rhp, Southeastern (Fla.) U., Southside-Gadsden HS
35th round
1,059. Arizona: Josh Blake, lhp, Auburn U.
1,072. San Diego: Ross Wilson, ss, Hoover HS, U. Alabama signee
39th round
1,178. Cincinnati: Jimmy Nelson, rhp, Niceville (Fla.) HS, U. Alabama signee
1,180. Houston: Brian Fletcher, ss, Starr’s Mill HS, Fayetteville, Ga., Auburn U. signee
40th round
1,193. Kansas City: Clegg Snipes, rhp, Troy U.
42nd round
1,249. Washington: Garrett Bass, lf, Jacksonville State U.
44th round
1,305. San Francisco: Joseph Edens, rhp, Samford U.
48th round
1,401. Florida: Jake Elmore, 2b, Wallace State-Hanceville CC, Pleasant Grove HS
49th round
1,422. Florida: Kyle Rose, cf, Lee-Huntsville HS

Full Tampa Bay draft list

I double-checked as many names as I could. MLB uses the player's first names no matter what. Hence there some reference's to Tigers pick Brandon Hamilton of Stanhope Elmore as Joey (his name is Joey Brandon Hamilton). And the Rays' 11th-round is D.J. Jones of Gulf Shores, though MLB lists him as David.

Yes! Tampa Bay came through with this, saving me from counting
34 pitchers (23 righties, 11 lefties), 7 catchers, 3 infielders, 6 outfielders
24 high schoolers, 26 colleges

RAYS’ DRAFT PICKS
(signees in bold)
First round (first overall): David Price, lhp, Vanderbilt U.
Second (65th): Will Kline, rhp, U. Mississippi
Third (95th): Nick Barnese, rhp, Simi Valley (Calif.) HS
Fourth (125th): David Newmann, lhp, Texas A&M U.
Fifth (155th): Dustin Biell, cf, Inglemoor (Wash.) HS (signing announced June 12)
Sixth (185th): Emeel Salem, cf, U. Alabama (June 13)
Seventh (215th): Reid Fronk, lf, U. North Carolina
Eighth (245th): Matt Moore, lhp, Moriarty (N.M.) HS
Ninth (275th): Cody Cipriano, 2b, UC Irvine

10th (305th): Greg Sexton, 3b, William & Mary (June 12)
11th (335th): D.J. Jones, cf, Gulf Shores HS
12th (365th): Stephen Vogt, c, Azusa Pacific U. (June 12)
13th (395th): Brian Flores, lhp, Arizona State U.
14th (425th): Kyle Ayers, rhp, Oswego (Ill.) HS (June 12)
15th (455th): Michael Southern, rhp, West Hills (Calif.) College (June 12)
16th (485th): Josh Johnson, rhp, Mississippi State U.
17th (515th): Will Harvill, rhp, Young Harris (Ga.) JC
18th (545th): Joey Dettrich, lhp, Arlington (Wash.) HS (June 12)
19th (575th): Kevin Boggan, rhp, Boston College (June 12)

20th (605th): Chris Luck, rhp, South Granville HS, Creedmoor, N.C. (June 12)
21st (635th): Kevin Brophy, rhp, UCLA (June 13)
22nd (665th): Ryan Turner, rhp, Richland HS, North Richland Hills, Texas
23rd (695th): Joel Carranza, c, Flanagan HS, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
24th (725th): John Baird, rhp, U. Cincinnati
25th (755th): Justin Garcia, rhp, Western Nevada CC
26th (785th): Grimes Medlin, lhp, Young Harris (Ga.) JC
27th (815th): John Mollicone, c, Fordham U. (June 12)
28th (845th): Ben Humphrey, 1b, Central Michigan U. (June 12)
29th (875th): Robert Morey, rhp, Cape Henry HS, Virginia Beach, Va.

30th (905th): Joseph Cruz, rhp, East Los Angeles JC
31st (935th): Stephen Sauer, rhp, Western Nevada CC
32nd (964th): Thad Griffen, c, Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.
33rd (993rd): R.J. Preach, rhp, Brophy Jesuit Prep, Phoenix
34th (1,022nd): Kevin Chavez, rhp, St. Michaels HS, Sante Fe, N.M. (June 13)
35th (1,051st): Joey Terdoslavich, c, Sarasota (Fla.) HS
36th (1,080th): Travis Stortz, lhp, Countryside HS, Clearwater, Fla.
37th (1,108th): Robert Della Grotta, rhp, Pepperdine U. (June 12)
38th (1,136th): Jesse Darcy, rhp, Manhattan College (June 12)
39th (1,164th): Joe Staley, c, Decatur (Texas) HS

40th (1,192nd): Will Smith, lhp, Northgate HS, Newnan, Ga.
41st (1,218th): Austin Hinkle, rhp, Coastal Carolina U.
42nd (1,244th): Sean Green, rhp, Chesterton (Ind.) HS
43rd (1,270th): Brad Buehler, rhp, St. Pius X HS, Festus, Mo.
44th (1,296th): Braden Degamo, c, Mariner HS, Everett, Wash.
45th (1,322nd): Brett Miller, rhp, Montgomery HS, San Diego
46th (1,346th): Elliot Glynn, lhp, Woodrow Wilson HS, Long Beach, Calif.
47th (1,369th): Kyle Decater, lf, Bellevue (Wash.) CC
48th (1,391st): Matt Evers, lhp, Stratford (Texas) HS
49th (1,412nd): Ken Burdi, cf, Kishwaukee (Ill.) College
50th (1,433rd): Mark Peterson, lhp, Lincoln Park Aca., Fort Pierce, Fla.

Biscuits add Lynn

Already a pitcher down and due to lose another this weekend, the Biscuits added right-hander Kevin Lynn from Class A Vero Beach today. Lynn was 1-2 with one save and a 5.06 ERA this year in 20 appearances.

Chris Seddon is still in the 10-day designated for assignment period and Derek Feldkamp is making a trip home this weekend for his sister's brain surgery. Feldkamp is supposed to fly to Michigan on Saturday and come back to Montgomery on Tuesday.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Cumberland's brother goes supplemental

Biscuits outfielder Shaun Cumberland's brother was a supplemental first round pick. The Padres took shortstop Drew Cumberland with the 46th overall pick.

Gentlemen, start your engines

The pace car just left the track and the green flag is about to drop. ESPN2 just signed off, so the draft should pick up speed. They're four hours in and have just made 60 picks.

Tampa Bay scouting director talks about Price

Devil Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison on why the team picked David Price ...

"When it's all said and done, we thought he was the best fit for us. We think he was the best guy to pick from, and we had them all to choose from."

on the negotiations ...
"That process will start tomorrow and we'll see what happens."

on picking first ...
"If you're going to pick way at the top, it might as well be at the very top. It also means you have no excuses. You can take the guy at the top of your list. We were fortunate enough last year to get the guy at the top of our list. I must be a pretty lucky guy. The two years I've been scouting director, we've gotten the guy we wanted both years. Now, we have to get him signed." (The Rays picked Biscuits third baseman Evan Longoria third overall last year.)

on where Price could debut (Montgomery?!?) ...
"That's something the organization will have to decide, if and when we get him signed."

Rays take Vandy's Price

Vanderbilt pitcher David Price was the Devil Rays' No. 1 overall pick.

Second round (65th overall), four hours after Price: Will Kline, rhp, Ole Miss
7-2, 3.72 ERA in 17 starts, 43 walks, 127 strikeouts in 116 innings, entering super regional with Arizona State

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Feldkamp to visit home

Pitcher Derek Feldkamp is headed home this weekend to be with his sister who's having brain surgery stemming from an auto accident in December. Corrie Feldkamp was hit by a car and thrown 25 feet in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Dec. 13.

Also, Carolina's Jai Miller has apparently enjoyed his trip home since he has an extra-base hit in each of the series' first four games, and Montgomery pitcher Chris Mason, barely two weeks after vowing regular patronage to Montgomery's new Hooters, now says he'll never go back. Mason said he was disrespected by a manager after he made a complaint.

Your late lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Jason Pridie, lf
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Mike Prochaska, lhp

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, lf
Johnny Raburn, ss
Chase Lambin, 2b
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Ryan Bear, rf
Grant Psomas, 1b
Vince Harrison, dh
Brett Haynes, c
Jai Miller, cf
Jesus Delgado, rhp

Tuesday's notebook

Looks like it made it online to montgomeryadvertiser.com, though what they call the "Biscuits' microsite" last had a story a week ago.

I'm told the site is having problems and these stories are being correctly sent through the automated system, but the system isn't doing the job. I'm sure that will be resolved soon.

That means the microsite is missing ...
1. Thursday's game at Huntsville
2. Friday's game at Huntsville
3. Saturday's Series Starter at Carolina center fielder/Selma native Jai Miller
4. Saturday's story on Andy Sonnanstine's promotion to the big leagues
5. Saturday night's game with Carolina
6. Saturday's notebook
7. Sunday's feature on Vanderbilt pitcher David Price
8. Sunday's follow-up story on Sonnanstine
9. Sunday's game
10. Sunday's notebook
11. Monday's game
12. Monday's notebook
13. Tuesday's game
14. Tuesday's notebook
15. AP story on Sonnanstine's debut Tuesday

Today's story on Brandon Hamilton and Austin Bailey looking ahead to the draft and another on Alabama's Tommy Hunter by our UA beat writer, Tim Gayle, correctly isn't there, nor is a chart of the state's top draft possibilities.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Monday's notebook

This blog is really going to get long if I have to keep doing this. I've noticed my game story and notebook from Monday's game never made it to montgomeryadvertiser.com.

So, belatedly, here are the notes. (And I'm told that though the notes look fine on my computer, they're garbled on the office computers. Maybe this will work now.)

Passport application
Biscuits pitcher Jeremy Flanagan, one day after he couldn’t be promoted to Class AAA Durham because he doesn’t have a passport, said it was his fault.

And he knows what he’s doing today.

“It was a miscommunication,” Flanagan said. “I’m going to go down there tomorrow and apply for it.”

Flanagan said he was told in spring training to get a passport. Because he doesn’t have a birth certificate, he needed other paperwork to go through the process. By the time he got that paperwork, he was assigned to Montgomery, the season was starting and he never applied.

It wasn’t an issue until Sunday.

The Bulls needed a pitcher but also start a series today at Ottawa. Richard De Los Santos had the necessary paperwork.

“When it came up, I didn’t even think about them being in Ottawa,” Flanagan said. “There was a miscommunication and I’m still a Montgomery Biscuit.”

Right as Raburn
Johnny Raburn has his Biscuits championship ring from last year at home while he’s playing with another organization.

Raburn signed with the Florida Marlins in the offseason and is playing with the Carolina Mudcats. He’s already been promoted to Class AAA Albuquerque and sent back down when the Marlins added another middle infielder.

“That’s how it works,” Raburn said. “But I’ll go anywhere to get playing time. That’s all that matters.”

Raburn, who started at shortstop Monday after playing in right field and at second base, played for the Biscuits the last two seasons. He hit .295 in 93 games last year.

“I love playing here,” Raburn said. “Any time you come back to a place you enjoy, it’s a good time. It’s a great ballpark with great fans and a great organization.”

New journal
Center fielder Fernando Perez has a new journal entry at minorleaguebaseball.com about his time at extended spring training.

He even mentioned how the players wait to “play for a team with a hat that has a crosseyed (sic) Egg McMuffin.”

The majority of Perez’s message was about Latin-born players who are chasing their dream of a better life and how his family snuck out of Cuba. He could easily have been one of the Latin-born players.

“I woke up not in a Third World country, as perhaps I should have, but here in the American middle class that’s virtually impossible to fall from if you make a modest effort,” Perez wrote. “These kids, most of whom look like they could be my brother, awoke somewhere else.”

Perez was in Florida rehabbing a knee injury.

Rays applaud Jaso’s May
Tampa Bay picked Biscuits catcher John Jaso as the organization’s hitter of the month for May. Jaso hit .374 with 24 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 25 games during May.

“We have a lot of good players in this organization, so winning this award is definitely an honor,” said Jaso, who had a .162 average on April 25 and entered Monday at .336. “May was a big step up from the beginning of the season. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”

The Rays picked Columbus right-hander Heath Rollins as May’s top pitcher. Rollins was 4-0 with an 0.23 ERA, five walks and 35 strikeouts in six May starts. He’s 6-0 with a 1.09 ERA this year.

League two-times Mason
Montgomery’s Chris Mason won the Southern League’s weekly pitching award for the second time Monday.

Mason threw seven shutout innings to beat Huntsville last Tuesday. On Sunday, he was shaky but gave up only one run over six innings to beat Carolina.

“It was a rough outing, but it looked good on paper,” said Mason, who also won the award April 30. “The first week, I had two pretty good outings. This time, the first one was really well and the second one was shaky.”

Mobile outfielder Justin Upton, the younger brother of former Biscuits shortstop B.J., was the league’s top hitter. He was 14-of-27 with eight runs scored, seven RBIs and five extra-base hits.

Wellman suspended
The Atlanta Braves suspended Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman for Wellman’s well-publicized tantrum Friday at Chattanooga.

Wellman will sit out three games, unless the Southern League metes out additional punishment, for piling dirt on home plate, pulling up third and second base, and for crawling behind the mound and heaving the rosin bag at home-plate umpire Brent Rice like it was a grenade.

Wellman, who piled dirt on home plate May 6 at Riverwalk, grabbed national attention for his latest feat.

Seddon sits; Feldkamp sings

Chris Seddon is in limbo starting today, a part of being designated for assignment for the Devil Rays. Derek Feldkamp probably feels like singing the Michigan fight song after his former team beat No. 1 Vanderbilt to win an NCAA regional Monday.

The Biscuits and Mudcats play Game 4 of their series tonight.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Jason Pridie, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, dh
Chris Nowak, 1b
Patrick Breen, rf
Matt Spring, c
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Jon Barratt, lhp

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, lf
Eric Riggs, 2b
Chase Lambin, ss
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Grant Psomas, 1b
Ryan Bear, rf
Johnny Raburn, dh
Brett Hayes, c
Jai Miller, cf
James Russ, rhp

Plane with passport issues?

The Durham Bulls' flight to Ottawa ran into trouble Tuesday and was canceled -- no passport? -- so today's game has been postponed. The teams will play a doubleheader Wednesday.

League: Longoria over Jaso

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays' pick for a monthly award meant nothing to the Southern League.

The league named Biscuits third baseman Evan Longoria its top player for the month of May on Tuesday, a day after the Devil Rays tabbed Biscuits catcher John Jaso as the top player in their organization.

Longoria hit .317 with seven home runs, six doubles, 21 runs scored and 25 RBIs in May.
Jaso had a .374 average, four home runs, 10 doubles, 15 runs scored and 24 RBIs.

You say "to-MA-toe." I say "ta-mah-toe."

Monday, June 04, 2007

Davis or McGee?

OK, I'm looking ahead here, and Chris and Shiloh Seddon are good people, so this isn't a crack on them, but what if another team claims Chris off waivers?

Since this is my hypothetical, I'll set the ground rules -- If the Biscuits can add only ONE pitcher, who should it be?

Wade Davis or Jake McGee? ... Or, what the heck, David Price? =)

Davis: 3-0, 1.95 ERA, 64.2 innings, 50 hits allowed, 18 walks, 67 strikeouts, 3 HR allowed
McGee: 4-1, 1.97 ERA, 59.1 innings, 41 hits allowed, 21 walks, 66 strikeouts, 1 HR allowed

More on Seddon DFA

Chris Seddon definitely won't start Thursday. The Rays won't immediately put him on waivers. It's up in the air as to who will start Thursday for Montgomery, but Derek Feldkamp is who I'd expect. He was in the rotation earlier this season.

Since Durham is now down a catcher, the Bulls have to add one. Not sure on that front, but it does NOT look like John Jaso is leaving. The Biscuits already have Josh Arhart on the disabled list and Matt Spring is here from Columbus while he recovers. The Rays could sign somebody for the Durham slot or push someone up from Vero Beach.

Seddon DFA'd

The Devil Rays removed Biscuits pitcher Chris Seddon from their 40-man roster after Monday's game. That gives Tampa Bay 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on Seddon, and Seddon won't pitch until they do so.

Montgomery lost pitcher Jose Diaz two years ago when the Rays DFA'd him and Cleveland claimed him.

The Rays made the move after catcher Shawn Riggans went on the disabled list and they brought Raul Casanova to the big leagues from Class AAA Durham. Casanova wasn't on the 40-man, so Tampa Bay had to clear room.

Waivers is a three-day process, so it's possible Seddon could still pitch Thursday -- if the Rays put him on waivers immediately.

Price in relief

Vanderbilt pitcher David Price is making his first relief appearance of the season right now and I'm thinking the Devil Rays are feeling very nervous.

Price is the favorite to be Tampa Bay's pick in Thursday's draft. He threw 130 pitches Friday.

Vanderbilt scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to forge a 3-3 tie with Michigan in an NCAA regional championship game.

Monday lineups

I figure I've given enough news earlier today to whet your appetite, so I'll skip to the lineups ...

BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, 3b
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 1b
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Patrick Breen, lf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
James Houser, lhp

MUDCATS
Jose Campusano, lf
Eric Riggs, 2b
Chase Lambin, dh
Grant Psomas, 1b
Ryan Bear, rf
Johnny Raburn, ss
Vince Harrison, 3b
Brett Hayes, c
Jai Miller, cf
Gaby Hernandez, rhp

Jaso's May impresses Tampa Bay

The Devil Rays picked Biscuits catcher John Jaso and Class A Columbus pitcher Heath Rollins for their organizational awards for May.

Jaso hit .374 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in the month, while Rollins was 4-0 with an 0.23 ERA in six stars. Rollins walked five and struck out 35.

Wellman to sit at least three

Mississippi Braves manager Phillip Wellman has been suspended three games for Friday's extra entertainment at Chattanooga. The Atlanta Braves handed out that suspension and the Southern League has yet to weigh in with its opinion.

By the way, if and when you get tired of this blog, check out M-Braves announcer Bryan Eubank's at http://bravesradio.blogspot.com/.

Mason wins league award

Montgomery's Chris Mason became this year's first two-time winner of the Southern League's weekly pitching award. Mason was 2-0 with an 0.69 ERA in 13 innings last week and won his league-leading eighth game Sunday.

Mason is second in the league in ERA (2.31) and strikeouts (64), and tied for second with 70 innings pitched.

James Houser won the award two weeks ago and Mason won it April 30.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Passport promotion

The Biscuits deactivated pitcher Jeremy Flanagan today to bring center fielder Fernando Perez off the disabled list, but that's only the beginning of this saga.

Flanagan was scheduled to move up to Class AAA Durham, which is short a pitcher after Friday's major-league transactions while Jae Seo goes through waivers. Durham opens a series at Ottawa on Tuesday.

At Ottawa is the key because Flanagan doesn't have a passport.

Current rules require a passport if flying between the United States and Canada. If you're driving (or walking, I guess), a birth certificate and photo ID meet the standard.

So, Flanagan can't go. Richard De Los Santos, who has a passport because he's from the Dominican Republic, is available today but will head to Durham on Monday for the trip. The Biscuits have reactivated Flanagan and pushed starter Mike Prochaska off the active roster. Prochaska will still make his scheduled start Wednesday.

Sunday's lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, c
Jason Pridie, lf
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Patrick Breen, dh
Brooks Badeaux, 2b
Chris Mason, rhp

MUDCATS
Jose Campusano, lf
Eric Riggs, dh
Chase Lambin, ss
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Grant Psomas, 1b
Johnny Raburn, 2b
Ryan Bear, rf
Jai Miller, cf
John Purdom, c
Jesus Silva, rhp

A side note for any Reds fans out there: prized prospect Homer Bailey will make his major-league debut Saturday. Hopefully that means a rewrite to a poem I wrote in the spring about Cincinnati's rotation ...
Arroyo, Harang, and feel the pain

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Voting booths are open

OK, which managerial tirade is better?

Phillip Wellman or Joe Mikulik?

http://wdef.com/node/5567 and click on the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDx_6LzfZ5Y.

Discuss.

Make that 2-204

from earlier post -- "Harrison provided the '1' in Montgomery's all-time 1-204 record when trailing after eight innings. He hit a two-out, two-run double to give the Biscuits a 3-2 win over Birmingham on Sept. 4, 2004."

OK, make that 2-204.

Wellman goes wild

Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman was only practicing when he piled dirt on home plate and mimicked an umpire's call a few weeks ago at Riverwalk Stadium. He showed a little more in the third inning Friday night at Chattanooga after home-plate umpire Brent Rice kicked him out.

I'd say he faces a suspension for ... well, don't let me spoil the surprises.

www.wdef.com/video/extra_coverage/managergoeswild.ask
If that doesn't work, go to http://wdef.com/node/5567 and click on the video

In the fifth, Rice ejected starting pitcher Kelvin Villa after finding what he judged was a foreign substance on Villa. Joey Devine and Mike Rozema were ejected for arguing Rice's finding.

Mudcats opener

After 10 days away from a Biscuits game, I've got to get back in the groove.

Well, the Carolina Mudcats are in town to start a five-game series. That means fans can see two former Biscuits in the visiting uniforms. Vince Harrison played here in 2004 and Johnny Raburn was part of last year's championship team.

Harrison provided the "1" in Montgomery's all-time 1-204 record when trailing after eight innings. He hit a two-out, two-run double to give the Biscuits a 3-2 win over Birmingham on Sept. 4, ,2004.

With Friday's flurry of moves, the Devil Rays still have another move to make to clear up their 40-man roster. By the way, Andy Sonnanstine's debut Tuesday at Toronto will come against Roy Halladay, a four-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner.

Small change in Montgomery's usual lineup tonight. Reid Brignac and Evan Longoria, who are usually 3-4 in the order, are going 2-3.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Jason Pridie, cf
Reid Brignac, ss
Evan Longoria, 3b
John Jaso, dh
Chris Nowak, 1b
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Patrick Breen, lf
Matt Spring, c
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Chris Seddon, lhp

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, lf
Eric Riggs, 2b
Chase Lambin, ss
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Ryan Bear, 1b
Johnny Raburn, rf
Vince Harrison, dh
Brett Hayes, c
Jai Miller, cf
Daniel Barone, rhp

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(27-28, second place, 6 GB)
RHP Jason Hammel threw a five-hit shutout Monday, walking none and striking out six. Hammel’s 100 pitches included 79 strikes. He’s 3-5 with a 2.85 ERA and has allowed hitters a .196 average.
LHP Jeff Ridgway hasn’t allowed a hit in two appearances since a two-run, one-inning outing May 24. He has a 2.25 ERA.
1B Wes Bankston has home runs in two straight games, including a game-ending 10th-inning shot Friday, to give him eight this season. He’s hitting .253 with a team-high 30 RBIs.
RF Justin Ruggiano is hitting .295 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs.
3B Joel Guzman has seven RBIs in his last 10 games. He has a .225 average, seven homers and 25 RBIs this season.
SS Ben Zobrist’s five-game hit streak has pushed his average to .246.
RHP Seth McClung, with a blown save Friday, is 4-of-8 in save opportunities. He’s 0-2 with a 2.08 ERA.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(25-28, tied for third, 7.5 GB)
RHP Wade Davis gave up four runs over six innings Thursday and saw his ERA balloon to 1.95. He’s 3-0 with a .217 average against.
LHP Jake McGee’s two-run, 5.2-inning no-decision Wednesday left him with a 1.97 ERA. He’s 4-1 with a .190 average against.
1B Rhyne Hughes is hitting .331 with six home runs and 31 RBIs.
C Christian Lopez is hitting .295 with 18 runs scored.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(35-20, third place, 3 GB)
RHP Heath Rollins, who is 6-0 with a 1.09 ERA, gave up his second earned run in his last nine starts in a no-decision Friday. He had won four straight starts and won this week’s South Atlantic League pitching award.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson gave up four runs in four innings to lose his last start.
LF Ryan Royster has 11 RBIs in his last eight games.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
2B Fernando Cortez snapped a seven-game hit streak Friday in which he was 12-for-29 at Class AAA Omaha (Royals). He’s hitting .293 with 28 runs scored.
RHP Jean Machi hasn’t allowed a hit to the last 23 hitters he’s faced for Class AA New Hampshire (Blue Jays). He has a 2.97 ERA and a .179 average against.
RHP Jim Magrane allowed two runs over seven innings in a loss Tuesday with Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals). He’s 1-4 with a 4.50 ERA.
SS Jace Brewer has a .255 average for Class AA Wichita (Royals).
UTIL Dan DeMent is hitting .229 at Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals).
C Ryan Christianson is 1-for-5 in two games since coming off the disabled list with Class AAA Memphis (Cardinals). He’s hitting .246.
2B Frank Moore has a .344 average in 13 games at Class AAA Albuquerque (Marlins).
RHP Willie Glen won the independent Northern League’s weekly pitching award for Gary. In his first three starts, Glen was 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 18.2 innings.
RHP Jose Diaz is 2-2 with a 3.28 ERA for the Yokohama BayStars in Japan.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Sonnanstine to big leagues

Andy Sonnanstine was promoted to the major leagues tonight and will start for the Devil Rays on Tuesday against Toronto.

J.P. Howell was also promoted from Class AAA Durham.

Love thy neighbor night

For anyone who still holds one iota of belief that Riverwalk Stadium could host the Southeastern Conference, may I point you to today's NCAA Division II championship game.

This might be an adequate facility for the press for a Biscuits game (when it's usually just me), but there are about 15 press people squeezing into a suite tonight.

The press box isn't available because television needs enough space to cover the usual press area. The city suite isn't big enough for us, our computers and the notebooks we have to use at once. Since we need to both be able to watch the game and type at the same time, this is enough room for about four writers.

The owner's suite -- and we've used the outdoor seating there all week -- isn't available. A delegation from the University of Tampa was assigned the team's suite. I guess the 18 other suites in this place weren't satisfactory.

The SEC tournament has seating for at least 100 media.

Rays to adjust rotation?

The St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune are stoking the fires over a potential change in the Tampa Bay starting rotation and their writers have been dropping strong hints that Andy Sonnanstine could be in line for a promotion. Lesser hints have involved J.P. Howell and Jason Hammel.

Sonnanstine, who gave up 10 hits and four runs over six innings in a Thursday loss, isn't on the 40-man roster, so the Rays would have to make a move there to accomodate him. Waiving current starter Jae Seo may be that move.

Something to keep an eye on.