Biscuits clinch division title

The Biscuits beat the Suns 6-3 tonight to wrap up a playoff berth.

Biscuits try to clinch

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Biscuits need one win in the five-game series at Jacksonville to clinch a playoff spot but hope to get it finished tonight in the opener. That would give them four days to relax and arrange everything for the playoffs.

It was raining earlier, but the tarp is off the field and the Suns are expecting a crowd of about 11,000.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Josh Arhart, c
Erold Andrus, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Wade Davis, rhp

SUNS
Xavier Paul, rf
Blake DeWitt, 3b
Kevin Howard, 2b
A.J. Ellis, c
Anthony Raglani, lf
Alberto Concepcion, 1b
James Tomlin, cf
David Nicholson, ss
Jimmy Rohan, dh
Clayton Kershaw, lhp

Rossetti extends clubhouse dominance

Shane Rossetti continued the Biscuits' dominance in one Southern League award category.

Rossetti was named the league's top visiting clubhouse attendant today, marking the third time in four years Montgomery has had the honor.

Rossetti, who is from Concord, N.H., is in his third season with the Devil Rays. He worked at Class AA Orlando in 2003 and Rookie-level Princeton in 2005. In the offseason, he coaches hockey and officiates high school soccer and basketball.

Matt Gallant won the award last year and Scott Mauldin won it in 2004. Gallant is at Class AAA Louisville this year. Mauldin, whose nickname was "Baylor," was at Chattanooga in 2005.

Longoria named league MVP; Mason top pitcher

The Biscuits carried home some hefty hardware today.

Former Biscuits third baseman Evan Longoria won the Southern League's most valuable player award and Chris Mason was named the league's top pitcher.

Longoria was promoted to Class AAA Durham on Aug. 1, but still ranks among the Southern League leaders in several categories. At the time of his promotion, the 21-year-old led the league with 76 RBIs and 78 runs scored and was tied for the league lead with 21 home runs. He's still fifth with a .307 average, tied for third in homers, fifth in RBIs and fourth in runs scored. He's also first in slugging percentage and fourth in on-base percentage.

Longoria is the second Biscuit to win Southern League MVP honors. Outfielder Delmon Young won in 2005.

Mason ranks first in the league in wins and ERA, plus is among the top five in strikeouts. He's 15-4 with a 2.53 ERA. His ERA is about 1 1/2 runs better than the league average. Mason hasn't gone more than two starts without a victory this season and the Biscuits are 22-5 in his starts with 10 wins in a row.

Montgomery, which has won a franchise-record 11 straight games, had three other players named to the postseason All-Star team: catcher John Jaso, outfielder Fernando Perez and relief pitcher Dale Thayer.

Huntsville's Don Money, whose team is close to clinching its third straight half-season pennant, was named the top manager.

The postseason All-Star team is based on a vote of managers, radio broadcasters and newspaper writers from around the league.

The full team ...
Catcher: John Jaso, Montgomery
First base: Javier Brito, Mobile
Second base: Emilio Bonifacio, Mobile
Third base: Evan Longoria, Montgomery
Shortstop: Chin-Lung Hu, Jacksonville

Outfielders: Charlton Jimerson, West Tenn; Brendan Katin, Huntsville; Fernando Perez, Montgomery; Justin Upton, Mobile
DH: Lee Mitchell, Carolina
Utility: Wilkin Castillo, Mobile
Best hustler: Carl Loadenthal, Mississippi

Right-handed pitcher: Chris Mason, Montgomery
Left-handed pitcher: Gio Gonzalez, Birmingham
Relief pitcher: Dale Thayer, Montgomery

MVP: Longoria
Top pitcher: Mason
Manager of the Year: Don Money, Huntsville

E-Long

I had 12 on the brain for Thursday's paper: 12 runs scored by the Biscuits, 12-game win streak is the longest in the league this year, 12-game win streak by the Biscuits. Except the Biscuits have only won 11 straight. It's corrected for our "international edition" (the Internet).

By the way, I found this ironic. Wednesday's game ended at 10:20, so it was pressing my deadline to file a story. However, the players had to wait on the field for the postgame fireworks and then had a 15-minute autograph session. The Advertiser sponsored the autograph session. Our first edition has a story without quotes, but you city edition readers are OK.

Just not when it comes to that win streak.

Thayer clinches SL saves title

Dale Thayer, despite being promoted to Class AAA Durham three weeks ago, clinched an unprecedented third straight Southern League saves championship tonight.

Chattanooga's Carlos Guevara needed an unlikely six saves in the Lookouts' last six games to pass Thayer's 21 but didn't pick up a save tonight in a 5-4 win at Tennessee.

Guevara has 16 saves and can still tie Thayer, though it's quite unlikely he'll go 5-for-5 in the last series of the year.

Thayer had a league-high 27 saves for the Mobile BayBears in each of the last two years.

What a wild night

Carolina's Chase Lambin just homered and walked off the field with a single.

In the third inning with Johnny Raburn on first base, Lambin hit a ball to deep center that Montgomery outfielder Fernando Perez first appeared to catch. Raburn had reached second and started retreating to first with Perez sitting on the warning track.

When umpire Chris Ward reached Perez, he found out the ball cleared the wall and signaled home run.

Oh, but Lambin had passed Raburn on the basepaths.

So, Lambin is out and his home run becomes a single. Raburn is awarded home on Lambin's "homer."

That didn't take long

Carolina manager Brandon Hyde was ejected during the pregame meeting tonight.

Hyde and third-base umpire Doug Levy started having words pretty quickly after Hyde arrived at the plate. Home-plate umpire Manny Gonzalez had the honors.

Hyde and Levy had a confrontation at the end of Tuesday's doubleheader and had to be separated.

A quick Internet search reveals that this is the third time this season that Gonzalez has ejected Hyde. The other two were in the same series at Mobile: May 29 and June 1.

Biscuits face 'dry' night, adjust rotation, add AFL pitcher

Barring a collapse, the Biscuits will make the playoffs, but tonight's game is still the final scheduled home game of the year, so it's fireworks and an expected large crowd.

It could be a "dry" night for Montgomery, which faces Carolina right-hander Chris Volstad, the Florida Marlins' No. 1 prospect. (Yes, I made a very whimsical historical pun, despite the slight spelling variation, that I'm thinking almost nobody will understand without hitting this link.)

With Tuesday's doubleheader, Biscuits starter Chris Mason was facing only three days rest before his next start Saturday at Jacksonville. He's not anymore. Instead, Mike Prochaska drew the short straw, while Mason won't pitch until Sunday.

Also, Prochaska has been added to Tampa Bay's party at the Arizona Fall League.

The Biscuits' magic number is three entering tonight.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Chris Nowak, dh
Josh Arhart, c
Erold Andrus, rf
Patrick Cottrell, 3b
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Tony Peguero, rhp

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, cf
Johnny Raburn, lf
Chase Lambin, 2b
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Grant Psomas, 1b
Frank Moore, rf
Ryan Bear, dh
Brett Hayes, c
Rex Rundgren, ss
Chris Volstad, rhp

Dukes shows up in independent league

Troubled Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes, who played for the Biscuits in 2005, has been seen in public again. He coached first base Monday night for the Charlotte County Redfish in the independent South Coast League.

Credit The Tampa Tribune's Marc Lancaster for finding the story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Game 1 lineups

The tarp, of course, is on the field. Nice wad of red on the radar just left Highland Home and is heading due north.

5:20 p.m. update: Biscuits general manager Greg Rauch just said they're looking at a 6:15 start. On the radar, all the red is gone and there's a little yellow creeping up I-65 just south of Hope Hull, but it should be clear after that.

5:50 p.m. update: The tarp is off the field.

Game 1 lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, dh
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Chris Nowak, 3b
Patrick Breen, lf
Erold Andrus, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Chris Mason, rhp

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, lf
Johnny Raburn, rf
Chase Lambin, 2b
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Jai Miller, cf
Frank Moore, 1b
Ryan Bear, dh
Brett Hayes, c
Rex Rundgren, ss
Gaby Hernandez, rhp

6:17 p.m. update: First pitch

6:58 update: First inning ends. A nine-run, nine-hit inning by the Biscuits will do that. (A throwing error and two passed balls by Carolina catcher Brett Hayes didn't help.)

7 p.m. update: One of the passed balls has been changed to a wild pitch.

Miller v. Wright

Figured I might as well go ahead and look up how Wesley Wright and Jai Miller have done against each other.

2007
Jacksonville vs. Carolina
May 4: strike out, looking
May 21: F-9
Aug. 11: strike out, swinging

2006
didn't face each other

2005
Columbus (Ga.) vs. Greensboro
June 9: single, scored

2004
didn't face each other

2003
GCL Dodgers vs. GCL Marlins
specific box scores unavailable
Wright faced the Marlins five times
in those games, Miller was a combined 3-for-15 with two runs scored

Miller, Nix, Wright also set for Arizona

Selma's Jai Miller, Auburn's Michael Nix and Grady's Wesley Wright have also been picked for the Arizona Fall League.

Wright and Miller, friendly rivals in junior high in Montgomery, will be teammates on the Peoria Saguaros, while Nix is with the Peoria Javelinas. Tampa Bay's delegation will be with the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Nix is a pitcher with the Mississippi Braves, Miller a center fielder for the Carolina Mudcats and Wright a pitcher with the Jacksonville Suns.

Russell County High's Colby Rasmus, an outfielder who is St. Louis' top prospect, will play for the Mesa Solar Sox. Rasmus is currently with Class AA Springfield.

Rainout

Game rained out. Doubleheader starting at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday.

For playoff's sake, Biscuits won't like a rainout

We're still waiting on the weather, but the Biscuits might vote to play tonight.

They already have a doubleheader Saturday at Jacksonville -- with two nine-inning games -- and to play another doubleheader Tuesday would mess up the regular off days for their starting pitchers.

Chris Mason is supposed to start tonight and is scheduled to start the second game Saturday. If tonight is washed out, Mason will have one less day of rest.

Monday's method to madness

Biscuits pitcher James Houser isn't going to the Arizona Fall League after Major League Baseball reversed itself and ruled Houser wasn't eligible. Houser, serving a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, had been cleared for the AFL when his suspension was announced.

Jon Barratt, who isn't going to the AFL because of a sore shoulder, threw a 25-pitch simulated game today and the Biscuits expect to activate him for the Jacksonville series.

Third baseman Patrick Cottrell arrived safely from Vero Beach ... and was going through the usual instruction on how to play cribbage before the game. Also, pitcher Tim Corcoran has been cleared to pitch after a week's break with a tender elbow.

Since it's pouring rain, we won't be starting for a little while, either.

Your lineups (if the rain subsides) ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, dh
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Chris Nowak, 3b
Patrick Breen, lf
Erold Andrus, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Chris Mason, rhp -- blond bomber tonight

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, lf
Johnny Raburn, rf
Chase Lambin, 2b
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Jai Miller, cf
Frank Moore, 1b
Ryan Bear, dh
Brett Hayes, c
Rex Rundgren, ss
Gaby Hernandez, rhp

Rays adjust AFL roster

Biscuits pitchers James Houser and Jon Barratt are off Tampa Bay's list for the Arizona Fall League. The Devil Rays announced their contingent today and included Durham's Calvin Medlock, but not the two Montgomery left-handers.

Houser was suspended last weekend for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance but remained eligible for the AFL. Barratt went on the disabled list at the same time with a sore shoulder, which may be why the Rays pulled him.

The other AFLers: Evan Meek, Nick DeBarr, Reid Brignac, John Jaso, Evan Longoria and Chris Nowak. Nowak said last week he's on the taxi squad until Longoria heads to Taiwan with Team USA for the IBAF World Cup.

Gaby lands league award

Montgomery's Gabriel Martinez won the Southern League's weekly hitting award today.

Martinez was 13-of-30 with seven RBIs last week, including a four-RBI game in the series opener at Birmingham. He also hit an RBI single that capped a six-run ninth-inning rally in the finale that assured a series sweep.

Jacksonville's Clayton Kershaw, who allowed four hits and totaled 18 strikeouts in 13 innings, was the top pitcher. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his start Saturday at Mobile.

David Price on the spot

David Price does a Q&A with the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. On a personal note, I can attest that the writer has no tennis game, for what that's worth. Can't shoot hoops, either.

The writer's blog: Troy's Noise.

Hughes in good spirits, wants to return

First baseman Rhyne Hughes lost four teeth and chipped two others in Saturday's ugly hit by pitch. He suffered no fractures, didn't require surgery after being hit in the face and left Baptist South about 2 a.m. today.

"I'm feeling OK, but my lips are really swollen," Hughes said Sunday. "Once the swelling goes down, I'll feel a lot better."

Hughes, who wasn't at the stadium Sunday, said he bit through his bottom lip. He's supposed to see the Biscuits' team dentist Monday and have another visit with an oral surgeon Wednesday. He also saw an oral surgeon Saturday night.

Hughes may be at Riverwalk on Monday and said he plans to return this year.

"The dentist said he thought I could come back before the year ends, especially if we make the playoffs," Hughes said. "I don't know if I'll be nervous or anything at the plate. We'll see how that goes."

The Biscuits are scheduled to add third baseman Patrick Cottrell on Monday to take one of their two open roster spots. Entering Sunday, Cottrell had a .261 average, 10 home runs and 60 RBIs for high-Class A Vero Beach.

In other tidbits, the Devil Rays got a little discount on Mike Prochaska's travel when he was demoted to Montgomery. Prochaska was already planning on the trip to pick up the belongings he'd left here when he was promoted. He had purchased a plane ticket for last Monday early enough to get it cheaply before the Devil Rays decided for him to stay.

Also, way down in Louisiana, Montgomery native Evan Cherry and the Alexandria Aces are one win from the United League championship. The Aces lead Rio Grande 2-0 in the best-of-5 series after winning at Rio Grande the last two nights.

Your lineups for what's become a soggy Sunday ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 3b
Gabriel Martinez, 1b
Josh Arhart, c
Erold Andrus, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Jake McGee, lhp

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, lf
Rex Rundgren, ss
Chase Lambin, 2b
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Jai Miller, cf
Ryan Bear, dh
Grant Psomas, 1b
Brad Davis, c
Johnny Raburn, rf
Chris Seddon, lhp

Hughes taken to hospital; status unknown

First baseman Rhyne Hughes, hit in the face with a pitch in the eighth inning Saturday, was taken to Baptist South. He lost several teeth, though "one was pushed up into his gums. They're going to try to save that one," Biscuits manager Billy Gardner said.

Hughes didn't lose consciousness, trainer Jimmy Southard said.

The injury comes on the one-year anniversary of the collision that marked the end of Biscuits catcher Chairon Isenia's career.

Tarp is off the field

Though dark clouds remain, the tarp is off the field and the Biscuits are wearing their road uniforms, which are being auctioned off.

Montgomery reliever Tim Corcoran isn't expected to pitch for a few days after tweaking the elbow that had him on the disabled list for two months. Carolina outfielder Jai Miller, a Selma native, has 45-50 people on his pass list.

With that, your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, dh
Gabriel Martinez, lf
Chris Nowak, 3b
Erold Andrus, rf
Josh Arhart, c
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Wade Davis, rhp

MUDCATS
Dante Brinkley, lf
Johnny Raburn, rf -- former Biscuit
Chase Lambin, 2b
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Grant Psomas, 1b
Jai Miller, cf -- will his cheers exceed those for Jacksonville's Wesley Wright of Grady?
Frank Moore, dh -- former Biscuit
Brett Hayes, c
Rex Rundgren, ss
James Russ, rhp

Mudcats also feature Chris Seddon, another former Biscuit.

"Joyful" fan is back

At least he included his name, which I removed from this. He also included my boss, the sports editor, among the recipients.
=====

To the Prattville Advertiser,

I just want to thank you for being such a great hometown paper and putting a Prattville story at the top of your sports page. I would hate to imagine having to read a Montgomery paper and having the top story about the Montgomery Biscuits SWEEPING, yes SWEEPING, a series on THE ROAD and taking sole possession of FIRST PLACE in the Southern Division. Thank god we have the Prattville Advertiser putting that story on page two and reporting on own our hometown at the top of page one. I just dread the first Biscuit loss when, as usual, that story will be the lead sports story taking Prattville's rightly spot on the front page.

You truly have the journalistic wisdom to realize that Prattville deserves the lead story because they are defending their title this season. Well, so are the Biscuits, but that's different. You fully understand that a professional baseball team in the capital city of the state of Alabama, affiliated with a major league organization is completely secondary to news about a HIGH SCHOOL story in Prattville. Thanks so much once again for your savvy reporting and editing. Keep up the good work. Lord forbid the Biscuits making the playoffs and possibly taking up space on page one. Oh I'm sorry, for a second there I thought I was writing to a MONTGOMERY newspaper. I know such a crazy thought of the Biscuits having priority on a sports story would never happen in the Prattville Advertiser.

By the way, Stacy, my name happens to be ***, DUH!!!!! And if it's your policy to have a last name, that would be ********. Happy now, Dilbert?


=====
my response ...

First, thanks for putting your name. That means you warrant a response.

Second, how immature are you to not only butcher my name, but too also resort to name calling? Great way to get your point across in a mature manner.

Third, Prattville is in our coverage area. Get over your apparent jealousy of that area.

Fourth, layout decisions -- I'll assume you know what I mean since you feel you're an expert at recognizing "savvy reporting and editing" -- are done before any night game starts. If we had the ability to predict, as you called it, that the Biscuits' game last weekend would be "perhaps their best game of the season," I would use that talent in something besides journalism. It is possible to change those layout decisions late but -- as you probably know -- they are rare because doing so takes time and deadlines don't change. If the Biscuits (or the other team) had a historic feat in the neighborhood of a no-hitter, we would consider changing the layout

Fifth, the Biscuits' win last weekend was one win among 140 games. The Houser situation, however unfortunate, had an effect that Friday night and -- because the bullpen was depleted more from that -- again on Saturday. It has an effect for the rest of the season on the team and, unfortunately again, affects Houser into next year. For you to not recognize that the Houser story was bigger than one game kind of hurts your credibility to recognize "savvy reporting and editing."

I look forward to your next name-calling, capital letter-filled missive. They do make for good posts on my blog.

Thanks,
-A. StAAAAAAcy "Dilbert" Long

How to find 米克 and ホセロ

Someone asked a few weeks ago in a comment about how I find the statistics for Travis Minix way over in Taiwan for the Wayward Biscuits feature in the weekly stats graphic. I just saw the question tonight, so I thought I should make this a separate thread so maybe they'll see it.

Minix -- or should I say 米克? -- plays for the Macoto Cobras, whose Web site is www.macotocobras.com.tw, but here's Minix's player page there. He also has a page at the league's Web site.

Every time I decide to use Minix in the "system check," I have to put the statistics page abbreviations through a Google translation. (四死 comes out as "four dead," which I take to mean walk. If I'm wrong, someone let me know.)


I do the same thing with Jose Diaz in Japan, though the Yokohama BayStars' page will fully translate through Google. Diaz (ホセロ) translates into "hosero."

I think I knew about Diaz and Biscuits fan Brent Smeltzer knew about Minix heading overseas, but I may have players swapped.

If anyone's curious, Taiwan is 17 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time. Yokohama is 18 hours ahead.

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(74-58, first place, 1.5 GA)
RF Justin Ruggiano is hitting .449 in his current 11-game hitting streak with three home runs, 10 runs scored and 12 RBIs. For the season, Ruggiano has a .313 average, 19 home runs and 72 RBIs. He’s 26-of-35 on steals.
3B Evan Longoria was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored Friday. In 20 games, he has scored 14 runs and knocked in 15. Longoria is hitting .309 with four homers.
LHP J.P. Howell allowed four hits and one earned run in eight innings to win Wednesday. He’s 6-7 with a 3.49 ERA and a league-leading 129 strikeouts. Howell has struck out at least eight in his last five starts.
RHP Jeff Niemann allowed three runs over four innings Tuesday in his first outing since July 30 (shoulder fatigue). Niemann threw 71 pitches, 44 for strikes.
RHP Dale Thayer hasn’t allowed a hit in four appearances since Aug. 9, when he debuted by allowing three runs in two-thirds of an inning.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(20-39, sixth place, 12 GB)
RHP Doug Waechter threw a five-inning, four-hit shutout Friday after pitching six no-hit innings in a win last Sunday. In eight starts, he’s 3-4 with a 4.89 ERA, but is 3-0, 1.27 in his last four outings.
RF Sergio Pedroza homered twice Monday and has 22 homers this year. He’s slugging .543 with 64 RBIs.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(36-23, first place, 1.5 GA)
RHP Heath Rollins won his sixth straight start Friday and broke Tampa Bay’s minor-league record with his 16th victory. He’s 16-4 with a 2.66 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 26 starts. Hitters have a .226 average against Rollins.
C Matt Spring came within a single of hitting for the cycle Friday, hitting a two-run homer in the second inning, a double in the fifth and a two-run triple in the eighth. It was Spring’s first triple since July 2005 and the fourth of his career. Spring has 10 RBIs in his last six games.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
(28-34, fourth place, 12 GB)
RHP Kevin Boggan has a 1.23 ERA and five saves in 10 appearances. He’s given up 12 hits, walked eight and struck out 23 in 22 innings.
C Mike McCormick is 14-for-31 in his current eight-game hit streak. His season numbers include a .304 average, 35 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
RHP Alex Cobb has won two straight starts and is 5-3 with a 2.96 ERA.
LF Stephen Vogt, who had a season-high four RBIs on Aug. 18, is hitting .304 with 40 RBIs and 33 runs scored.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
(30-33, tied for third, 14 GB)
LHP Frank De Los Santos allowed two hits over five shutout innings to win Friday, walking none and striking out a season-high seven. He’s 3-5 with a 3.79 ERA.
1B Ben Humphrey has hit three homers in his last eight games and is hitting .233 this year with four homers.
RHP Jeremy Hall, who has a 1.56 ERA in 12 starts, won Wednesday for the first time since July 7. He’s 4-1 with 11 walks and 59 strikeouts.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
3B Vince Harrison has a .290 average, 18 runs scored and 15 RBIs in 29 games with Class AA Binghamton (Mets).
2B Fernando Cortez is 9-for-26 in his last seven games at Class AAA Omaha (Royals). He’s hitting .295 with a .346 on-base percentage this year.
UTIL Dan DeMent, who was 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs Friday, has a .275 average and 59 RBIs for Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals).
RHP Jim Magrane won three straight starts at Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals) until allowing four runs in 6.2 innings for a no-decision Friday.
RF Shaun Cumberland has nine hits, seven runs scored and six RBIs in his last seven games, pushing his average to .301 since he joined Class AA Chattanooga (Reds).
RHP Jose Veras has three saves and three hits allowed in his last four appearances with Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees).
RHP Marcos Carvajal’s ERA at Class AA Binghamton (Mets) soared to 5.50 after he allowed five runs in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday. He was 0-3 with a 14.72 ERA in his previous four appearances.
LHP Jason Cromer is 2-7 with one save and a 5.70 ERA for Class AA Wichita (Royals).
RHP Jose Diaz has allowed 43 hits in 60.2 innings with the Yokohama BayStars in Japan. He’s struck out 58 and walked 51.
RHP Travis Minix is 4-2 with nine saves and a 2.19 ERA for the Macoto Cobras in Taiwan. He’s struck out 45 and walked 12 in 49.1 innings.

Spring hauls in ~triple~

Rest easy, everybody. Matt Spring tripled Friday night and life goes on.

Spring came within a single of hitting for the cycle with Class A Columbus.
I'm not as inspired at the moment as I was last year when Shawn Riggans notched a three-bagger (see blog entry of May 13, 2006), so I won't write about the epic nature of this event.

Friday's wasn't the first triple of Spring's career -- May 13 was Riggans' first -- but Spring's previous was July 1, 2005.

Biscuits hold record no more

Class A Columbus' Heath Rollins set a Tampa Bay minor-league record Friday with his 16th win. Rollins, who is 16-4, broke the record set last year in Montgomery by Andy Sonnanstine. Rollins has a 2.66 ERA.

My end-of-season All-Star vote is complete

Of course, I'm not going to share it yet. First, I want to know who would have gotten your vote among the Southern League's best.

MAJOR AWARDS
Vote a first, second and third choice for MVP and list reasons for your No. 1.
Vote a first, second and third for Most Outstanding Pitcher and justify No. 1.
Vote a first, second and third for Manager of the Year and justify No. 1.

ALL-STAR TEAM
Just list a player for these.

1 catcher
1 first baseman
1 second baseman
1 third baseman
1 shortstop
4 outfielders

1 DH (I voted for the top player who didn't get my vote in those first six categories)
1 utility (I voted for the next top player who saw decent time at many positions)

1 "best hustler" (Don't ask me to justify anything on this one)

1 right-handed starting pitcher
1 left-handed starting pitcher
1 relief pitcher

Final football tab finished

Just wanted to let everyone know that the college preview section has been finished. (Yes, I just got home.) I was a mere assistant to the masterful efforts of a maestro, Hugh Owen, and can only humbly pay homage to his expertise.

Now, I have to cast my vote for the end-of-season Southern League All-Star team. I realized on the drive home that it's due ... today. Anybody have nominations?

McGee lands league award

Biscuits pitcher Jake McGee was the Southern League's pitcher of the week for his effort against Jacksonville on Wednesday.

McGee gave up one hit over 6 1/3 shutout innings, retired the first 14 batters he faced and combined with Nick DeBarr on a two-hit shutout. It was McGee's second Class AA start.

Joyful "fan" responds

StAAAAAAcy,

I'm not talking any particular school, Dilbert, I'm trying to talk about our hometown paper (rag) promoting the MONTGOMERY BISCUITS and their wins rather than all the bad news about the Biscuits.

I'm sorry that I can't respond to your question, but I fail to see how that has anything to do with your paper/rag's lack of positive coverage of the Biscuits' triumphs as opposed to their misfortunes. Why can't you answer that?

=====
response: "I could answer your question, but I've still not seen your name mentioned on either e-mail. I make it a policy that if a person wants information, they can at least tell me their name."

Prochaska returns to Biscuits

Pitcher Mike Prochaska is returning to the Biscuits from Class AAA Durham. He'll join the team Monday for its series opener at Birmingham.

Joyful "fan" e-mail

These people live among you.

I normally wouldn't pass this along, but since the person apparently decided not to give his/her name, why not?

I will answer the first part. Decisions about where to place stories are made before the game's start. If we had the ability to sense Saturday would be "maybe" the Biscuits' "best game of the year," we'd be making a ton of money somewhere named Las Vegas. Also, Saturday was one game. The Houser situation will affect them the rest of the season.

Always good to have my name satirized. =)
=====

Hey StAAAAAAcy (god, what does the A. stand for if you go by StAAAAAAcy?),

Why is it that when the Biscuits have maybe their best game of the year, the story ends up on page 4, while negative news of James Houser is on the front page of the paper and the top story on the sports page? Earlier in the series with Jacksonville, when J'ville won big it was also mentioned on the front page and again the top story on the sports page. The very next game, when the Biscuits won, it was NOT mentioned on the front page and was the bottom story on the sports page. If you haven't noticed, your paper is titled "The MONTGOMERY Advertiser." And if you also haven't noticed, it's the MONTGOMERY Biscuits. It's not the Prattville Advertiser and we're not the Prattville Biscuits. On top of that, the vast majority of Montgomery, who support our hometown team, would rather read the good news about the Biscuits rather than another top sports page story about some nerdy private school golfer.

I'll never forget one of your season opening articles where you were bitch whining about having to do some real work covering the Biscuits rather than sitting on your lazy rear, getting stories off the AP wire or quoting the Mobile Register, Birmingham News, or Anniston Star (Oh, I forgot, that's what the Advertiser/Gannett calls true reporting).

Come on StAAAAAAcy, why don't you and your rag give your readers what they want to read. Stop focusing on the Biscuits' negatives and kissing up to Prattville and the nerdy private schools. Make the top stories OUR hometown team's triumphs!!!

=====
my reply to the individual: "So, which schools do you feel deserve our kisses?"

Houser on his suspension

Biscuits pitcher James Houser said steroids were NOT why he was suspended today for violating baseball's drug policy, saying it was "just a mistake, something I regret.”

That leaves amphetamines, but Houser wouldn't specify what caused a 50-game suspension.

“I made a mistake and I have to pay the consequences," Houser said. "I feel bad for my teammates and the organization. I’ll live and learn, go on from here and come back next year.”

Houser to stay with Biscuits

Pitcher James Houser will remain with the Biscuits for the rest of the season, though he's been suspended, and continue to work out and stay on a regular throwing program. He's not allowed to dress in uniform or go in the dugout for games.

Houser had a workout this afternoon.

Saturday's lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 3b
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Erold Andrus, rf
Patrick Breen, lf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Richard De Los Santos, rhp

SUNS
Kevin Howard, 2b
Juan Gonzalez, ss
Cory Dunlap, 1b
A.J. Ellis, c
Anthony Raglani, lf
Alberto Concepcion, rf
Xavier Paul, dh
James Tomlin, cf
David Nicholson, 3b
Joey Norrito, rhp

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(70-56, second place, 1 GB)
CF Jason Pridie, who doubled, homered and knocked in five runs Wednesday, has a .311 average, 27 RBIs and 35 runs scored in 47 games. In his last 10 games, he’s 13-for-38 with 11 RBIs.
RHP Mitch Talbot threw seven shutout innings Monday to win his fourth straight start and tie for the league lead in wins. He’s 11-8 with a 4.61 ERA.
1B Wes Bankston has three home runs and eight RBIs in his last six games. He’s hitting .254 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs.
3B Evan Longoria has a .261 average, four doubles, three homers and nine RBIs in 14 games. He’s drawn 11 walks.
RF Justin Ruggiano has a .429 average in August and a .305 season average with 16 homers and 25 stolen bases.
RHP Jeff Niemann, who is 11-5 with a 3.90 ERA, is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday. He hasn’t pitched since July 30 because of shoulder fatigue.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(15-36, sixth place, 12.5 GB)
RHP Mike Wlodarczyk won Thursday despite allowing five runs in six innings and is 4-1 with a 6.59 ERA in his last six starts. He’s 8-5 with a 4.09 ERA this year.
RF Sergio Pedroza, since going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs on Aug. 12, is 4-for-17 with no RBIs and no extra-base hits. His season numbers include a .285 average, 19 homers and 56 RBIs.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(33-20, first place, 0.5 GA)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson allowed two hits over six shutout innings Wednesday and has won six straight starts. He’s 8-1 with a 2.68 ERA in his last 10 starts. Hellickson is 12-2 with a 2.69 ERA, 30 walks and 96 strikeouts in 100.1 innings.
LF Ryan Royster is hitting .357 with nine home runs, 18 runs scored and 22 RBIs in his last 14 games. Royster has a .322 average, 25 RBIs and 88 RBIs this year.
RHP Wade Townsend has been shut down with an elbow injury. He was 6-10 with a 5.08 ERA, allowing 16 homers and a .238 average.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
(22-31, fourth place, 14.5 GB)
LF Stephen Vogt hit his fourth homer Thursday and has a .293 average and 32 RBIs.
CF Emeel Salem has a .310 average and 28 runs scored. He’s 24-of-27 on steals.
RF Maiko Loyola is hitting .312 with 36 runs scored and 29 RBIs. He’s 19-of-22 on steals.
RHP Aneudi Cuevas hasn’t allowed an earned run in six relief appearances.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
(24-31, fourth place, 17 GB)
RHP Jeremy Hall allowed one run over eight innings and left with a no-decision Friday. In his previous two starts, Hall pitched 13 shutout innings. He’s 3-1 with a 1.42 ERA, 10 walks and 53 strikeouts in 63.1 innings.
C Mark Thomas, who was 4-for-4 with two doubles, a homer, three runs scored and five RBIs on Aug. 12, has a .231 average and 13 RBIs this season.
RHP Nick Barnese allowed five runs over six innings in his last start, pushing his ERA to 3.91.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
RHP Dewon Brazelton threw a four-hit complete game Wednesday for Class AA Altoona (Pirates). He allowed one unearned run, walked none and struck out seven. Brazelton is 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 12 starts.
RHP Willie Glen’s 10-1 record for independent Gary includes a 3.34 ERA, 29 walks and 138 strikeouts in 118.2 innings. He tied a career high with 12 strikeouts in seven shutout innings Wednesday. It was the fifth time he’s recorded double-digit strikeouts this year.
2B Fernando Cortez was 3-for-4 with two runs scored Friday for Class AAA Omaha (Royals). He has a .301 average.
RHP Carlos Hines is 1-1 with two saves and a 4.29 ERA at Class AAA Fresno (Giants).
RHP Seth McClung is 2-0 with a 1.43 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 19 innings with Class AAA Nashville (Brewers).
3B Rico Washington, after a six-game rehab stay with the GCL Cardinals, was sent to Class AA Springfield (Cardinals). He had missed a month with a knee injury.
OF Francisco Leandro has drawn 68 walks, scored 60 runs and is hitting .255 in 75 games at independent New Jersey.
DH Joey Gomes is hitting .315 with 31 RBIs at independent Newark.
OF Amado German has a .286 average and 30 runs scored with independent Edinburg.
RHP Franklin Nunez is 1-0 with nine saves and a 3.07 ERA at independent York.
1B Jose Velazquez is hitting .267 with 42 runs scored for the independent Can-Am Grays.

Drug suspension ends Houser's season

Biscuits pitcher James Houser will miss the rest of the season after being suspended for violating baseball’s drug policy.

Houser drew a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension, which was announced today by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, will carry into 2008.

Full story

Price headed to Columbus

No. 1 draft pick David Price will report to low-Class A Columbus to toil for the next few weeks, according to The Tampa Tribune and The St. Petersburg Times.

Don't look for him to pitch in a game.

Houser's status in question

Biscuits manager Billy Gardner wouldn't say why James Houser was pulled from tonight's scheduled start.

"There's a statement coming out of Tampa regarding that situation," he said.

Rick Vaughn, Tampa Bay's vice president of communications, said the team will have a release Saturday about Houser.

Houser, who declined comment, is in the dugout and in uniform.

Starter change for BirdZerk! Friday

Montgomery has changed its starter for tonight's game and Saturday's is now up in the air. Tony Peguero will start tonight in place of James Houser (??).

Houser, manager Billy Gardner and pitching coach Neil Allen had a long, closed-door meeting after Wednesday's game that eventually involved field coordinator Jim Hoff.

Saturday's starter is TBA. Jon Barratt has a sore shoulder and will "probably be out another week," Gardner said. His replacement will depend on who is needed tonight.

Zany BirdZerk! is in the house tonight while the Biscuits and Suns play for the South Division lead.

Talked to Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison late last night and he was quite pleased with the team's signing success this summer. Tampa Bay signed its first 16 picks and 20 of its first 21, including (of course) No. 1 overall David Price, who worked out at Tropicana Field today.

Auburn/Alabama Night is Saturday, so we'll see what I can stir up from that.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss -- I promise this is the last one =)
John Jaso, c
Chris Nowak, 3b
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Josh Arhart, dh
Erold Andrus, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Tony Peguero, rhp

SUNS -- major lineup changes (5:45 p.m.)
Kevin Howard, 2b
Juan Gonzalez, ss
Cory Dunlap, 1b
A.J. Ellis, c
Anthony Raglani, lf
James Tomlin, cf
Xavier Paul, dh
Jimmy Rohan, 3b
Thomas Giles, rf
Greg Miller, lhp

Rays' Arizona Fall League roster

Here are the seven Devil Rays minor-leaguers who are headed to the Arizona Fall League:

POSITION PLAYERS
Reid Brignac
John Jaso
Evan Longoria

PITCHERS
Jon Barratt
Nick DeBarr
James Houser
Evan Meek

I'm-sick-of-football Thursday

Tonight is Game 3 of the important series between the Biscuits and Suns.

Josh Arhart, fresh off his second home run of the season and within the last week, wasn't ignored when he reached the dugout Wednesday, while John Jaso has homered in two straight games.

Chris Mason, supposedly with blue hair, will go for his 13th win and try to keep his league-leading ERA. Jacksonville has lost reliever Brian Akin to Class AAA Las Vegas after Akin's two innings Wednesday.

6 p.m. UPDATE: Mason has returned to a white blond look. No blue.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b -- first time in the 2 hole
Reid Brignac, ss -- since I'm known for picking at someone repeatedly for the same thing
John Jaso, c
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b -- settling in on the hot corner
Erold Andrus, rf
Patrick Breen, lf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Chris Mason, rhp -- may I propose his next look?

SUNS
James Tomlin, cf
Blake DeWitt, 3b
Kevin Howard, 2b
Alberto Concepcion, 1b
Cory Dunlap, dh
Anthony Raglani, lf
A.J. Ellis, c
Thomas Giles, rf
Jimmy Rohan, ss
Justin Orenduff, rhp

Prattville's Bailey goes to Sox

Prattville High pitcher Austin Bailey, an Alabama signee, agreed to a contract with the Boston Red Sox today. He was Boston's 16th-round draft pick in June.

Bailey leaves Friday for Florida to work out with Boston's Gulf Coast League team and will be back Sept. 20 for fall instructional ball.

"I'm ready to get away from home and get down there," Bailey said. "The excitedness isn't there yet. We knew this would be at the last second, but everything worked out fine."

D.J. Jones signs with Devil Rays

The Devil Rays signed outfielder D.J. Jones of Gulf Shores tonight. He was their 11th round pick in June and had signed with Auburn.

“I’m very excited,” Jones said. “It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a good experience.”

It was the last day Jones could have signed. He had already enrolled at classes at Auburn after negotiations lasted two months.

“I figured they’d pull through on it, but there were some nerves,” Jones said. “I’m not much of a fan of school.”

Steaming McGee

FIRST: Jake McGee doesn't look nervous tonight. I'll leave it at that.
SECOND: McGee hit 96 to finish off his first two strikeouts. That was on the Riverwalk gun, so it was at least 98. Biscuits score four off Clayton Kershaw to give McGee a lead.
THIRD: McGee strikes out the side, hitting 97 on Juan Gonzalez's third strike.
FOURTH: McGee still has an unmentionable going. He speared a Blake DeWitt comebacker and threw to first for the second out. That pitch was 96.
FIFTH: Blame me. I did use the word "unmentionable." Two outs, including a 96 mph third strike, preceeded the first hit off McGee, a bleeding single through the middle by Anthony Raglani. A.J. Ellis followed with a walk. We have McGee with 70 pitches, 45 for strikes.

SEVENTH: OK, OK, I'm falling behind since hearing that D.J. Jones signed. McGee comes out after issuing a one-out walk in the seventh. He threw 95 pitches, 57 for strikes.

McGee allowed that lone hit in the fifth, walked two and struck out seven. I don't think he was nervous tonight.

Biscuits nix Mason's pink plans

Biscuits pitcher Chris Mason won't get to dye his hair pink for Thursday's start. He had planned to do so to support breast cancer awareness.

"We're going to stay away from that," manager Billy Gardner said. "We don't want to distract from the game. I'm sure he wanted to show his support for something he cares about, but it would be a little out of the box to have pink hair.

"And he wouldn't look good in pink, anyway."

Mason, who had his pink dye located, said he was disappointed he wouldn't be able to put it to use and will move on.

"I'll go with dark blue or something," Mason said. "Something not as drastic. I don't know what blue stands for."

Rays sign Price; Mason has pink dye in hand

No. 1 overall pick David Price and the Rays have agreed to an $8.5 million, major-league contract, according to The Tampa Tribune.

The Tennessean says the deal includes a $5.6 million signing bonus and could reach a total value of $11.25 million.

“We are thrilled to add a player of David’s caliber to our organization," Rays general manager Andrew Friedman said in a release. “Not only was he the most outstanding amateur player in the country this year, we see him as one of the best pitching prospects to come out of the draft in some time. In addition to his remarkable talent, David’s character is exemplary. He is an important building block and a potential upper-echelon starting pitcher for many years.”

The Rays are creating room on the 40-man roster for Price by putting catcher Shawn Riggans on the 60-day DL. He was already out for the season with an elbow injury.


At Riverwalk Stadium, Chris Mason's dye supplier has uncovered the pink he plans to use Thursday for breast cancer awareness -- like in May when Major League Baseball had a day in which hitters used pink bats.

It's also Clayton Kershaw vs. Jake McGee in a matchup of top-tier minor-league left-handers.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, 2b
Reid Brignac, ss -- two Wizard-like plays last night (of course, one of these, too)
John Jaso, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Gabriel Martinez, lf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Josh Arhart, c
Erold Andrus, rf
Jake McGee, lhp

SUNS
James Tomlin, cf
Blake DeWitt, 3b
Kevin Howard, 2b
Alberto Concepcion, rf
Cory Dunlap, dh
Anthony Raglani, lf
A.J. Ellis, c
Juan Gonzalez, ss
Jimmy Rohan, 1b
Clayton Kershaw, lhp

Prattville's Bailey still not signed

Prattville's Austin Bailey, drafted in the 16th round by the Boston Red Sox, still hasn't signed, his uncle, Jeff, said Tuesday night. Bailey is a University of Alabama signee.

Tigers, Porcello drive up Rays' Price?

The Detroit Tigers are poised to give first-round draft pick Rick Porcello a $7 million, major-league contract. Because Porcello is a client of super agent Scott Boras, he fell to the 27th pick in the draft.

That will factor into Tampa Bay's price for No. 1 overall pick David Price, the Vanderbilt pitcher.

Teams have until midnight Wednesday to sign their draft picks.

Not too sunny for Suns

The Jacksonville Suns are showing some grit as I type and are taking batting practice on the field.

It's the opener of a five-game series with the Biscuits needing a series victory to help their prayers for a playoff spot. Though Wednesday's Clayton Kershaw-Jake McGee pairing is the highlight matchup, it's James McDonald and Wade Davis tonight.

The Suns just finished b.p. about the time the visiting team usually starts, so manager John Shoemaker did make some accomodation for the heat.

Shoemaker said they did it because of Monday's off day and because some of his players had never seen Riverwalk. Biscuits activated pitcher Brett Wayne to fill their open roster spot about 5:15. Wayne had been parked on Hudson Valley's roster the last week.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Erold Andrus, rf
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, dh
Gabriel Martinez, lf
Chris Nowak, 3b
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Josh Arhart, c
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Wade Davis, rhp

SUNS
James Tomlin, cf
Blake DeWitt, 3b
Kevin Howard, 2b
Alberto Concepcion, rf
Cory Dunlap, dh
Anthony Raglani, lf
A.J. Ellis, c
Juan Gonzales, zz
Jimmy Rohan, 1b
James McDonald, rhp

Sisk demoted to injury-riddled Vero

Biscuits infielder Aaron Sisk has been demoted to Vero Beach after Vero lost another player to injury.

Shortstop Neil Walton was hit by a pitch Sunday and fractured his wrist, farm director Mitch Lukevics said. Vero was already dealing with a limited roster because outfielder Chris Cunningham is out with a hand injury. He's expected to miss about a week.

Without Sisk, Vero would have only one position player on its bench. Without Sisk, the Biscuits have 23 players, one less than the Southern League's limit.

Kershaw vs. McGee on Wednesday

The minors' top two left-handed starting pitchers will duel Wednesday at Riverwalk Stadium.

Jacksonville's Clayton Kershaw and Montgomery's Jake McGee were ranked 1-2 among lefty starters in Baseball America's recent minor-league position rankings (subscription required).

No. 1 Kershaw, 19, was at low-Class A Great Lakes and No. 2 McGee, who turned 21 last week, at high-Class A Vero Beach until last week. Both made their Class AA debuts Thursday with shaky performances.

Steaming Sunday

The Biscuits and Lookouts finish their series with a sure-to-be-sweltering 5:05 p.m. start today.

There's a certain amount of disbelief over Chris Mason saying he'll have pink hair for his start Thursday against Jacksonville, but Mason says he's doing it. Though umpire Matt Hensel is back in the lineup today after being hit and needing eight minutes to recover Saturday, crewmate Rusty Barrett will miss his third straight game today. Barrett had a friend's wedding to attend.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, lf
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Gabriel Martinez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b -- first game since his shoulder injury; second game of season at third (0-for-2 with a walk and an HBP on May 4)
Rhyne Hughes, 1b -- Florida State League's top hitter only hitting .343 here
Erold Andrus, rf
Josh Asanovich, 2b -- .163 since All-Star break
Jon Barratt, lhp -- six balks leads league

LOOKOUTS
Adam Rosales, 1b -- has reached 11 times in four games
Luis Bolivar, ss
Enrique Cruz, 3b
Caonabo Cosme, 2b
Tyrell Godwin, cf
Daniel Dorn, dh -- no known relation (I wonder how often he's heard that joke.)
Craig Tatum, c
Mike Griffin, lf
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Matt Maloney, lhp -- traded to Cincinnati on July 31

Football, football, football ... and pink hair

Is it too soon to be sick of football? Went to Troy today for some interviews and I like Larry Blakeney and his players are always friendly, but I'm absolutely unprepared mentally for yet another football season. Give me a month, drop the temperatures into the icy 80's and get our two special sections out of the way, and I'll be in a better frame of mind.

I didn't get to Riverwalk until about 40 minutes ago and went straight to the clubhouse.

Chris Mason says he's unveiling pink hair for his next start to raise awareness of breast cancer. The outfielders were spared an afternoon workout by Rays roving instructor Skeeter Barnes because of the high heat.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Erold Andrus, rf
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, dh
Gabriel Martinez, 3b
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Josh Arhart, c
Patrick Breen, lf
Aaron Sisk, 2b
James Houser, lhp

LOOKOUTS
Adam Rosales, 1b
Luis Bolivar, ss
Enrique Cruz, 3b
Caonabo Cosme, dh
Drew Anderson, 2b
Mike Griffin, lf
Craig Tatum, c
Marland Williams, cf
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Justin Mallett, rhp

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(64-55, second place, 3.5 GB)
3B Evan Longoria homered and doubled Thursday and had eight hits in his first seven games. He also homered Tuesday.
RHP Dale Thayer made his debut Thursday and gave up three runs on two hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning.
CF Jason Pridie was 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double and three RBIs Wednesday. He homered again Thursday.
RF Justin Ruggiano has three homers in his last seven games and is 17-for-40 in his last 10 games with 10 runs scored and six RBIs.
RHP Mitch Talbot won his third straight start Wednesday, allowing two runs over six innings. He’s 10-8 with a 4.86 ERA.
2B Elliot Johnson is 2-for-30 in August and has a .205 average this year with 118 strikeouts in 108 games.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(11-33, sixth place, 13.5 GB)
RF Sergio Pedroza homered in four straight games and had 10 RBIs in a three-game stretch. He’s hitting .285 with 19 home runs, 18 doubles and 53 RBIs.
CF Jackson Brennan was 4-for-5 with two runs scored Wednesday and has scored 10 runs in his last 10 games. His season numbers include a .217 average, 46 walks and 53 runs.
RHP Derek Feldkamp gave up six runs (four earned) on six hits in 2.1 innings in his debut Wednesday.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(28-18, third place, 1.5 GB)
LF Ryan Royster has seven home runs and 16 RBIs in his last seven games after Friday’s two-homer, six-RBI game at Greensboro. He’s hitting .318 with 23 homers, 27 doubles and 82 RBIs.
C Nevin Ashley is 15-of-28 in a nine-game hit streak with nine runs scored and four RBIs. He’s hitting .278 with 63 runs and 18 steals.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson improved to 11-2 Friday, despite allowing six runs on six hits, including two home runs, in five innings. He walked one, struck out 10 and saw his ERA slip to 2.86.
CF Desmond Jennings hasn’t played since Aug. 2 with knee soreness but is expected to return early this week. He’s hitting .318 with 45 steals and 75 runs scored.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
(22-28, fourth place, 12.5 GB)
OF Reid Fronk, who knocked in four runs Thursday, has 13 RBIs in his last eight games. He had back-to-back three-RBI games last weekend. In 20 games, he’s hitting .308 with 13 runs scored and 16 RBIs.
OF Stephen Vogt was 5-for-5 Tuesday and has 14 hits in his last six games. His average is .294 with 24 runs scored and 31 RBIs.
RHP Kevin Boggan has a 1.45 ERA and a .171 average against in 18.2 innings. He’s walked five and struck out 19.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
(22-27, fourth place, 13 GB)
RHP Nick Barnese is 1-2 with a 2.42 ERA after a five-inning, four-run loss Tuesday. He’s walked two and struck out 23 in 22.1 innings.
RHP Jeremy Hall threw six shutout innings, walked one and struck out eight in a no-decision Monday. He’s 3-1 with a 1.68 ERA, 10 walks and 41 strikeouts in nine starts.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
RHP Seth McClung threw five shutout innings in his first start at Class AAA Nashville (Brewers). In three appearances, he’s thrown nine innings, allowed six hits, walked three and struck out 10.
3B Rico Washington is 6-for-14 through six games of a rehab assignment to the Gulf Coast Cardinals. He last played at Class AAA Memphis on June 23 before having knee surgery.
RHP Ruddy Lugo has pitched 3.2 shutout innings since returning to the major leagues this week with Oakland.
UTIL Dan DeMent has reached base in 18 straight games for Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals). He was 3-for-6 with two doubles and two RBIs Wednesday.
RHP Jim Magrane allowed three runs in 8.1 innings to win Tuesday for Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals).
RHP Jean Machi hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last six outings at Class AA New Hampshire (Blue Jays). He has a 3.13 ERA in 42 relief appearances.
2B Fernando Cortez is 1-for-11 since coming off the disabled list this week at Class AAA Omaha (Royals). He’s hitting .289.
RHP Marcos Carvajal hasn’t gotten out of the third inning in his last two starts with Class AA Binghamton (Mets). He’s 5-9 with a 4.77 ERA.
C Robinson Cancel has a .257 average at Class AAA New Orleans (Mets).
C Iker Franco has a .195 average at Class AAA Richmond (Braves).

Nowak due back; Spring to Columbus

First baseman Chris Nowak will come off the disabled list Saturday after missing five weeks with a separated shoulder.

Catcher Matt Spring was demoted after Friday's game to Class A Columbus to make roster space for Nowak. Spring, who joined the Biscuits in late May when catcher Josh Arhart started an extended stay on the disabled list, hit .165 in 29 games.

Another Rays notes goodie

The Rays may playfully call it useless in their pregame notes, but I say bravo.

"FROM THE USELESS INFO. DEPT. -- If Andy Sonnanstine faces Jarrod Saltalamacchia tonight, it will match the most letters (25) of last names from any batter-pitcher combination in the majors this season. ... Saltalamacchia has also faced Chad Billingsley and Mark Hendrickson."

On the serious side, pitcher Casey Fossum was granted his unconditional release today after being designated for assignment Tuesday night.

Me: Thayer all-time SL saves leader

Based on additional research, I'm prepared to declare Dale Thayer the all-time Southern League saves leader. Congratulations to Thayer. Let's all applaud at once.

I rolled through The Baseball Cube's statistics. Though I thought they included 1978, they don't go past 1979.

However, based on those numbers and the fact that the save wasn't as popular in the 1970's as it is now, and until the Southern League refutes my proclamation, I'll say Thayer's the man. He took over the top spot with his fourth save this year, which was April 21 against Huntsville.

75 -- Dale Thayer (27 in 2005 and 2006 with Mobile, 21 with the Biscuits this year)

57 -- Greg Johnson (19 in 1990 and 25 in 1991 with Orlando, 13 with Nashville in 1993)
55 -- Billy Sylvester (Greenville from 2001-03)

49 -- Joe Valentine (36 in 2002 with Birmingham, 13 in 2006 with Huntsville)
44 -- Bob Long (12 in 1983 with Chattanooga, 16 in 1986 with Greenville, 16 in 1987 with Charlotte)
43 -- Don Strange (1 in 1991 and 18 in 1992 and 1993 with Greenville, 6 in 1994 with Memphis)

40 -- Matt Ryan (26 in 1995 and 14 in 1997 with Carolina)
40 -- Adam Butler (17 in 1996, 22 in 1997 and 1 in 1999 with Greenville)
40 -- Joe Klink (11 in 1986 with Orlando, 3 in 1988 and 26 in 1989 with Huntsville)


NOTE: Before 1979, the league's single-season record for saves was 22. Montgomery Rebel Jack Whillock won the title in 1970 with 12 and again in 1971 with 15.

McGee's debut with Biscuits

Jake McGee is off to a not-so-great start.

first inning: 3 runs, 2 hits, 4 walks, 43 pitches, 18 strikes, 1 Bronx cheer for throwing a strike, 1 strikeout
bottom of first: Biscuits tie it
inning took a mere 36 minutes, three shy of Wednesday's eight-run first inning, but the 75 total pitches was one more than Wednesday's Wade Davis-James Avery "masterpiece"

second inning: 1 run, 3 hits, 1 walk, 32 more pitches, 23 strikes, 3 strikeouts
it's taken 54 minutes to get nine outs ... yikes

third inning: greetings, Tony Peguero


hmm ...
Davis on Wednesday
2 1/3 innings, 7 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, 75 pitches, 40 strikes

McGee on Thursday
2 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs, 6 walks, 4 strikeouts, 75 pitches, 41 strikes


Intriguing run in the third, from XM's 80's Channel:
Jody Watley's "Looking for a New Love" (one youthful employee inquired if it was Madonna)
Glass Tiger's "Someday"
Phil Collins' "One More Night"
(Hey, the game's 90 minutes old and we're still in the third. Cut me some slack.)

Researching Thayer

Dale Thayer asked me about this a few times before his promotion and I, of course, waited until after he left to do the research.

Thayer, the Southern League saves champion the last two years, wondered if he was the all-time league saves leader. The Southern League doesn't have a listing for such Crash Davis-like career numbers, so I had to look for myself.

I'm not finished yet, but here's the start.

We do have access to every year's statistical report via Minor League Baseball back through 1994. I went through each season and compiled every pitcher who had at least 10 saves. Then, for those with at least 40 saves, I pulled up their career statistics to make sure they didn't sneak in a small number some other year.

75 -- Dale Thayer (27 in 2005 and 2006 with Mobile, 21 with the Biscuits)
55 -- Billy Sylvester (Greenville from 2001-03)
49 -- Joe Valentine (36 in 2002 with Birmingham, 13 in 2006 with Huntsville)

The Baseball Cube has minor-league stats that go back to 1978 -- and the Jacksonville Suns have their own stats reaching to 1970. The save became an official stat in the majors in 1970.

Since the highest number of saves in the Southern League before 1978 was 22 and I feel confident that nobody totaled just less than the league high for multiple seasons, I'll be comfortable declaring an all-time saves leader once I get to 1978.


Today's lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, dh
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Gabriel Martinez, 3b
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Erold Andrus, rf
Patrick Breen, lf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Jake McGee, lhp -- Class AA debut

LOOKOUTS
Adam Rosales, lf
Luis Bolivar, ss
Enrique Cruz, 3b
Mike Griffin, dh
Drew Anderson, 2b
Caonabo Cosme, 1b
Tyrell Godwin, rf
Marland Williams, cf
Craig Tatum, c
Carlos Fisher, rhp

UPDATE: Tim Corcoran successfully negotiated his beard-shaving technique. He said it took him 20 minutes. He did keep a mustache until he got to the clubhouse, but "it looked so bad. I let everybody see it and went in to cut it off."

Biscuits tie league record

Montgomery just tied a Southern League record with its fourth sacrifice fly of Wednesday's game.

It's just the FOURTH inning.

A team has hit four sacrifice flies in a game 12 previous times with the most recent coming July 19, 2001. Mobile accomplished the feat against the Birmingham Barons.

So far, Rhyne Hughes, Patrick Breen, John Jaso and Gabriel Martinez have done it tonight for the Biscuits. Jaso and Martinez went back-to-back in the fourth.

Big dogs to see Biscuits

There's major Tampa Bay brass on hand for the next few games.

Farm director Mitch Lukevics would be noteable enough, but he's not high enough on the pay scale to count as "major" brass. (I write that confident someone will pass it along.) There's also minor-league roving pitching instructor Dick Bosman and assistant trainer Chris Tomashoff.

The biggest fish is Andrew Friedman, whose official title is executive vice president of baseball operations. Friedman told me at spring training that he was going to make it to Riverwalk this year. With the Devil Rays on a three-city road trip, Friedman finally came to see his budding Class AA stars.

Corcoran has shaving date

Pitcher Tim Corcoran, who was with the Biscuits on a rehab assignment, was activated by the Devil Rays and demoted to Montgomery.

The move, though Corcoran never went anywhere, will have repercussions.

The right-hander has a beard that he said he's been growing for two months that now isn't long for the world. Tampa Bay minor leaguers aren't allowed to have facial hair.

"I like it. If I could, I'd keep it and let it grow, but I'll probably have to shave it off tonight" Corcoran said. "I'll have to reveal a younger side of me."

Thayer up to Durham

Biscuits stopper Dale Thayer's shot at a third straight Southern League saves title has taken a mighty blow.

Thayer has been promoted to Class AAA Durham. The right-hander had 21 saves -- two ahead of second-place Jon Meloan of Jacksonville -- along with a 9-0 record and a 2.26 ERA.

The Biscuits start a five-game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts today and have a rearranged starting rotation. It's Wade Davis tonight and Jake McGee, making his Class AA debut, on Thursday. Montgomery plans to follow with Chris Mason, James Houser (moved back two days) and Jon Barratt, with recently demoted Tony Peguero in the bullpen.

The team also had to cough up some rent last week and forked over $233,838.63 to the city.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Fernando Perez, cf
Brooks Badeaux, dh
Reid Brignac, ss
John Jaso, c
Gabriel Martinez, 3b
Rhyne Hughes, 1b -- making his Montgomery debut
Erold Andrus, rf
Patrick Breen, lf
Josh Asanovich, 2b
Wade Davis, rhp

LOOKOUTS
Adam Rosales, 1b
Drew Anderson, 2b
Tyrell Godwin, cf
Enrique Cruz, 3b
Daniel Dorn, dh
Caonabo Cosme, ss
Shaun Cumberland, rf -- returns to Riverwalk
Mike Griffin, lf
Crait Tatum, c
James Avery, rhp

Aaron staring up at Bonds

How weird am I for wondering if this is odd?

Barry Bonds ties the home run record on the road (at San Diego) and breaks it at home.
Pete Rose ties the hits record on the road (at Chicago) and breaks it at home.
Hank Aaron ties the home run record on the road (at Cincinnati) and breaks it at home.

What other major career records have been set in the last 25 years? I'm sure I'm forgetting a few since my mind is still wrapped around The Simpsons movie (thumbs-up, by the way), but I can't think of any more, and me thinks it's weird that they all went down like that.

Don't say Cal Ripken's consecutive games played. The league could schedule that one any way it pleased. Just put 2,130 at the start of a long homestand, forget about rainouts spoiling it and prepare the party/crab cakes.

Stating Delmon's case for rookie award

St. Petersburg Times columnist John Romano says Rays outfielder Delmon Young should be an AL Rookie of the Year candidate, despite Young's reluctance to be interviewed.

McGee joins Biscuits, to start Thursday

Heralded pitcher Jake McGee has been promoted to the Biscuits and will start Thursday at Riverwalk Stadium against Chattanooga.

McGee threw seven shutout innings in each of his last two starts with Class A Vero Beach and was 5-4 with a 2.93 ERA. The left-hander, who celebrated his 21st birthday Monday, leads the Florida State League with 145 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings.

To make roster room for McGee, Derek Feldkamp has been demoted to Vero.


Also, pitcher Tim Corcoran's major-league rehab has ended, but it's unknown what his next step is. Two months ago, his demotion to Durham had been announced when the Rays reversed course and put him on the disabled list with an elbow strain. He's eligible to come off the DL on Thursday.

Alabamian draws drug suspension

Doc Brooks, who played at Central High in Phenix City before going on to the University of Georgia, was suspended today by the independent South Coast League for violating the league's drug policy.

Brooks, an outfielder, and second baseman Joey Hooft of the South Georgia Peanuts were suspended for 10 games. The South Coast League, which says it's the only independent league with a written drug policy, suspended two other players last week.

Thayer wins league award

Biscuits stopper Dale Thayer won the Southern League's weekly pitching award today. Thayer was 1-0 with three saves last week.

Thayer is 9-0 this year with a league-high 21 saves. He's in position for an unprecedented third straight Southern League saves title.

Irish star takes aim at Biscuits

Jeff Samardzija, who was an All-American football receiver at Notre Dame, will pitch against the Biscuits on Monday, the Smokies announced Saturday.

Samardzija will be making his Class AA debut. He's a prized pitching prospect who set loads of football records at Notre Dame before the Chicago Cubs convinced him to concentrate solely on baseball.

Samardzija is projected to start next season back with Tennessee. Maybe he'll still be there when the Smokies come to Riverwalk in mid-May so that all local football fans can pay homage to college football's greatest program.

If you have any other questions about Samardzija, let me direct you here.

Longoria, Mason have top league skills

The Biscuits were well represented in this year's Baseball America tools survey (subscription required), winning two Southern League categories, having two players put atop their positions and seeing four alumni drawing American League mention.

Evan Longoria was the Southern League's top power hitter, according to the survey, which was completed before Longoria's promotion to Durham, while Chris Mason has the league's best control.

Reid Brignac was tagged as the minors' best shortstop prospect, while Longoria was the No. 1 third base prospect.

Former Biscuits Delmon Young, Scott Kazmir, Jamie Shields and Joey Gathright are ranked in various American League categories. Former Montgomery Rebel Jim Leyland was picked the AL's best manager.

System check

CLASS AAA, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(61-52, second place, 1.5 GB)
3B Evan Longoria was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored Friday after going 0-for-3 with an RBI in his debut Thursday.
OF Jeremy Owens, named the league’s hitter of the week Monday, has a .264 average. He was 18-of-34 in a 10-game hit streak that ended Monday.
1B Joel Guzman has two home runs and seven RBIs in his last two games.
RHP Jeff Niemann, who left Monday’s start after five pitches with shoulder tightness, will miss his next two starts.
LHP J.P. Howell threw seven shutout innings for a second straight start Tuesday, striking out a season-high 12.
RHP Chad Orvella allowed four runs in 1.1 innings to register his third blown save and give Howell his second straight no-decision.
2B Brent Butler was 3-for-3 with two runs scored Friday, pushing his season average to .273.

HIGH-CLASS A, VERO BEACH DEVIL RAYS
Florida State League Eastern
(10-27, sixth place, 11.5 GB)
LHP Jake McGee threw seven shutout innings Friday, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out 10. It was his second straight start with seven shutout innings. McGee is 5-4 with a 2.93 ERA and a league-leading 145 strikeouts in 116.2 innings.
LHP Mike Wlodarczyk pitched a six-inning shutout in his last start July 28. He allowed two hits. Wlodarczyk has won three straight starts and is 7-4 with a 3.13 ERA.
The Rays didn’t manage a hit in the last eight innings of Friday’s 3-2, 15-inning loss at Brevard County.

LOW-CLASS A, COLUMBUS CATFISH
South Atlantic League Southern
(24-16, third place, 2.5 GB)
LF Ryan Royster hit a three-run home run in the 12th inning Friday to give the Catfish a 6-3 win over Lexington. It was his 17th home run. He’s hitting .315 with 69 RBIs.
CF Desmond Jennings has been caught on his last two steal attempts and is 45-of-60 this year. He’s hitting .318 with 75 runs scored.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson allowed two runs over five innings to win his third straight start Monday. He’s 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA this year.
RHP Ryan Reid has allowed one run in his last 12 innings.
RHP Wade Townsend threw six shutout innings in a win Thursday.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara
(18-25, fourth place, 11 GB)
OF Maiko Loyola has a .336 average, 16 extra-base hits and 26 RBIs. He’s 14-of-16 on steals.
CF Emeel Salem hasn’t played since July 26 but remains on the active roster. He’s hitting .308 with 23 steals and 25 runs scored.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East
(20-20, third place, 8 GB)
LF K.D. Kang has 14 hits in his last eight games with seven RBIs and four runs scored. He’s hitting .287.
RHP Nick Barnese gave up one hit over five innings to win Thursday. He allowed two runs, both unearned, walked none and struck out seven. Barnese has a 1.56 ERA in 17.1 innings.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays
CF Joey Gathright returned to the Kansas City Royals this week and was 1-for-4 Wednesday. He had a .341 average and 44 runs scored in 60 games at Class AAA Omaha. Gathright is hitting .312 with Kansas City this year.
RHP Ruddy Lugo is 3-0 with an 0.47 ERA and is 9-for-10 in save opportunities at Class AAA Sacramento (A’s). He’s allowed five hits in 19 innings.
3B Dan DeMent was 0-for-4 Friday to snap a 10-game hit streak with Class AA Harrisburg (Nationals) in which he was 18-for-44 with 12 runs scored, three home runs and seven RBIs. He has a .274 average.
OF Shaun Cumberland was 2-for-4 with two doubles Friday for Class AA Chattanooga (Reds).
RHP Jean Machi, since a five-run, two-inning outing July 17, has allowed one earned run in 10.1 innings at Class AA New Hampshire (Blue Jays). He’s 2-2 with two saves and a 3.31 ERA.
RHP Marcos Carvajal has given up 10 earned runs in his last three starts, covering 14.1 innings, for Class AA Binghamton (Mets).
1B Jorge Cantu is hitting .344 after nine games at Class AAA Louisville (Reds).
RHP Jose Rodriguez has a 4.58 ERA in 40 relief appearances at Class AAA Round Rock (Astros).
UTIL Johnny Raburn has a .200 average with Class AA Carolina (Marlins).
RHP Travis Minix is 3-2 with seven saves, 10 walks and 36 strikeouts in 41 innings with the Macoto Cobras in Taiwan.

League announces '08 schedule

The Montgomery Biscuits will start and finish at home in 2008, according to the Southern League schedule released today.

Montgomery and Mobile are splitting two series, apparently so the NCAA Division II baseball tournament can be at Riverwalk. The split series will cost the Biscuits one of the usually very profitable Saturday nights. The Division II tournament runs May 24-31.

The Biscuits won't host the Mississippi Braves until the second half of the season -- and then they'll be here for 10 games within a 2 1/2-week period.

Only one trip to Jacksonville and that's in mid-August and one trip to Mississippi and that's in May, but three full series in Birmingham. Also three trips to Mobile because of those split series.

Each North Division team comes to Riverwalk once, except for the Tennessee Smokies, who will make two trips. The Biscuits will go to Tennessee and West Tenn twice, though one trip to West Tenn is for a four-game series.

Of course, the schedule is subject to change.

APRIL
3-7 Chattanooga
8 off
9-13 at Carolina
14-18 at Tennessee
19-23 Jacksonville
24-28 at Birmingham
29 off
30 Huntsville

MAY
1-4 Huntsville
5-9 Birmingham
10-14 at Mississippi
15-19 Tennessee -- AHSAA baseball finals are May 13-17
20 off
21-22 Mobile (two-game series)
23-25 at Mobile (three-game series) -- NCAA Division II starts May 24
26-30 at Chattanooga
31 Carolina -- NCAA Division II championship is May 31

JUNE
1-4 Carolina
5-9 at Birmingham
10 off
11-13 Mobile (three-game series)
14-15 at Mobile (two-game series)
16 off -- end of first half
17-22 Mississippi (six-game series)
23 off
24-29 at Mobile (six-game series)
30 Mississippi

JULY
1-3 Mississippi (finishing four-game series)
4-7 at West Tenn (four-game series)
8-12 Mobile
13-15 All-Star break (All-Star Game July 14 at Carolina)
16-20 Birmingham
21 off
22-26 at Tennessee
27-31 at Huntsville

AUGUST
1-5 West Tenn
6-10 at Birmingham
11 off
12-16 at Jacksonville
17 off
18-22 Tennessee
23-27 at West Tenn
28-Sept. 1 Jacksonville

Longoria wears collar in Durham debut

Evan Longoria was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, a strikeout and a throwing error in his Class AAA debut Thursday. The Durham Bulls defeated the Columbus Clippers 9-8.

Joel Guzman and Wes Bankston, who will now share time at first base (or DH) with Longoria's arrival, both had three RBIs. Guzman tripled and homered. DH Bankston was 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles.

Barratt to disabled list

The Biscuits created roster space for Tony Peguero by putting pitcher Jon Barratt on the disabled list.

Not sure if what ails Barratt. The move has yet to be officially announced, but Montgomery's roster has been changed on various Web sites.

Barratt did have his best start of the season Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings to win at Birmingham.

B.J. has bragging rights on brother Justin

Former Biscuit B.J. Upton does have a little verbal ammo to tease brother Justin with ... four days' worth.

Justin was promoted from Class AA Mobile today, less than two months after debuting with the BayBears, to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was 0-for-1 today in his major-league debut.

Justin is 19 years, 342 days old as of today -- Aug. 2.

B.J. was 19 years, 338 days old when he made his major-league debut Aug. 2, 2004. He was 1-for-3 with a walk.

That's eerie.

Of course, Justin was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft and B.J. had to wait until second in 2002, so Justin has him there.

Dukes in trouble for violating court order

Elijah Dukes faces a misdemeanor charge for violating a restraining order that barred him from contact with his estranged wife and children. If convicted, Dukes faces a maximum penalty of a year in jail.

Tampa Tribune
St. Petersburg Times

Here's the latest sign that Dukes probably isn't in Tampa Bay's long-term plans. The Trib's Marc Lancaster pointed out that newly added reliever Dan Wheeler requested and received No. 35 -- Dukes' old number -- when he arrived.

Peguero assigned to Biscuits

Pitcher Tony Peguero, a part of last year's championship team, appears headed back to the Biscuits.

Peguero, who is 2-4 with a 7.35 ERA at Class AAA Durham, has been assigned to Montgomery, according to the Durham Herald-Sun.

The Biscuits, after adding infielders Aaron Sisk and Rhyne Hughes, don't have an open roster spot.

The story also mentions that Mike Prochaska has been assigned to Hudson Valley, which is only a paper move.

The Rays have some juggling to do with Durham's Jeff Niemann and Tampa Bay's Jason Hammel leaving games early with shoulder tightness. Niemann will miss a start, though Hammel expects to stay on schedule.

Longoria Eastbound and Down

Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin'
Ah we gonna do what they say can't be done
We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there
I'm eastbound, just watch old Bandit run

Evan Longoria is approaching Greenville, S.C., about now on his way from the Biscuits to Class AAA Durham. He said he was given today off as a travel day and should make his Durham debut on Thursday.