Beckham demoted from Hot Rods

Yes, misleading headline. Jeremy Beckham has been moved off Bowling Green's roster to make room for Joe Cruz, tonight's starting pitcher. Beckham officially goes on Hudson Valley's roster, but it's only a paper move.

Biscuits cap long stay at home

It's the final day of a 10-game homestand for the Biscuits, who head to Mississippi after playing Jacksonville tonight. Lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Fernando Cortez, lf
Rashad Eldridge, dh
J.T. Hall, rf
Jason Bowers, 3b
Matt Spring, c
Drew Anderson, 2b
Jason Cromer, lhp

SUNS
Scott Cousins, cf
Tim Torres, lf
Matt Craig, 3b
Lee Mitchell, dh
Kevin Randel, 2b
Andy Jenkins, 1b
Ryan Klosterman, ss
Lorenzo Scott, rf
Brad Davis, c
Christhian Martinez, rhp

Stone Crabs to get in mascot race

Just after the Bowling Green Hot Rods foisted Axle on us, the Charlotte Stone Crabs are getting in the mascot act.

The Crabs will birth their mascot Friday and will allow fans to recommend a name. The Crabs will also wear pink jerseys, to be auctioned to benefit breast cancer awareness.

That's Axle on the right, from bghotrods.com.

Top Arizona prospect headed to BayBears

Montgomery barely missed seeing Arizona’s top prospect. Pitcher Jarrod Parker has been promoted to the Mobile BayBears and will make his Double-A debut Saturday.

The Biscuits, who lost a home series last week to the BayBears, will face Parker in two weeks in a series at Mobile. Parker, a first-round draft pick in 2007, was 1-0 with an 0.95 ERA in 19 innings at high-Class A Visalia.

The BayBears won't visit Montgomery again until August.

Too bright, too early, 10:30

Yawn again. Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Fernando Cortez, lf
Rashad Eldridge, rf -- another season debut in right
Cesar Suarez, dh
Jason Bowers, 3b
Ian Paxton, c
Drew Anderson, 2b
Ryan Morse, lhp

SUNS
Scott Cousins, rf
Ryan Klosterman, ss
Matt Craig, 3b
Lee Mitchell, 1b
Kevin Randel, 2b
Andy Jenkins, c
Bryan Petersen, cf
Tim Torres, lf
Chris Hatcher, dh
Aaron Thompson, lhp

Isringhausen allows run in final Biscuits appearance

Rehabbing major-league pitcher Jason Isringhausen said he felt "fine" after his final appearance with the Biscuits on Monday.

Isringhausen allowed a run on two hits and a walk and threw 29 pitches (15 for strikes). He stood to be the losing pitcher before Montgomery rallied in the eighth inning to take the lead.

In the ninth, the Biscuits notched their fourth blown save of the year and rallied for a 6-5 win over the Suns.

"I'm nine days into my rehab and I just have to go on," Isringhausen said. "I'm not worried about results right now. I'm just doing what it takes to get ready."

Isringhausen will move on to Triple-A Durham this week. His schedule calls for a two-inning appearance Thursday.

On Monday, he got a broken-bat groundout from the first hitter he faced before running into trouble. Bryan Peterson tripled to right -- he sneaked a 2-2 inside curveball just inside the first-base bag -- and scored on a Scott Cousins flyout. Lee Mitchell doubled to left and Kevin Randel walked before a flyout ended it.

Jennings in lineup in right field

It looks like another slow news day. You already know about Rhyne Hughes (if not, see the post below). You already know that Jason Isringhausen will make his final rehab appearance with the Biscuits (if not, see a few posts below that).

Tonight, it's Game 3 of the Suns vs. Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium. Desmond Jennings will play right field for the first time in his professional career and Jason Bowers is in at third. Lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, rf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Fernando Cortez, dh
Rashad Eldridge, cf
J.T. Hall, lf
Matt Spring, c
Jason Bowers, 3b
Drew Anderson, 2b
Heath Rollins, rhp

SUNS
Bryan Petersen, lf
Scott Cousins, cf
Lee Mitchell, 3b
Kevin Randel, dh
Andrew Jenkins, 1b
Lorenzo Scott, rf
Ryan Klosterman, ss
Chris De La Cruz, 2b
Brad Davis, c
Willie Glen, rhp

Hughes top SL hitter for week

Montgomery's Rhyne Hughes has won the Southern League's weekly award for hitters. He was 9-for-24 with four home runs, seven RBIs and five runs scored.

Huntsville's Chris Cody was the top pitcher after going 2-0 with one run allowed in 12 innings.

Price struggles, loses at Norfolk

David Price gave up four hits, two of which were home runs, and walked four in 3 1/3 innings today, taking the loss for Durham's 7-0 setback at Norfolk. The Bulls, imitating the Biscuits, totaled just three hits. Price (1-2) threw 39 of 75 pitches for strikes.

Sunday, cookout day

The Biscuits face the Suns this afternoon in the second game of a five-game series. Afterward, the Biscuit Booster Club is hosting a barbecue for the players -- it's open only to players, coaches and booster club members, and not the general public. Maybe it won't be too warm out there because it's a warm day in Montgomery.

Picture from suite level above the third-base gate.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Brandon Chaves, 2b
Rhyne Hughes, dh
Cesar Suarez, 3b
Fernando Cortez, 1b
Rashad Eldridge, lf
J.T. Hall, rf
Matt Spring, c
Jason Bowers, ss
Aneury Rodriguez, rhp

SUNS
Bryan Petersen, lf
Scott Cousins, rf
Matt Craig, dh
Lee Mitchell, 1b
Kevin Randel, 3b
Lorenzo Scott, cf
Ryan Klosterman, 2b
Chris De La Cruz, ss
Brad Davis, c
Sean West, lhp

Suns slide in to start series with Bis____s

The Jacksonville Suns are here for the first time this season to start a five-game series. It's Jeremy Hellickson for the Biscuits and right-hander Jarrett Santos for the Suns, which is a change from what was previously scheduled.

Lineups and a nice photo. Hangman, anyone?

BISCUITS
Jennings cf
Chaves 2b
Hughes 1b
Cortez 3b
Eldridge lf
Hall rf
Suarez dh
Paxton c
Bowers ss
Hellickson rhp

SUNS
Petersen lf
Cousins cf
Craig 1b
Mitchell 3b
Randel dh
Jenkins c
Scott rf
Klosterman ss
De La Cruz 2b
Santos rhp

Matulia to DL with elbow; Baker back on roster

Outfielder John Matulia has landed on the disabled list with the elbow problem that led to Friday's MRI. The Biscuits have activated relief pitcher Brian Baker.

Axle greases crowd for Hot Rods

I haven't seen pictures yet, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods have unveiled their mascot. It's Axle, "a baseball lovin' bear and hot rod enthusiast who is equally at home on the ball field or under the hood of a car."

Axle arrived at the new Bowling Green stadium in a 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck. He "declined to be directly interviewed for this story because his native tongue cannot be understood by people," according to a Hot Rods release.

Matulia goes for MRI on elbow

Biscuits outfielder John Matulia went for an MRI on his left elbow late this afternoon. The elbow "has been an ongoing thing," manager Billy Gardner said.

Matulia said it's hurt for a couple of weeks and he "didn't think it was too serious," but the pain caused him and the team to reconsider. Matulia left batting practice to have the MRI and was back well before Friday's first pitch.

Noodleman at Riverwalk; Hot Rods to show mascot; Bulls trumpet concert

The Bowling Green Hot Rods just announced that they'll introduce their mascot before tonight's game against West Virginia. (The San Francisco Crab, lower right, formerly of the Giants, has been out of work for a while.)

Earlier today, the Durham Bulls announced they'll have Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp for a concert July 28. Tickets cost $67.75 and go on sale May 9. The tour isn't coming to Montgomery, but it will hit the Southern League. The Tennessee Smokies host a concert July 29, the day after Durham.

That's more exciting than what's happened to the Biscuits this week. Montgomery, strummer of 13 hits in its last three games, ends a home series with the Mobile BayBears.

Myron Noodleman (upper right) will be in the house. Lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Fernando Cortez, dh
Rashad Eldridge, lf
J.T. Hall, rf
Cesar Suarez, 3b
Ian Paxton, c
Drew Anderson, 2b
Jason Cromer, lhp

BAYBEARS
Evan Frey, rf
Mark Hallberg, ss
Gerardo Parra, dh
Ricardo Sosa, 3b
Cyle Hankerd, lf
James Skelton, c
Chris Rahl, cf
Pete Clifford, 1b
Pedro Ciriaco, 2b
Cody Evans, rhp

Baker off roster; Cromer on

Reliever Brian Baker has been deactivated by the Biscuits to make room for Jason Cromer, who starts tonight's game with Mobile.

Thursday's minor-league Rays roundup

Norfolk 4, Bulls 3
Matt Joyce had all three RBIs, all with two outs, with a run-scoring single in the fourth and a two-run double in the sixth. Carlos Hernandez surrendered three runs in the first. Julio DePaula took the loss on an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth.

Mobile 6, Biscuits 1
Matt Spring and Rhyne Hughes doubled for the Biscuits, who totaled four hits and have 13 hits in their last three games. Mobile's Bryan Augenstein (3-0) allowed one run over seven innings and saw his ERA soar to 0.47.

Stone Crabs 2, Sarasota 1
David Newmann allowed four hits and four walks over six innings for his first professional victory. He gave up a first-inning run. Matt Gorgen threw two hitless innings for his third save.

Hot Rods 5, West Virginia 1
Frank De Los Santos threw five shutout innings and Henry Wrigley was 3-for-4 with two doubles. Wrigley is 7-for-12 with a home run and three doubles in the last three games. De Los Santos had five hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

Isringhausen tastes defeat early in rehab stay

Rehabbing major-league pitcher Jason Isringhausen notched the first loss of his stay with the Biscuits early this week.

Isringhausen had a reunion with a former minor-league teammate, Edgewood football/baseball coach Bobby Carr (at right). The two reignited their rivalry from the lower levels of the New York Mets' organization.

They played pool.

"We played a lot of pool together back then," said Isringhausen, who wasn't sure how to assess Carr's skill.

"He beat me a lot; I'll put it that way," Isringhausen said. "He still does. He beat me the other day."

Isringhausen didn't know that Carr lived in the area until someone in the Biscuits' front office asked him if he remembered Carr. Isringhausen soon had Carr's phone number.

"He was the reason I was 5-0 in Rookie ball," Carr said. "He'd start and throw 97-98 (mph), then I'd come in throwing 77-78 and the batters needed time to adjust."

While Isringhausen became a major-league All-Star, Carr turned to coaching. He's won football and baseball championships at Edgewood. The baseball team starts chasing another championship Friday when it hosts a first-round playoff series. Carr is 73-21 in eight years as Edgewood's football coach after going 13-0 last fall and winning a state title.

"I didn't know he was a stud coach around here," Isringhausen said. "I saw his football ring and (asked), 'You get that for high school?'"

Biscuits staff to receive rings Friday

Biscuits coaches are scheduled to receive their American League championship rings from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Tonight, Jason Isringhausen will throw one inning in his second outing of his rehab. Your lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Rashad Eldridge, lf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Fernando Cortez, dh
Cesar Suarez, 3b
J.T. Hall, rf
Jason Bowers, ss
Matt Spring, c
Drew Anderson, 2b
Ryan Morse, lhp

BAYBEARS
Chris Rahl, cf
Mark Hallberg, ss
Gerardo Parra, rf
Ricardo Sosa, dh
Bryan Byrne, 1b
Cyle Hankerd, lf
Yunesky Sanchez, 3b
Orlando Mercado, c
Pedro Ciriaco, 2b
Bryan Augenstein, rhp

Wednesday's minor-league Rays roundup

Bulls 6, Gwinnett 2
Chris Richard homered twice and drove in five runs. He hit a three-run shot in the first and a two-run homer in the second to give the Bulls a 6-0 lead. Wade Davis gave up three hits and two runs in five innings.

Mobile 12, Biscuits 2
Desmond Jennings and Rhyne Hughes homered for two of the Biscuits' five hits. Mobile catcher Orlando Mercado, son of the major-leaguer, tied a career high with four RBIs and hit his first triple since 2004.

Stone Crabs 7, Sarasota 4
Shawn O'Malley was 4-for-5 with a double, triple and three runs scored. Reid Fronk doubled in O'Malley in the sixth to put the Stone Crabs ahead to stay. In the eighth, O'Malley tripled, Matt Fields tripled and Greg Sexton singled.

Hot Rods 11, West Virginia 4
Shane Dyer, Tyree Hayes and Jamie Bagley retired the last 20 Power hitters and Bowling Green snapped a four-game losing streak. Tony Scelfo knocked in three runs, Henry Wrigley homered and Jake Jefferies had two RBIs.

Ray of night: O'Malley

Isringhausen next pitches Thursday

Rehabbing major-leaguer Jason Isringhausen is scheduled to throw an inning for the Biscuits in Thursday's game and another inning Friday. The right-hander will throw again Monday or Tuesday, "depending on how he feels," Biscuits manager Billy Gardner said.

Bowers back on active roster; Perez back blogging

Shortstop Jason Bowers has been activated from the disabled list and is in the lineup tonight for the third game of Montgomery's series with Mobile.

And Fernando Perez is back blogging, this time for the New York Times, following up on his blog from two years ago while he was with the Biscuits.

With that, tonight's lineups ...
BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Brandon Chaves, 2b
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Fernando Cortez, 3b
Rashad Eldridge, lf
J.T. Hall, dh
Matt Spring, c
John Matulia, rf
Jason Bowers, ss
Heath Rollins, rhp

BAYBEARS
Evan Frey, lf
Mark Hallberg, 2b
Gerardo Parra, rf
Ricardo Sosa, 3b
Bryan Byrne, dh
Chris Rahl, cf
Yunesky Sanchez, 1b
Orlando Mercado, c
Pedro Ciriaco, ss
Barry Enright, rhp

Tuesday's minor-league Rays roundup

Bulls 7, Gwinnett 3
Jon Weber knocked in four runs and David Price finally picked up his first win of the season. Price went five innings, allowing just a home run and an infield single. He had one walk, one hit batsman and five strikeouts.

Mobile 4, Biscuits 0
Aneury Rodriguez, with a 15.88 ERA in his first two starts, had a shutout until giving up a two-out home run in the fifth. The Biscuits chopped out four hits.

Sarasota 7, Stone Crabs 5
Rayner Oliveros, freshly demoted from the Biscuits, gave up one hit in 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief. Starter Alex Cobb surrendered six runs in 3 1/3. Greg Sexton had two RBIs. Sarasota's Yonder Alonso, Cincinnati's top prospect, was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs.

West Virginia 9, Hot Rods 2
Matt Moore issued leadoff walks in the first and fourth innings, leading to three runs and a loss. He struck out seven in 3 2/3 innings. The Power tagged Tommy Rafferty with five runs in the final two innings. Justin Reynolds homered.

Ray of night: Weber

Cannon released by Biscuits

First baseman Chip Cannon was released by the Biscuits after today's 4-0 loss to Mobile. Cannon hit .103 with 21 strikeouts in eight games. He had three hits, all home runs, in 29 at-bats. Cannon signed with Tampa Bay late in spring training.

Youth league to pay Dukes' fine

Sure, Elijah Dukes hasn't helped himself over the years, but he has always enjoyed being around children (all jokes aside).

From the Washington Post ...
Last weekend, Dukes appeared at the Opening Day for a youth league in D.C. Dukes stayed through the entire parade and the festivities. He spoke to the players, etc. He quickly bolted for that night's game.

He was late to the Nationals' clubhouse by five minutes. The Nats have a zero-tolerance policy with Dukes and fined him $500. The Great Falls Little League heard of the fine and has raised money to pay it (free registration required). The league has the goal of $501, with the extra dollar for any "administrative expenses."

League president Jim Mraz: "It's not a question of whether this guy can afford the 500 bucks. We're just trying to send a message to our kids: He was here for us. Now we've got to be there for him."

Bright and early, 10:30

Yawn. Lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, dh
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Fernando Cortez, 2b
Rashad Eldridge, cf
J.T. Hall, lf
Cesar Suarez, 3b
Ian Paxton, c -- making Double-A debut
John Matulia, rf
Aneury Rodriguez, rhp

BAYBEARS
Evan Frey, cf
James Skelton, c
Gerardo Parra, rf
Cyle Hankerd, lf
Bryan Byrne, 1b
Yunesky Sanchez, 3b
Chris Rahl, dh
Mark Hallberg, 2b
Pedro Ciriaco, ss
Hector Ambriz, rhp

Monday's minor-league Rays roundup

Gwinnett 5, Durham 2
The Braves hit Mitch Talbot for seven hits and four runs in the second inning alone. Talbot totaled eight hits and five runs in five innings.

Biscuits 5, Mobile 4
Desmond Jennings and Brandon Chaves scored in the eighth to give Montgomery the lead. Jennings came within a double of the cycle and Rhyne Hughes was a triple shy. Jennings finished with two RBIs and two runs scored. Jeremy Hellickson struck out seven of the first nine Mobile hitters and retired 13 straight. Jason Isringhausen pitched the seventh in his first rehab appearance. He walked one, struck out two, threw 10 of his 21 pitches for strikes and topped out at 91 mph.

Kannapolis 3-2, Bowling Green 1-0
Tim Beckham had three of the Hot Rods' nine hits in the doubleheader. For Bowling Green in the opener, Tony Scelfo singled and scored on a Jake Jefferies single in the sixth.

Stone Crabs off.

Ray of night: Jennings

Cortez finally escapes ATL, lands in MGM

Fernando Cortez's return to Montgomery hit a snag in Atlanta today. The infielder missed two connecting flights before arriving in the clubhouse about 5:20 p.m.

"I've been flying for eight years and I've never missed a flight," Cortez said. "Today, I missed two and both were not my fault. Both were miscommunications by the airline."

Cromer moving down to Biscuits

Jason Cromer, despite throwing five shutout innings in each of two starts at Triple-A Durham, is being demoted to Montgomery. He's scheduled to start Friday.

Brazell signs with independent Saints

Montgomery native and former major-leaguer Craig Brazell has signed with the independent St. Paul Saints. Brazell led the entire minor leagues in home runs two years ago, played in Japan last season and was released this spring training by the Baltimore Orioles.

Isringhausen slated to pitch today

Major-leaguer Jason Isringhausen is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance for the Biscuits tonight against the BayBears.

He'll be the first out of the bullpen tonight. His next scheduled appearance is Thursday.

Tonight's game is being Webcast by WSFA, but it's a beautiful day so don't use that as an excuse not to come out to the park. Your lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
J.T. Hall, rf
Rashad Eldridge, lf
Chip Cannon, dh
Cesar Suarez, 3b
Matt Spring, c
Drew Anderson, 2b
Jeremy Hellickson, rhp

BAYBEARS
Evan Frey, cf
James Skelton, c
Gerardo Parra, rf
Ricardo Sosa, 3b
Bryan Byrne, 1b
Cyle Hankerd, lf
Mark Hallberg, 2b
Pete Clifford, dh
Pedro Ciriaco, ss
Matt Torra, rhp

8:45 update: With Hellickson running into trouble in the sixth, the Biscuits used other relievers rather than Isringhausen, who will start an inning.

BayBears sport season's first league award winners

The Mobile BayBears, who start a five-game series tonight at Riverwalk Stadium, won both of the Southern League's weekly awards today. The awards are the first of the season.

Thirs baseman Ricardo Sosa hit .447 with 12 RBIs and nine runs scored in Mobile's first 10 games. Right-hander Bryan Augenstein totaled 12 shutout innings and two wins in his first two Double-A starts. He has 13 strikeouts and just one walk.

Reliever in, starter out; who enters rotation?

The Biscuits have made two more moves, but a third may be coming.

Relief pitcher Ryan Reid arrives today, on schedule after staying at extended spring because of elbow pain.

Starter Rayner Oliveros, who pitched well and won Saturday after an awful season debut last Monday, has been demoted to high-Class Charlotte.

Who becomes Montgomery's fifth starter?

James Houser should be ready to leave extended spring (slight oblique), but he's supposed to go to Durham. Jason Cromer is the only Bulls starter not on the 40-man or with major-league experience, but he has 10 shutout innings in two starts.

Sunday's minor-league Rays roundup

Durham 5, Charlotte Knights 4 (12)
Jon Weber's home run in the 12th won it for the Bulls. Durham homered four times in the final four innings: Ray Sadler (ninth), Reid Brignac (10th) and Matt Joyce (11th). Starting pitcher Jason Cromer put together a second straight nice start with five shutout innings.

Charlotte Stone Crabs 6, Palm Beach 3
Darin Downs pitched a six-hit complete game, the first of his career, with no walks and seven strikeouts. All three runs came in the first inning on a three-run Curt Smith homer. Downs faced the minimum from the fourth inning on. He erased a fourth-inning single with a pickoff and an eighth-inning single with a double play. The 24-year-old left-hander is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

Biscuits off. Hot Rods rained out.

Ray of day: Downs

2004 Biscuits most valuable player returning to team

Infielder Fernando Cortez, the most valuable player of the 2004 inaugural Biscuits, will be back in a Biscuits uniform Monday.

Cortez, the former major-leaguer, has re-signed with Tampa Bay and the Rays are sending him to Montgomery. He'll be activated in time for Monday's home game with Mobile.

Cortez reached the major leagues with Tampa Bay in 2005 and with the Kansas City Royals (at right) in 2007. He hit .185 in 16 games combined. The 27-year-old spent last season at Triple-A Charlotte and had a .262 average in 104 games.

The move is one of five that the Biscuits are making.

2. Catcher Craig Albernaz is being promoted to Triple-A Durham, which recently had Michel Hernandez promoted to the majors after Shawn Riggans was injured. (To wait six days since Riggans went on the DL for this suggests either Riggans is injured more severely than first thought, or Durham's John Jaso or Alex Jamieson might have developed a nagging ache.)

3. Catcher Ian Paxton will be activated to take Albernaz's roster spot. Paxton broke spring camp with the Biscuits but has been on the team's inactive list.

4. Shortstop Matt Hall, drafted out of Auburn last year, will move back down to high-Class A Port Charlotte. Hall came up last week when Biscuits shortstop Jason Bowers went on the disabled list with a quadricep injury.

5. Pitcher Jason Isringhausen will begin a major-league rehabilitation assignment Monday. Isringhausen, who suffered a career-threatening elbow injury last year with the Cardinals, will eventually move on to Durham.

Isringhausen being on a major-league rehab is important because those are limited to just 30 days in length. In this case, those 30 days will be split between Montgomery and Durham. He also won't count against the Southern League roster limit.

Hot Rods replace Cruz with Reynolds

The Bowling Green Hot Rods made their first roster move today, activating outfielder Justin Reynolds and deactivating pitcher Joe Cruz. Officially, Cruz moves to short-season Hudson Valley's roster, but that's only a paper move.

My review of Southern League stadiums

Since Baseball America ranked the top three stadiums in the Southern League in its latest issue, I figured I'd give my opinion. For me, though, there are two ways to rank them: as a sports writer and as a fan. Each has varied criteria.

Sure, some are the same. We all want a nice setting, convenient parking and good sightlines. As a fan, you also want good concessions, a wide concourse and comfortable seats. As a writer, I need space to work and easy access to the clubhouses.

With that, I'll rank them both ways, as I see 'em. (I'm leaving out Chattanooga and Tennessee for a very specific reason. I've never been to a game at either stadium.)

WRITER
1. Birmingham -- easy choice, even before the renovations two (?) years ago
2. Mississippi -- a little more room than Jacksonville, longer walk to clubhouses, shorter to car
3. Jacksonville -- foul balls a constant threat
4. Montgomery -- can get cramped quickly; main parking distant
5. Carolina -- one clubhouse past LF pole, other past RF pole
6. Huntsville -- sizable press box, but not sizable desk space, and it's enclosed
7. Mobile -- smallest press area, only field access is through the stands
8. West Tenn -- the clubhouses are past the LF wall and the only way to get there from the press box is via the 1B dugout

FAN
1. Jacksonville -- best surroundings, though too many ads
2. Montgomery -- extend pads to top of LF, CF rails already
3. Mississippi -- retro look, modern feel with BassPro Shop a short walk away
4. Birmingham -- concourse not wide enough
5. Carolina -- two-tiered seating odd, high-angled upper deck
6. Mobile -- seating arrangement odder, leaves fans with major blind spots
7. West Tenn -- too few fans hurts atmosphere
8. Huntsville -- built in one offseason and looks like it

Thursday's minor-league Rays roundup

Gwinnett 3, Durham 0
David Price lost ~yet again~ (sarcasm) after the Bulls knocked out just three hits. Price gave up four hits and an unearned run in five innings.

Biscuits 5, Chattanooga 1
Heath Rollins surrendered one run on six hits in six innings, throwing 61 of his 88 pitches for strikes. Eduardo Morlan allowed one hit in two innings and Rhyne Hughes scored twice. Five of Montgomery's six hits were doubles. Chattanooga's Josh Lindblom tied a league record with four wild pitches in the fourth. Last year, Montgomery's Jeff Kamrath also tied the mark.

St. Lucie 8, Charlotte 7 (12)
Shawn O'Malley had three RBIs and Emeel Salem was 3-for-6 for the Stone Crabs. Paul Phillips, though allowing an inherited runner to score to blow a save, and Austin Hinkle each threw three shutout innings of relief.

Bowling Green 5, West Virginia 4
Tim Beckham singled home Jeremy Beckham in the eighth to put the Hot Rods ahead. Bowling Green rallied for three runs in the seventh. Jason Tweedy hit a two-run triple and scored on Mike McCormick's single. Tim Beckham finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Diego Echeverria threw three hitless innings and Josh Satow two hitless.

Ray of night: Tim Beckham

Wednesday's minor-league Rays roundup

Durham 5, Gwinnett 3 (13)
Adam Kennedy's two-run home run with none out in the 13th won it for the Bulls, who are 6-0 for the first time as a Triple-A franchise. Ray Sadler hit a three-run homer in the eighth to tie the game. Kennedy finished 3-for-5 and doubled before Sadler's homer in the eighth.

Chattanooga 10, Biscuits 2
Desmond Jennings stole three bases, including home in the second inning, tripled and scored twice. The Biscuits managed just one other hit, a Brandon Chaves single in the second. Aneury Rodriguez walked six and allowed four hits and four runs in 2 2/3 innings.

St. Lucie 5, Charlotte 2
Alex Cobb allowed two runs -- none earned -- over 5 2/3 innings. He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out four. Matt Fields doubled and scored in the seventh for the Stone Crabs. Greg Sexton doubled in Shawn O'Malley in the ninth.

Bowling Green 6, West Virginia 5
Matt Moore threw five shutout innings and Jake Jefferies knocked in three runs. Moore surrendered one hit, walked two and struck out six. Jefferies hit a bloop RBI single in the first and a two-run double in the second that made it 5-0. Reliever Neil Schenk gave up five runs, three earned, on seven hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Ray of night: Moore

Isringhausen coming to Biscuits

Longtime major-league pitcher and former All-Star Jason Isringhausen is headed to Montgomery.

Isringhausen, on the Rays' disabled list, has been working out in the team's extended spring program. He'll throw again this weekend before joining the Biscuits, the St. Petersburg Times reports. After that, he'll move on to Triple-A Durham.

Baseball America: Riverwalk tops in Southern League

Riverwalk Stadium is the No. 1 stadium in the Southern League, according to Baseball America.

The magazine lists its top three in each league in its minor-league preview issue. Jacksonville is second and Mobile third in the Southern League.

Memphis' AutoZone Park is the best in the minors, BA says. Riverwalk doesn't land in the overall Top 10.

(AutoZone Park and downtown Memphis pictured at right.)

Tuesday's minor-league Rays roundup

(A warning: You won't get this every night when the Biscuits are on the road.)

Durham 1, Gwinnett 0
Jason Cromer outdueled top prospect Tommy Hanson and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter. Cromer worked five innings with three hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Chad Orvella struck out four in two innings and Winston Abreu had a perfect two innings for the save. Durham scored in the third when Reid Brignac doubled in Jon Weber. Hanson allowed three hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Bulls are 5-0 for the first time since 2006.

Biscuits 9, Chattanooga 1
Rhyne Hughes homered twice and Jeremy Hellickson threw 5 2/3 shutout innings for the Biscuits. Hughes led off a four-run fourth with a homer and hit a three-run shot to make it 9-0 in the sixth. Hellickson has thrown 10 2/3 shutout innings in two starts.

Charlotte 4, St. Lucie 1
Matt Fields homered for a second straight night, hitting a two-run blast in the fourth for the Stone Crabs. Darin Downs, who allowed a first-inning run, worked five innings with five hits, no walks and eight strikeouts.

West Virginia 5, Bowling Green 3
Leadoff man Tony Scelfo was 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored and Henry Wrigley reached base three times and swiped a base for the Hot Rods. Tyree Hayes surrendered four runs on seven hits in two-plus innings for the loss.

Rays' minor-leaguer of the night: Cromer

The real thing

Here's what the AL championship rings handed out tonight to Rays players and staff look like.

(The Rays sent out pictures.)

Former AU player Hall joins Biscuits

Infielder Matt Hall, drafted last year out of Auburn, has been promoted to the Biscuits and will be in uniform for tonight's game at Chattanooga.

Hall was a 10th-round draft pick. He played one year at Auburn after transferring from Arizona State. The Biscuits needed an infielder after Jason Bowers went on the disabled list. It's likely a short-term move.

DL'd Riggans pulls Hernandez to majors

Catcher Shawn Riggans went on the 15-day disabled list tonight with shoulder tendinitis, forcing the Rays to promote Durham's Michel Hernandez to the majors. They had open space to add Hernandez to the 40-man roster.

Monday's Rays' minor-league roundup

Durham 3, Gwinnett 0
Carlos Hernandez and three relievers combined on a four-hitter to keep the Bulls unbeaten. Reid Brignac doubled and tripled with an RBI and a run scored.

West Tenn 6, Biscuits 5 (13)
Javier Brito's bases-loaded single brought in West Tenn's go-ahead run. The bullpen was a bright spot for the Biscuits. Chris Mason, Eduardo Morlan, Calvin Medlock and Neal Frontz each threw two shutout innings. (Notebook here. Same goes for the quoteless game story.)

Charlotte 5, Fort Myers 3
Matt Fields hit a three-run home run in the first inning and Nevin Ashley a solo shot in the second. Starter Jeremy Hall allowed one unearned run in five innings and Justin Garcia had two perfect innings of relief. Greg Sexton was 3-for-5.

Bowling Green 7, West Virginia 4
Tim Beckham had two RBIs and two runs scored, while Josh Satow had five strikeouts in two perfect innings of relief for the Hot Rods. Tony Scelfo doubled twice and Jake Jefferies knocked in two runs.

Bowers to DL; replacement TBA

The Biscuits are putting shortstop Jason Bowers on the disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, with his quad injury. Replacement to be announced.

Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych, former Rebel, dies

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, a former Montgomery Rebel who became nationally known for his on-mound antics with the Detroit Tigers, was found dead today.

He was found dead at his farm in Northborough, Mass., after an apparent accident. The former All-Star pitcher was 54.

A family friend found Fidrych this afternoon beneath a pickup truck that he appeared to be working on, the Worcester County (Mass.) district attorney told the Associated Press.

Fidrych was 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in seven games with the Montgomery Rebels in 1975, a year before winning the AL Rookie of the Year award.

Rays pick Niemann as top spring rookie

Former Biscuits pitcher Jeff Niemann won Tampa Bay's Al Lopez Award, which goes to the team's top rookie of spring training. Niemann won the fifth starter's job in the spring.

As Rays start blinging, Biscuits end series

The Biscuits end their first series of the season tonight against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, while their major-league affiliate starts a weeklong celebration -- the Rays are calling it "Championship Week" -- of last year's American League championship.

The Rays play their home opener tonight against the New York Yankees and will raise the AL pennant. On Tuesday, the players and staff get their rings, while fans receive replica rings. Fans get championship cowbells Wednesday and a replica championship trophy Saturday (against the White Sox). On Sunday, the first 10,000 kids get a replica AL championship pennant.

The Biscuits also gave away replica championship rings last year, but the Rays are understandably a wee bit bigger, as you can see.

Your lineups ...
BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, dh
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
J.T. Hall, lf
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Cesar Suarez, 3b
John Matulia, rf
Craig Albernaz, c
Drew Anderson, 2b
Rayner Oliveros, rhp

DIAMOND JAXX
Ezequiel Carrera, cf
Oswaldo Navarro, ss
Johan Limonta, 1b
Adam Moore, c
Greg Halman, rf
Matt Mangini, 3b
Javier Brito, dh
Brent Johnson, lf
Erick Monzon, 2b
Luis Pena, rhp

Sunday Rays' minor-league roundup

Durham 2, Norfolk 1
Ray Olmedo singled home John Jaso with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to complete Durham's three-game sweep. Wade Davis gave up two hits and one run in four innings.

West Tenn 8, Biscuits 1
J.T. Hall homered on the first pitch of the fifth for Montgomery's first of four hits. Relievers Mike Wlodarczyk (two innings) and Neal Frontz (one inning) each walked four.

Hickory 7, Bowling Green 2
Mike Sheridan hit his first career home run for the Hot Rods, while Jake Jefferies was 2-for-4.

The Stone Crabs had the day off.

Sunday, fun-day, empty-park-day?

There likely won't be a big crowd for this afternoon's game, the fourth of the five-game series between the Biscuits and D-Jaxx. Take your pick for the reason: Easter, an afternoon start, the Masters. Whichever your preference, your lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Rashad Eldridge, lf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
J.T. Hall, dh
Cesar Suarez, 3b
John Matulia, rf
Drew Anderson, 2b
Matt Spring, c
Brandon Chaves, ss
Ryan Morse, lhp

DIAMOND JAXX
Ezequiel Carrera, cf
Oswaldo Navarro, ss
Greg Halman, rf
Adam Moore, c
Javier Brito, dh
Yamid Haad, 1b
Brent Johnson, lf
Jeff Dominguez, 2b
Erick Monzon, 3b
Luis Munoz, rhp


Well, almost empty. The announced attendance of 1,742 is the second smallest in Biscuits home history, eclipsed only by the 1,591 for a playoff game Sept. 9, 2007.

Saturday: Rays' minor-league roundup

Durham 8, Norfolk 4
David Price allowed four hits and two runs in 3 2/3 innings in his season debut. He threw 50 of his 74 pitches for strikes. Ray Olmedo and Justin Ruggiano homered for the Bulls.

West Tenn 10-2, Biscuits 1-3
Heath Rollins threw five shutout innings in the second game. Calvin Medlock came on with two runners in scoring position and one out in the seventh (and final) inning. He struck out both hitters he faced. The first game, a continuation of Friday's rainout, featured three Biscuits hits in Saturday's 5 1/2 innings.

Fort Myers 11, Charlotte 6
B.J. Upton was 3-for-4 with an RBI, walk, run scored and two steals in his final rehab game. In his professional debut, David Newmann gave up eight runs on seven hits in three innings.

Hickory 5-4, Bowling Green 0-0
The Hot Rods, no-hit in the opener, manage four hits in the nightcap.

Phillips to join Stone Crabs

Pitcher Paul Phillips, with the Biscuits but not on the active roster, has been sent to high-Class A Port Charlotte. He's set to join the Stone Crabs on Monday.

Also, an ambulance came to Riverwalk for a second straight day to assist a West Tenn player. Marshall Hubbard was hit on the left side of his head with a foul ball in the seventh inning of tonight's regularly scheduled game. He never lost consciousness and was talking to others as he was taken by stretcher to an ambulance.

Hot Rods no-hit in their second game

The Bowling Green Hot Rods, playing their second game, were no-hit by the Hickory Crawdads in the first game of a doubleheader today. Martin Perez, Tyler Tufts and Fabio Castillo combined on it in a 5-0, seven-inning win. The Hot Rods managed three baserunners, all on walks in Perez's four innings. Bowling Green had four hits in a 4-0 loss in the nightcap.

Saturday's regularly scheduled game

Now that the Jaxx have polished off a 10-1 victory that started Friday, here are the lineups for the seven-inning game to follow.

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Rashad Eldridge, lf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
J.T. Hall, dh
Cesar Suarez, 3b
John Matulia, rf
Drew Anderson, 2b
Craig Albernaz, c
Brandon Chaves, ss
Heath Rollins, rhp

DIAMOND JAXX
Ezequiel Carrera, cf
Brent Johnson, lf
Johan Limonta, 1b
Greg Halman, rf
Marshall Hubbard, dh
Yamid Haad, c
Matt Mangini, 3b
Jeff Dominguez, 2b
Oswaldo Navarro, ss
Kyle Parker, rhp

Also, Biscuits shortstop Jason Bowers left the first game with a sore quadricep and, as you can see, isn't in the lineup for the second game. "He's had that all spring and it tightened up," manager Billy Gardner said.

Concert to give game a soundtrack

Just a warning for tonight: Expect extra sounds to boom over from the amphitheater. The Hall & Oates concert is tonight. Say it isn't so? But it is. The show starts at 7.

Triunfel possibly out for season with broken leg

Diamond Jaxx shortstop Carlos Triunfel could be finished for the season after breaking his left leg Friday.

Triunfel, who broke his left fibula, will fly to Seattle on Sunday so doctors there can examine him. If surgery is needed, he's finished for the season. If not, he'll miss two months.

"It's very unfortunate that this setback happened for Carlos," Jaxx manager Phil Plantier said. "He's at a time in his career when he was ready to take a lot of positive steps forward. Hopefully, he'll go to Seattle and doctors will get him going in a positive direction."

Triunfel was sliding into second to try to break up a double play Friday when he was injured. His left cleat caught in the ground, Plantier said, "and his body kept going toward the base. Something had to give."

Triunfel was one of the youngest players in the Southern League. The 19-year-old is one of the top prospects in the Mariners' organization and in his third professional season.

"Prior to this injury, I couldn't have been happier with his work ethic, his attitude and his commitment toward getting himself better," Plantier said. "He was doing everything right on and off the field and was showing a lot of maturity for a 19-year-old kid."

Erick Monzon will replace Triunfel on West Tenn's roster and will be activated for today's regularly scheduled game.

Friday: Rays' minor-league roundup

Fort Myers 7, Charlotte 1
Reid Fronk finished 2-for-3 for the Stone Crabs. Rehabbing major-leaguer B.J. Upton was 1-for-3 with a walk and two caught stealings. Starter Jesse Darcy allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings.

Everyone else? Rained out.

Friday rainout

Game stopped by rain with Jaxx up 7-1 in the middle of the fourth. Game will resume at 6:05 p.m. Saturday. They'll finish the nine-inning game and play a seven-inning game afterward.

Prattville's Anderson likely out with Mets

Prattville native Marlon Anderson appears to be near the end of his stay with the New York Mets. The Mets need roster space for pitcher Livan Hernandez and Anderson is the likely target, the New York Daily News reports. Hernandez is scheduled to start Saturday against the Marlins.

Friday lineups, after exiting Dreamland

Just made my first stop at the just-opened Dreamland across the street. It gets the seal of approval. Only six ribs in a half slab, but they were meaty. With that, the sky is mostly clear of clouds after the Biscuits feared rain today. Your lineups ...

BISCUITS
Desmond Jennings, cf
Rashad Eldridge, lf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Chip Cannon, dh
Cesar Suarez, 3b
Jason Bowers, ss
John Matulia, rf
Matt Spring, c
Brandon Chaves, 2b
Aneury Rodriguez, rhp -- debut in Tampa Bay organization

DIAMOND JAXX
Ezequiel Carrera, cf
Carlos Triunfel, ss
Johan Limonta, lf
Adam Moore, c
Marshall Hubbard, 1b
Greg Halman, rf
Matt Mangini, 3b
Javier Brito, dh
Jeff Dominguez, 2b
Ricky Orta, rhp

Rodriguez will be more limited than the other Montgomery starters. He threw just 60 pitches in his last spring appearance for the Rockies and will stay at the same amount tonight.

8:11: Shaky night for Rodriguez. He leaves with none out in the fourth, five runs in and another runner on the hook. Halman took him out to center for a three-run homer. He allowed six hits. His three walks and no strikeouts are not characteristic of his previous career numbers.

8:22: Triunfel, one of Seattle's top prospects, is leaving the game with a left leg injury. He slid into second on an inning-ending double play in the top of the fourth. We think Bowers came down on his leg. Also, they're pulling the tarp. Rain delay.

8:38: Well, look to the right.
8:46: Rain stops. Cleanup begins.
9: An ambulance is here for Triunfel. His left ankle is heavily taped. It was something with his slide.
10:05: Triunfel in "good condition" at Baptist South, according to Baptist Health marketing coordinator Melody Ragland.

Season's first suspension comes before season

Major League Baseball issued the season's first minor-league drug suspension Thursday before the season actually started. Cardinals pitcher Deryk Hooker will miss 50 games after testing positive for a "drug of abuse." Hooker ended last year at low-Class A.

Thursday: Rays' minor-league roundup

Durham 2, Norfolk 1
Mitch Talbot threw an efficient five shutout innings and five relievers finished off the win. Talbot allowed three hits, walked none and struck out four. He threw 41 pitches, 33 for strikes.

West Tenn 7, Biscuits 6
Johan Limonta hit a two-run single to cap a three-run ninth for the D-Jaxx. West Tenn scored three runs off Neal Frontz in the eighth and three off Eduardo Morlan in the ninth. Starter Jeremy Hellickson threw five shutout innings and Calvin Medlock, the first reliever, had five strikeouts and one homer in his two frames. John Matulia homered. (Some video here. Here's the game story and the notebook and the column and the photo gallery.)

Fort Myers 9, Charlotte 4
Matt Fields homered for the Stone Crabs in their inaugural game. Charlotte gave up five runs in the eighth off right-hander Craig James. Starter Alex Cobb went four innings with three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.

Bowling Green 8, Hickory 3
Tim Beckham hit the first home run and had three RBIs in the Hot Rods' inaugural game. Beckham hit a solo home run in the fourth for Bowling Green’s first run and a go-ahead, two-run single in the fifth. Catcher Mike McCormick also homered. Starter Matt Moore walked a career-high six and gave up two runs in three-plus innings.

Biscuits owner: AL trophy coming to town 'soon'

Biscuits owner Tom Dickson said Tampa Bay's American League championship trophy will make an appearance this season at Riverwalk Stadium. He just wouldn't say when.

"Soon," Dickson said in the second inning Thursday. "To be released."

Opening Day lineups

The bunting is out, the sky is mostly clear and the on-field logo, well, looks OK for the season-opening game between the Biscuits and Diamond Jaxx. Your lineups ...

BUTTER AND BLUE
Desmond Jennings, cf
Rashad Eldridge, lf
Rhyne Hughes, 1b
Chip Cannon, dh
Cesar Suarez, 3b
Jason Bowers, ss
John Matulia, rf
Matt Spring, c
Brandon Chaves, 2b
Jeremy Hellickson, rhp

DIAMOND JAXX
Ezequiel Carrera, cf
Carlos Triunfel, ss
Johan Limonta, lf
Adam Moore, c
Marshall Hubbard, 1b
Greg Halman, rf
Matt Mangini, 3b
Javier Brito, dh
Jeff Dominguez, 2b
Robert Rohrbaugh, lhp

Ceremonial first pitches by Mayor Todd Strange and city council president Charles Jinright. A helicopter will deliver mascot Big Mo with the baseballs to be used. There's also a flyover planned just before the real first pitch -- two Air Force C-130s from the 908th Airlift Wing out of Maxwell.

Biscuits 1st: Nice poke from Jennings, but an F-8 to deep center in his first Double-A at-bat.

Biscuits 6th: Matulia homers in his first Double-A game. Biscuits up 3-nil.

Jaxx 8th: Three runs on one hit. Ugly inning. Jaxx up 4-3.
Biscuits 8th: Josh Fields making his professional debut. Fields' first pitch was Nuke Laloosh-like. The catcher deflected the high pitch to the backstop.

Special section links

Here's the link to a full PDF of our special section in today's paper. If you're in or near Montgomery, this does not excuse you from imparting 75 cents into a machine to have your very own section.

If you did buy a paper, I understand the section is stuffed into the middle of the weekly Go! section and easily confused with some advertising supplements. (I won't look at the section for at least a week in fear I'll spot a mistake.)

If you'd like to peruse the mug shots of the Opening Day Biscuits, click here. For pictures of Tuesday's workout at Riverwalk, try this.

Our video department also shot footage of each player. They're producing it now, but doing 26 videos takes time. I'll post a link when available.

At right, Craig Albernaz blocks a ball Tuesday. (Advertiser photo by Lloyd Gallman)

AL championship trophy making Durham stop

The American League championship trophy, currently property of the Rays, will be on display this weekend at Triple-A Durham. Fans can find it in the main entryway at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Friday and Saturday.

Florida governor showing off again; where's Riley?

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will throw the ceremonial first pitch at Tampa Bay's home opener Monday. This is the third straight year Crist has shown off his arm. Still no word about Alabama Gov. Bob Riley's first-pitch plans?

At left, Crist displays cannon arm from two years ago. (St. Pete Times photo) At right, Riley perhaps showing how far he can throw a ball? (Advertiser photo of Riley actually at the Hyundai plant last August.) He's about to be 0-for-6 on Opening Day at Riverwalk.