Monday, August 31, 2009

Paul Phillips promoted to Durham

Biscuits reliever Paul Phillips became the latest pitcher promoted to Durham this week when he heard the news after today's doubleheader. He has seven saves and a 2.43 ERA in 29 appearances with Montgomery this year.

Phillips was released last year from the Toronto organization and finished the season with independent Pensacola. This year, he's done well enough that he's one of Tampa Bay's choices for the Arizona Fall League.

Monday: Mudcats 5, Biscuits 0 (Game 2)

Joe Krebs threw 3 1/3 no-hit innings and combined with two relievers on a one-hitter in Carolina’s 5-0 win over the Biscuits in the nightcap of Monday’s doubleheader. Matt Fields singled to lead off the fifth inning and record Montgomery’s hit.

Biscuits starter Alex Torres, making his debut in the Tampa Bay organization, allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in four innings.

Beckham an All-Star in SALLY League

Bowling Green shortstop Tim Beckham was named an end-of-season All-Star in the South Atlantic League. He's the only player from the Hot Rods.

Beckham is hitting .279 with 62 RBIs and 56 runs scored. He's made 40 errors.

Mejias, Castro on board for final week

Pitchers Jose Angel Mejias and Angel Castro have joined the Biscuits for the final week of the season and are scheduled to be activated Tuesday. Mejias was 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA in 46 1/3 innings at Charlotte. Castro pitched six innings in four appearances for the Crabs.

Game 2 lineups

BISCUITS
Eldridge, cf; Cortez, dh; Nowak, 3b; Lobaton, c; Cipriano, 2b; Fields, 1b; Strait, rf; Hall, lf; Bowers, ss; Torres, lhp
MUDCATS
Negron, 2b; Castro, 3b; Henry, lf; Alonso, 1b; Cozart, ss; Cumberland, cf; Chapman, rf; Parker, dh; Bour, c; Krebs, lhp

Monday, Game 1: Mudcats 1, Biscuits 0

Alexander Smit and Sean Watson combined on a three-hitter in Carolina’s 1-0 win over the Biscuits in the opening game of a doubleheader Monday. Smit (4-3) allowed two hits, walked four and struck out nine in six innings. Juan Castro singled home Jake Long in the third inning for the run against Brandon Mann (6-9).

Lobaton scheduled to start second game

Catcher Jose Lobaton is scheduled to return to the lineup for tonight's second game. He was hurt Saturday when a ball hit him on the wrist and wouldn't have played Sunday.

Powell assigned to Stone Crabs

Biscuits outfielder Pedro Powell has been moved to high-Class A Charlotte's roster.

Doubleheader today, so sit back and enjoy.

Game 1 lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Cipriano, 2b
Cody Strait, rf
Jason Perry, lf
Matt Spring, c
Brandon Chaves, ss
Brandon Mann, lhp

MUDCATS
Kris Negron, 2b
Jose Castro, 3b
Sean Henry, lf
Yonder Alonso, dh
Zack Cozart, ss
Shaun Cumberland, cf
Carson Kainer, rf
Logan Parker, 1b
Jake Long, c
Alexander Smit, lhp

Desmond Jennings wins Southern League MVP

Former Biscuits outfielder Desmond Jennings has won the Southern League's most valuable player award.

"It's great," Jennings said Monday afternoon. "I didn't really know (if I would win). I didn't even know they had a league MVP."

It's the third time in five years the Biscuits have had the MVP. Delmon Young won in 2005 and Evan Longoria won in 2007. Montgomery also had the Southern League MVP in 1977 with shortstop Alan Trammell.

Jennings was Tampa Bay's minor-league player of the month for April and played in the All-Star Futures Game in July. Just after the break, he was the Southern League's hitter of the week after reaching base 18 times in 24 plate appearances. Jennings is now at Triple-A Durham.

"I've got to keep producing this year," Jennings said. "I thought I was done after the team MVP. I thought that was it."

Jennings planned to call his mom with the news, but he didn't expect a wild scream or celebration.

"She'll probably say, 'Oh, yeah? That's good,'" Jennings said. "She'll be excited, but she won't get out of hand about it."

Former Carolina Mudcat Travis Wood won the most outstanding pitcher award. Wood recorded a league-record 1.21 ERA before a July promotion.

Birmingham's Ever Magallanes was named the league's top manager. The Barons have an 85-49 overall record.

The postseason All-Star team ...
C: Tyler Flowers, Birmingham
1B: Blake Lalli, Tennessee
2B: C.J. Retherford, Birmingham (unanimous pick)
3B: Juan Francisco, Carolina
SS: Pedro Ciriaco, Mobile
OF: Ezequiel Carrera, West Tenn
OF: David Cook, Birmingham
OF: Stefan Gartrell, Birmingham
OF: Desmond Jennings, Montgomery
DH: Greg Halman, West Tenn
Utility: Todd Frazier, Carolina
Best hustler: Matt Young, Mississippi
Right-handed pitcher: John Ely, Birmingham
Left-handed pitcher: Travis Wood, Carolina
Relief pitcher: Matt Peterson, Jacksonville


The awards are voted on by the league's managers, radio broadcasters and beat writers.

No surprise in Biscuits' MVP for 2009

The Biscuits play their final home games of the season tonight and Tuesday, so this is the time the Advertiser annually names the team's most valuable player. It shouldn't be a big surprise.

If you haven't seen the story already, you can read about the winner by clicking here.

Smokie, Lookout nab Southern League honors

Tennessee Smokies outfielder Tyler Colvin and Chattanooga Lookouts left-handed pitcher James Adkins won the Southern League's weekly awards.

Colvin was 11-of-27 with eight RBIs over the last week and won the hitter's award for the second time in August. Adkins, who also pitched for the University of Tennessee, threw 11 shutout innings and allowed eight singles.

Durham's Abreu wins International award

Durham right-hander Winston Abreu won the International League's pitcher of the week award today. He had three saves and no hits allowed in 5 2/3 innings over the last week. This year, Abreu is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA, 14 saves, 22 hits allowed and 70 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Hellickson, don't hurt 'em

Yes, it's a rare in-game post ... on a game not involving the Biscuits.

Mr. Jeremy Hellickson has a one-hit shutout as they stretch at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. He currently has 10 strikeouts, marking his third straight start with double-digit whiffs. The Bulls lead the Gwinnett Braves 4-nil. Brian Barton's sixth-inning single and a walk are Gwinnett's only offense.

Durham needed a good start after Saturday's five-hour, 14-inning affair. I'd say this just might qualify.

UPDATE: And just as I post that, the e-mail about the Hot Rods pops in. Bowling Green settled in for a 16-inning jaunt today, losing 3-2 to Asheville. Knuckleballer Diego Echevarria does yeoman-like work with six innings of one-run relief, though he took the loss. Time of game: 4 hours, 33 minutes.

2nd UPDATE: Hellickson is through eight, having allowed one hit and striking out 12. He's one K shy of his career high, set in seven shutout innings April 15, 2008 for high-Class A Vero Beach. Hellickson has thrown 107 pitches, so he's unlikely to return for the ninth.

3rd UPDATE: Yep, Dale Thayer in for the ninth.

Final: Durham wins 4-nil.

Rainout: Doubleheader Monday

The Biscuits have given up hope and canceled today's game. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader at 6:05 p.m. Monday.

Franco, Quintana Roo fall in Mexican finals

Former Biscuits catcher Iker Franco and his current team, the Quintana Roo Tigers, watched Saltillo celebrate a Mexican League championship Saturday. Saltillo's 14-1 win clinched the title in Game 6 of the best-of-7 series. Franco hit .362 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in 17 playoff games.

Moist conditions for final Sunday home game

1:15 update: It's official that this one will start with a delay. Looking at conditions, it could be a long wait.

===
The tarp is out and it's sprinkling, though nothing like the rain earlier today, but the Biscuits plan to get this one in. Matt Spring is Montgomery's catcher this afternoon after playing most of Saturday night's game due to Jose Lobaton's injury.

Biscuits infielder Fernando Cortez and former Biscuits Gabriel Martinez and Jesus Feliciano are on Puerto Rico's preliminary roster for the International Baseball Foundation's World Cup. Former Biscuit Iker Franco is on Mexico's preliminary roster. Final decisions are due this week.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Cipriano, 2b
Cody Strait, rf
Jason Perry, lf
Matt Spring, c
Brandon Chaves, ss
Brandon Mann, lhp

MUDCATS
Kris Negron, cf
Jose Castro, 2b
Sean Henry, lf
Yonder Alonso, dh
Zack Cozart, ss
Shaun Cumberland, rf
Logan Parker, 1b
Justin Tordi, 3b
Jake Long, c
Camilo Vazquez, lhp

Albernaz unable to answer call to mound

The Durham Bulls, in obvious need of Craig Albernaz's pitching expertise, called another position player to the mound tonight.

Though Albernaz was surely eager to fluff up his 0.00 career ERA, Ray Olmedo pitched the final two innings of Durham's 10-9, 14-inning home win over Gwinnett.

Yes, Olmedo took advantage of the opportunity left by Albernaz and picked up a victory, though he allowed two runs in two innings.

Albernaz does have a small excuse since he's currently on the disabled list.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Rollins also promoted to Triple-A

Biscuits reliever Heath Rollins was also promoted to Triple-A Durham after tonight's win. There's no corresponding move of yet.

Pure speculation: With catcher Jose Lobaton leaving tonight with an injury -- and he says he'll be fine -- and the Biscuits playing in the afternoon Sunday, I'll take a guess and say Alex Jamieson goes on the active roster for at least a day.

Rollins is 9-11 with a 3.83 ERA this year. He moved to the bullpen early this month. In six relief appearances, he has a 2.53 ERA and has allowed three of seven inherited runners to score.

Oliveros promoted to Durham; Mann to start Sunday

Biscuits pitcher Rayner Oliveros was promoted after tonight's game to Triple-A Durham, which needs a starter after Andy Sonnanstine went back to the Rays after Scott Kazmir's trade.

Oliveras is 5-3, has a 3.25 ERA and was supposed to start Sunday's game. Brandon Mann will now start with newly acquired Alex Torres going Monday. With Thursday's off day, Mann will be pitching on regular rest.

Frontz says he's close to return

Reliever Neal Frontz, after throwing a 25-pitch side session Friday, threw 30 pitches Saturday and says he's close to coming off the disabled list.

Frontz, who has been on the shelf since Aug. 10 with a sore elbow, said he feels only the usual discomfort in it now.

"I should be activated in a day or two," Frontz said. "It's sore, but it's going to be sore because I haven't thrown like normal in a few weeks."

With the end of the season near, the Biscuits weren't considering shutting Frontz down for the year.

"We're anticipating getting him back out there," manager Billy Gardner said.

Speedy Gathright goes to Red Sox

Former Biscuits outfielder Joey Gathright has been traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Boston Red Sox, mlbtraderumors.com reports citing MASNsports.com. Gathright was at Triple-A Norfolk.

Catcher Lobaton leaves after being hit on arm

Biscuits catcher Jose Lobaton left tonight's game after one inning with an apparent arm injury. He was hit on the arm while attempting to block a Ryan Morse wild pitch in the top of the first. Lobaton flied out to end the bottom of the first, but didn't come out for the second. Matt Spring replaced him.

Torres still working on Friday time

Alex Torres, acquired by the Rays on Friday, has already joined the Biscuits and feels like it's still Friday.

Torres was with the Arkansas Travelers for a series-ending game Friday night in Tulsa, Okla. He sat in the stands and charted because he was scheduled to pitch Sunday.

Told of the trade, he rode the team bus back to Little Rock, packed his bags and flew to Montgomery today. (He said he's supposed to make his Montgomery debut Monday.)

"I haven't slept yet," Torres said. "We got back at 4 a.m. and I had to pack my bags to come here, so it's been a long day."

It's the final Saturday home game of 2009

After a home game away from the Biscuits (ah, football is here ... dadgumit), we're back at Riverwalk Stadium for the second game -- and my first -- of the Carolina series. Montgomery, ummm, let me look it up, won Friday's opener 3-1.

Former Biscuit Shaun Cumberland is amongst the Mudcats, who also feature Cincinnati's No. 1 prospect, first baseman Yonder Alonso.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c
Cody Cipriano, 2b
Matt Fields, 1b
Jason Perry, lf
Cody Strait, rf
Jason Bowers, ss
Ryan Morse, lhp

MUDCATS
Kris Negron, 2b
Jose Castro, 3b
Sean Henry, dh
Yonder Alonso, 1b
Zack Cozart, ss
Shaun Cumberland, cf
Carson Kainer, lf
Stephen Chapman, rf
Jason Bour, c
Jerry Gil, rhp

System check

Former Biscuits catcher Iker Franco and the Quintana Roo Tigers trail 3-2 to Saltillo in the best-of-7 Mexican League championship series. Game 6 is tonight at Saltillo.

TRIPLE-A, DURHAM BULLS
International League South

(76-58, tied for first place)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson reached 10 strikeouts for the second straight start Tuesday. He allowed three hits and three runs in seven innings. Hellickson is 4-1 with a 3.40 ERA.
LHP Jason Cromer gave up one run in seven innings of a no-decision Thursday. He’s 6-3 with a 2.47 ERA.
CF Desmond Jennings has reached base 40 times and scored 15 runs in 25 games.
RF Matt Joyce was 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBIs Friday, giving him a .274 average, 15 homers and 62 RBIs this season. He hit a first-inning grand slam Monday.

HIGH-CLASS A, CHARLOTTE STONE CRABS
Florida State League South

(30-29, second place, 3 GB)
RHP Alex Cobb has won his last two starts and is 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA in his last nine starts. He’s 8-5 with a 3.14 ERA this season.
LHP Jake McGee hasn’t allowed a run in his last three appearances, covering eight innings.
RHP Jeremy Hall threw five shutout innings Wednesday in a no-decision after losing his previous three starts. He’s 13-7 with a 3.79 ERA.
CF John Matulia is hitting .277 with 27 runs scored and 26 RBIs.
LHP David Newmann is 7-6 with a 3.85 ERA and 102 hits allowed in 117 innings.

LOW-CLASS A, BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
South Atlantic League Southern

(28-30, tied for third, 8.5 GB)
RHP Frank De Los Santos threw five no-hit innings in a no-decision Thursday. He’s 4-9 with a 3.87 ERA.
SS Tim Beckham is hitting .316 in August, giving him a .283 average for the season. He’s 20-for-45 in his current 11-game hitting streak.
OF K.D. Kang, by going 14-for-30 in his last nine games, has pushed his season average to .301. He’s hitting .385 in August.
LHP Matt Moore gave up a season-high eight hits and six runs in 3.2 innings last Sunday. He gave up a home run and hit a batter for the first time in more than two months.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara

(32-35, third place, 10.5 GB)
RF Brett Nommensen is 17-for-39 in his last 10 games and has a .263 average this year.
RHP Alex Colome allowed four unearned runs in a loss Wednesday and is 6-3 with a 1.97 ERA.
LHP Kyle Lobstein allowed two hits and struck out eight in seven shutout innings Tuesday.
RHP Jason McEachern threw a seven-inning, three-hit shutout last Sunday for his first win.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East

(33-29, second place, 11 GB)
3B Julio Cedeno was 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs Thursday. He’s hitting .265.
LHP Joey Dettrich gave up one hit in seven shutout innings to win last Sunday. He’s 4-5 with a 3.18 ERA.
RHP Deivis Mavares threw five shutout innings Tuesday.

ROOKIE, GCL RAYS
Gulf Coast League South

(18-35, fifth place, 14.5 GB)
LHP Jacob Partridge took a complete-game loss Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits in six innings. He has a 1.85 ERA and has allowed 23 hits in 34 innings.
RHP Andrew Bellatti gave up one hit in four shutout innings Monday.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays

RHP Chris Mason threw seven shutout innings Tuesday in his debut at Triple-A Buffalo (Mets). He allowed five hits and walked one.
RF Elijah Dukes knocked in five runs Tuesday for the Washington Nationals and was 3-for-4 with two doubles Friday. He’s hitting .244 with 51 RBIs.
CF Joey Gathright ranks third in the Triple-A International League with a .329 average for Norfolk (Orioles).
RHP Tim Corcoran picked up his first win for Triple-A Albuquerque (Dodgers) on Wednesday. He has a 6.32 ERA in four games.
1B Rhyne Hughes hit his first home run for Triple-A Norfolk (Orioles) against Durham on Wednesday. He’s hitting .194 in 10 games.
IF Johnny Raburn has a .299 average in 32 games with Triple-A Nashville (Brewers).
2B Josh Asanovich is hitting .287 with 55 runs scored at independent Winnipeg.

Bulls, Rays extend PDC, to face off in spring exhibition

The Durham Bulls will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a spring exhibition game next year, the Bulls announced today. The game will either be April 2 or 3 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The Bulls and Rays also have extended their player-development contract through 2014. The current PDC ends after 2010.

Durham also released its 2010 schedule and -- in Rickwood Classic style -- will return to its ancestral grounds for one game. Durham Athletic Park, made famous by the movie "Bull Durham" and home to the Bulls from 1940-94, will host Durham's game with the Toledo Mud Hens on May 10.

Sweeney goes to Stone Crabs

Third baseman Matt Sweeney, freshly acquired by the Rays in Friday's Scott Kazmir trade, will begin his time in the Tampa Bay organization with the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Trade official: Kazmir for Torres, Sweeney, PTBN

The Rays have formally announced their trade with the Los Angeles Angels, swapping Scott Kazmir for minor-leaguers Alex Torres and Matt Sweeney, plus a player to be named.

Torres could come straight to the Biscuits, while he and Sweeney should be on Montgomery's 2010 Opening Day roster.

Reports: Kazmir traded to Angels for two minor leaguers

Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir, who debuted in the organization with the Biscuits in 2004, is being traded to the Los Angeles Angels, according to multiple reports.

The St. Pete Times says Kazmir will fetch two minor leaguers from the Angels: left-handed pitcher Alex Torres (left) and third baseman Matt Sweeney (right).

Before the season, Baseball America ranked Sweeney 18th and Torres 24th in the L.A. organization.

Sweeney has a .299 average in 58 games at high-Class A Rancho Cucamonga. He just recently returned from a hip injury that cost him two months. Sweeney didn't play last year because of an ankle injury.

Torres is currently at Double-A Arkansas and has a 2.77 ERA in five starts. He started the year at Rancho Cucamonga and went 10-3 with a 2.74 ERA.

Powell yearns to show off home run trot


Here's an addendum to today's story about Biscuits outfielder Pedro Powell (honored via bobblehead, at right, by Class A Lynchburg in 2008) and his football prowess (basketball and track, too) at Hawkinsville (Ga.) High.

Powell’s biggest baseball tool is obviously his speed and he had 264 career steals. He also, believe it or not, has a home run.

On July 28, 2005, Powell was with Hickory of the Class A South Atlantic League. With one out in the third inning, Powell hit a two-run homer over the left-field wall off Greg Kloosterman.

Pirates roving outfield instructor Gary Redus, a native Alabamian and former major leaguer, cracked to Powell that the pitcher would be released. Kloosterman finished his final professional season with a 4-19 record.

"I didn’t know it was gone," Powell said. "I was running hard around first and the guy in front of me stopped and looked at me. He yelled, 'Do you know what you did? You just hit a home run.' I was smiling from second to home."

It remains his only homer in more than 1,100 professional at-bats.

"Some of the guys say to this day that I’ll get another one. 'Just wait. You’ll run into one,'" Powell said. "If I run into another home run, I won’t know how to act.

"I might run around the bases full speed."

Nomadic Hot Rods have schedule for Midwest move

The Bowling Green Hot Rods, who are moving to the Midwest League after one season in the South Atlantic, released their 2010 schedule today. Times aren't set yet, but, if you have a summer 2010 trip planned north on I-65, check and see if you can mix in a Hot Rods pit stop.

The Rods and Ohio's Lake County Captains are leaving the South Atlantic League for the Midwest League next year.

Triple-A Durham is announcing its schedule Saturday, along with two announcements regarding the Tampa Bay Rays and one involving the Bulls and their stadium, according to a Bulls release. (Spring exhibition game? PDC extension?)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Bulls, Alabama will have 2 each on U.S. team at IBAF

Durham Bulls outfielder Jon Weber and pitcher Jason Childers will be part of Team USA at the International Baseball Federation's World Cup, which will be played Sept. 9-27 in Europe.

The state of Alabama will be represented by two pitchers: Kasey Kiker and Ehren Wasserman. Kiker, who is in the Texas organization, went to Russell County High, while Wasserman is from Sylacauga. Wasserman is in the Chicago White Sox system.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Bulls activate Elliot Johnson from disabled list

Durham infielder Elliot Johnson has been activated from the disabled list and the Bulls, who start a series tonight at Norfolk, deactivated Henry Mateo. Johnson has been out with a leg injury.

Darin Downs released from hospital

Biscuits pitcher Darin Downs has been released from Birmingham's St. Vincent's Hospital, the Rays told the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times. According to the papers, the Rays say he's expected to make a full recovery and pitch next season.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Biscuits officially eliminated from playoff race

You can now officially book your calendar for Sept. 8 and thereafter without fear of the Biscuits complicating your schedule. Montgomery's 4-0 loss tonight at Huntsville officially eliminated the Biscuits from playoff contention.

Full Arizona Fall League rosters available

All six rosters for the Arizona Fall League are out. We already know that Tampa Bay's players will don the gear of the Phoenix Desert Dogs (with Stephen Strasburg as their teammate).

Biscuits second baseman Cody Cipriano is listed as an outfielder, but that apparently is a typo. Cipriano said he's never played outfield and hasn't been told of any switch.

Other players noteworthy to me ...
rShortstop Carlos Triunfel, who broke his leg at Riverwalk in April, will be a member of the Peoria Javelinas.
rFirst baseman Brandon Allen, formerly of the Barons and now with the Diamondbacks, and Mobile shortstop Pedro Ciriaco are Scottsdale Scorpions.
rPitchers Josh Butler and Travis Schlichting will also be Javelinas. Both are former property of the Tampa Bay Rays.
rHeck, half the Southern League will be Javelinas: Dayan Viciedo, Jordan Danks, C.J. Rutherford, Taylor Green, Josh Fields. The list goes on and on. The Dodgers, Mariners, White Sox and Brewers are assigned to the Javelinas.
rMississippi's three biggest names -- pitcher Craig Kimbrel, infielder Freddie Freeman and star-to-be Jason Heyward -- will be Peoria Saguaros.

All together now: We're No. 203! We're No. 203!

Montgomery ranks close to the bottom among minor-league markets, according to a study by Sports Business Journal.

The city is 203rd with a "score" of minus-23.53 -- right behind Asheville, N.C., and just before Albany, Ga. Montgomery, with the Biscuits as its only current team, has recently lost two indoor football teams, the Bears and Maulers.

Hershey-Harrisburg, Pa., is No. 1. Richmond, Va., is last at 239th.

Inside the state, Mobile is 85th, Huntsville 138th and Birmingham 190th. Mobile has the BayBears. Huntsville has a hockey team and an indoor football team to go along with the Stars (and recently lost an NBADL team). The Birmingham market has the Barons (and recently lost an indoor football team).

Around the Southern League -- 45. Knoxville, Tenn.; 52. Jackson, Miss.; 59. Jackson, Tenn.; 70. Chattanooga, Tenn. (Jacksonville, Fla., and Raleigh, N.C., are major-league markets.)

The rankings are based on how long a town has had a team, how well a town supports those teams and the health of the town's economy, particularly the effect on attendance. Montgomery ranked 205th in tenure, 184th in attendance and 196th in economy.

Penned-in Rollins is now Tampa Bay's plan

I saw this question directed to me about Heath Rollins from the fine folks over at raysprospects.com.
The only one who confuses me a little is Rollins, I assumed the switch to [relief pitcher] was to control his innings, but apparently not. Perhaps (or not) Stacy can shed some light on why this appears to be Rollins' long-term plan?

Perhaps, I can. =)

Though Rollins did have a 3.94 ERA as a starter this year, the Rays no longer project him as a possible starter in the major leagues. He's fully part of the bullpen. With the move, which came when Darin Downs moved up, they want to send Rollins to Arizona to give him extra time to adjust.

I'll fully admit I was 0-for-3 on my early AFL guesses, but I also wasn't sure if one would be eligible. I had Jake McGee, Elliot Johnson and Fernando Perez on my list since all three had missed considerable time with injuries.

((And I like those questions much more than being asked about Auburn and Alabama football! It stuns people around here that I don't know the four-deep depth chart from both schools, plus the favored formations for second-and-short from the right hashmark.))

Monday, August 24, 2009

5 with Biscuits ties among Rays' AFL party

Four players currently with the Biscuits and one formerly with the team will make up Tampa Bay's six-player contingent at the Arizona Fall League.

Pitchers Heath Rollins, Matt Gorgen and Paul Phillips and infielder Cody Cipriano now play for Montgomery. Catcher Nevin Ashley was with the Biscuits until late July. The oddball is shortstop Shawn O'Malley, who's at high-Class A Charlotte with Ashley.

Bowling Green pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein will also take part.

They'll all suit up for the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

Rollins isn't a surprise since he just converted to the bullpen and is still learning that role. Gorgen (2008) and Cipriano (2007) are recent draftees who have already reached Double-A. (Cipriano also missed much of last year with injuries.)

Phillips is somewhat of a surprise, but he's been that all year. He ended last year with an independent team, but had a sub-2.00 ERA until a blowup last week. He's now at 2.57 with seven saves.

Bidding starts for Biscuits' jerseys

The Biscuits have opened bidding online for the team's road, blue jerseys. The bidding will continue at Riverwalk Stadium during Saturday's game with Carolina. Minimum bid is $150.

Player who hit Downs wins league award

Birmingham's Christian Marrero, the player whose line drive struck Biscuits pitcher Darin Downs, won the Southern League's weekly hitter's award today. Marrero hit .304 with nine RBIs and is the sixth different Baron to win this year. Tennessee Smokies left-hander Jeremy Papelbon was the top pitcher after not allowing an earned run in 12 2/3 innings.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Biscuits to face former teammate Monday

The Biscuits will take on a former teammate Monday when the Huntsville Stars send out Josh Butler as their starting pitcher.

Butler was with the Rays until he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for major-leaguer Gabe Gross early last year. He was at high-Class A Vero Beach and a teammate of many of today's Biscuits. He pitched for low-A Columbus and Vero in 2007.

Butler would have faced the Biscuits last month in Montgomery, but he was on the disabled list. The right-hander was Tampa Bay's second-round draft pick in 2006.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Eldridge ties career high with five RBIs

Biscuits center fielder Rashad Eldridge tied a career high with five RBIs in Montgomery's 11-3 win at Huntsville tonight.

Eldridge hit a three-run triple in the fourth inning, an RBI single in the sixth inning and a run-scoring groundout in the seventh. The 27-year-old is in his 10th professional season.

He also had five RBIs on Aug. 27, 2002, while playing for Pulaski in the Rookie-level Appalachian League against the Princeton Rays. (Current Biscuits pitcher Brandon Mann was with Princeton, but didn't pitch that night.)

System check

Former Biscuits catcher Iker Franco and the Quintana Roo Tigers play Game 1 of the best-of-7 Mexican League championship series tonight.

TRIPLE-A, DURHAM BULLS
International League South

(70-57, second place, 3 GB)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson struck out a season-high 10 over five innings Thursday. He allowed three hits, one earned run and two walks. Hellickson is 4-1 with a 3.31 ERA.
CF Desmond Jennings has a .387 on-base percentage and 11 runs scored in 19 games. He came within a home run of the cycle Wednesday.
LF Jon Weber has a .408 average in August and is hitting .306 with a league-high 44 doubles this season.
C John Jaso knocked in a season-high four runs Thursday. He has a .258 average and 30 RBIs.
RF Matt Joyce, 5-for-7 in his last two games, is hitting .275 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs.

HIGH-CLASS A, CHARLOTTE STONE CRABS
Florida State League South

(29-26, second place, 2 GB)
LHP Jake McGee threw three shutout innings for a second straight start Wednesday.
RHP Alex Cobb is 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA in his last nine starts. He’s 8-5 this year with a 3.14 ERA.
RHP Richard De Los Santos, after allowing a run in two innings Thursday, is 1-0 with eight saves and a 1.04 ERA in 10 games.
LHP David Newmann gave up one run on three hits in six innings of a win Monday. In 111 innings, he’s allowed 96 hits and totaled 105 strikeouts.
RHP Jeremy Hall lost his third straight start Friday, giving up seven runs in 4.2 innings.

LOW-CLASS A, BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
South Atlantic League Southern

(27-25, third place, 6 GB)
OF K.D. Kang, who homered twice Wednesday, is hitting .417 with nine walks and 13 RBIs in his last 15 games.
SS Tim Beckham, 10-for-17 in his last five games, has a .275 average, 50 runs scored and 61 RBIs. He’s also committed 37 errors.
LHP Matt Moore, who is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in his last four games, has held hitters to a .187 average.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara

(28-32, third place, 10 GB)
LHP Kyle Lobstein struck out a season-high 10 in five innings Thursday. He allowed three runs on four hits and one walk in five innings.
RHP Zach Quate has a 19-inning scoreless streak and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 20 innings this year.
OF D.J. Jones is hitting .170.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East

(30-25, second place, 9 GB)
RHP Wilking Rodriguez threw five no-hit innings Tuesday, walking one.
CF Cody Rogers hit his sixth home run Friday and has a .327 average, 30 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
LHP Zac Rosscup threw five shutout innings Friday to improve to 2-3 with a 1.88 ERA.
RHP Scott Shuman has an 0.95 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19 innings.

ROOKIE, GCL RAYS
Gulf Coast League South

(16-31, fifth place, 13.5 GB)
LHP Jacob Partridge, after a four-run, 3.1-inning loss last weekend, rebounded with five shutout innings Friday. He’s 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA, 20 hits allowed and 33 strikeouts in 28 innings.
LHP Enny Romero gave up one hit and struck out seven in four shutout innings of relief Wednesday.
LHP Shawn Smith allowed one hit in three shutout innings of a win Thursday and has a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays

RHP Ruddy Lugo is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last six starts at Triple-A Toledo (Tigers). He’s 11-8 with a 4.00 ERA this year.
C Iker Franco has four home runs and 16 RBIs in Quintana Roo’s 12 games in the Mexican League playoffs, helping the Tigers reach the championship series.
RHP Jason Hammel allowed one run on three hits in seven innings to win Thursday for the Colorado Rockies. He’s 8-7 with a 4.54 ERA.
IF Gabriel Martinez has a .321 average with Double-A Chattanooga (Dodgers) since returning from a broken hand.
1B Wes Bankston is 14-for-41 with 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored in his last 10 games for Triple-A Louisville (Reds). He has a .260 average and 16 home runs.
1B Rhyne Hughes is 2-for-15 after four games with Triple-A Norfolk (Orioles).
RHP Tim Corcoran has a 7.27 ERA after two starts for Triple-A Albuquerque (Dodgers).
LHP Brian Henderson has a 2.49 ERA in 37 appearances for independent Somerset.
IF Vince Harrison was traded Monday to independent Winnipeg. It’s his second trade this season within the Northern League.
OF Sergio Pedroza , traded Monday to independent Calgary, has a .325 average and 15 home runs and 67 RBIs in the Golden League. His on-base percentage is .439.
C Josh Arhart is hitting .329 with 11 homers for independent Victoria.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Hughes has added competition in Baltimore

Former Biscuits first baseman Rhyne Hughes has some more competition with the Baltimore Orioles, who are checking out Luke Scott at the position over the season's last six weeks. Hughes went to the O's last weekend just before the O's traded their primary first baseman, Aubrey Huff, to Detroit. Scott had played just one game at first this year before playing two this week.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

All-Star experienced what Downs is going through

Six-time All-Star stopper Billy Wagner empathizes with Biscuits pitcher Darin Downs and Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, also hit recently.

Wagner was hit by a line drive in 1998 and shared his memories with FanHouse.
"The vertigo was the worst. Man, I didn't have headaches. I just couldn't walk. My balance was off. And every time you'd go to eat, you'd throw up."

Davis outkicks coverage with fiancee

Former Biscuits pitcher Wade Davis met his bride-to-be, Katelyn Casey, when he was with the Hudson Valley Renegades and she was working for the team.

Davis admits his ugliness to the Times Herald-Record and says he was "a big, tall, scary person" when they met -- and he still is, to be honest.

We will definitely say he's outkicked his coverage here, though I'm sure we all remember that Davis was named one of the sexiest players in the minor leagues early last year and referred to as a "nice, warm Biscuit." (Here's the original blog post of Davis' 2008 recognition.)

(I saw the THR story mentioned at raysindex.com.)

Morse to take Downs' spot in rotation

Left-hander Ryan Morse has been promoted back from high-Class A Charlotte and will take Darin Downs' spot in the rotation.

Morse went down to the Stone Crabs on Aug. 7 when Downs was promoted to the Biscuits. Right-hander Jose Mejias, on Montgomery's roster for a week as part of a paper move, was moved back to the Crabs.

Morse, who starts Sunday at Huntsville, is 2-6 with a 5.65 ERA this year for the Biscuits.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Rays have close ties to Downs' hospital

St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham is a good place for Biscuits pitcher Darin Downs, as far as the Tampa Bay Rays are concerned.

St. Vincent's is the home base for Dr. James Andrews and the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center. Andrews is also the Rays' medical director.

Tocco to do P.A. at Huntingdon games

Former Biscuits voice Jim Tocco, still in town running his own graphics design business, will be the public-address announcer for Huntingdon football this year. Good move for the Hawks.

First-rounder's dad: Rays welched on pre-draft deal

Victor Washington, the dad of Tampa Bay's unsigned first-round pick, LeVon Washington, says the Rays didn't follow a pre-draft deal made with the outfielder, reports the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun. LeVon, who didn't qualify at Florida, says he'll be back in the draft next year and tells the St. Petersburg Times that he's "done with it" and "it was their choice."

Biscuits welcome get-well cards for Downs

The Tampa Bay Rays players have already sent a get-well card to Darin Downs and a Crumbs reader e-mailed asking the best way to do the same.

The Biscuits say they'll forward any cards they receive, so send them to ...
Montgomery Biscuits
ATTN: Darin Downs
200 Coosa Street
Montgomery, AL 36104

Downs update: He's out of ICU, in private room

Biscuits pitcher Darin Downs is out of intensive care and is in a private room at Birmingham's St. Vincent's Hospital, according to a source close to the situation. Downs is walking and talking on his own. His mom, who goes by Patty, and his fiancee are with him.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Brignac back to Bulls; Bradford back with Rays

Shortstop Reid Brignac was demoted back to Triple-A Durham after Tampa Bay's win tonight and the Rays are activating pitcher Chad Bradford, who made a June rehab appearance with the Biscuits.

Davis outduels former Cy Young winner Peavy

Wade Davis beat former NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy tonight with Durham's 5-2 home victory over the Charlotte Knights. Davis allowed two runs on two hits and three walks over 7 2/3 innings. Peavy, making a rehab start, went four innings, giving up five hits and four runs (three earned).

It was also Fernando Perez's season debut with the Bulls. He was 1-for-3 with a double and run scores before Desmond Jennings spelled him and was 1-for-2 with a double.

Downs, obviously, not expected to return this year

Maybe it goes without saying, but I'll post it now: Pitcher Darin Downs isn't expected to return this season after being hit in the head with a line drive Monday.

Downs, in intensive care at St. Vincent's Hospital in downtown Birmingham, only had three more scheduled starts this year and will need time to recover. The Rays are sending minor-league training coordinator Mark Vinson, formerly Montgomery's trainer, to Birmingham to aid Biscuits trainer Lee Slagle with Downs and the team.

Downs' mom, Patricia, is also headed up, though dad Rich is staying behind with a younger sibling. That's a good sign.

Downs update: Biscuits told to not comment

The Rays or the Downs family will make all further comment about Darin Downs and his condition, the Biscuits say. That's generally not a good sign.

Downs officially goes on DL; Perry activated

The Biscuits have put pitcher Darin Downs on the disabled list and activated outfielder Jason Perry. Perry has been out since May with a broken wrist.

According to a statement made by the Rays and released by the Biscuits, Downs is in "serious, but stable condition" at St. Vincent's.

Downs in ICU with fractured skull, but alert

Biscuits pitcher Darin Downs is in intensive care with a fractured skull at Birmingham's St. Vincent's Hospital after being hit by a line drive Monday.

Downs is alert and conscious, and doctors are monitoring some cranial bleeding and swelling, team spokesman Jon Laaser said.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Strasburg extracts $15.67M from Nationals

Stephen Strasburg has agreed with the Washington Nationals on a four-year, major-league contract worth $15.67 million, according to Baseball America.

Downs struck by line drive, leaves game

Biscuits starter Darin Downs was struck on the head with a line drive in the fifth inning tonight of Birmingham's 3-0 win in Hoover. Christian Marrero hit a liner off Downs that deflected into the Barons' dugout for a ground-rule double.

Downs, who never lost consciousness, was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent's Hospital in downtown Birmingham, team spokesman Jon Laaser said. It's unknown if Downs will spend the night at St. Vincent's.

Albernaz shines in ninth for Durham

Follicly challenged catcher Craig Albernaz starred on the mound for Durham tonight in a 9-3 loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Albernaz retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning and threw six of his 10 pitches for strikes. As far as I can find, it was the first pitching appearance of his career. Albernaz did play outfield for one game at high-A Vero Beach last year and has flashed the leather at second base once this season for Durham.

The Bulls were thin in the pen tonight after starter Carlos Hernandez missed a second straight start Sunday.

Our diligent staff here at Biscuit Crumbs found that Albernaz has been preparing for such a possibility. At left, he shows a little change-up grip while with Montgomery late last year.

Friedman: Late Washington sign "extremely unlikely"

Rays general manager Andrew Friedman and scouting director R.J. Harrison just had a conference call with the media about not signing first-round draft pick LeVon Washington and second-rounder Kenny Diekroeger.

Of Washington, Friedman said the Rays "put up an offer that was consistent with a late first-round pick." Though the deadline isn't until 11 p.m. Central today, Friedman said it's "extremely unlikely" they'll come to terms.

"I think it would be hard for us to get it going in the early afternoon and finish by the deadline," Friedman said. "At this point, it's next to impossible."

Washington, who had major shoulder surgery last fall, has signed with the University of Florida. (He's also the son of a former star Tuskegee football and baseball player.) Diekroeger has long been set on going to Stanford, though Harrison said Diekroeger had used the word "conflicted" to describe his feelings between college and the Rays.

rFriedman on Washington's draft-day quote that he was ready to sign:
"When we heard that news, we were very excited about the prospect of getting LeVon signed early and getting his rehab started. Once that dragged on, our focus really shifted to today."

rHarrison on Diekroeger:
"He wasn't comfortable bypassing the college experience. ... Even though we took a great shot at him, it didn't work out, but I think we'd (draft him) again at this point."

rFriedman on the late signs of their Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 9 picks:
"I know there's a lot of interest in the Top 2 guys, but we get compensation. We don't on 4-5-9 and we added three players we feel are good prospects. That's significant."
(The Rays will receive an additional first- and second-round pick in next year's draft.)

rFriedman on going overslot with bonuses to those picks:
"They all fit within our evaluation. We had very strong relationships with those players coming into the draft and that only strengthened through the summer. Those four players really wanted to sign and play professional baseball. We really wanted to sign them."

For a full signing board, click here for the exemplary list at raysprospects.com.

Hughes helped by Huff trade

The Baltimore Orioles, the new organization of former Biscuits first baseman Rhyne Hughes, traded their primary first baseman, Aubrey Huff, to the Detroit Tigers today. Huff is a free agent after this season.

Jaxx rake in league's weekly awards

West Tenn swept the Southern League's weekly awards today. Left-handed pitcher Nick Hill, who doubles as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, pitched two complete games, while first baseman Marshall Hubbard hit .391 with eight RBIs. Hill had a three-hitter last Monday against Carolina and a seven-inning six-hitter Saturday against Chattanooga.

Rays not hopeful of signing top draft picks

The Rays don't expect to sign their top two picks from this year's draft by tonight's deadline, the team says in a release. The signing deadline is 11 p.m. Central today.

First-rounder LeVon Washington, a high school outfielder from Gainesville, Fla., was the 30th overall pick and appears headed to the University of Florida. He's being advised by Scott Boras.

"We are disappointed that LeVon has chosen not to sign with the Rays,” Rays general manager Andrew Friedman said in a statement. “We offered him a bonus consistent with late-first round picks. Immediately following the draft, he seemed eager to sign, but it has not materialized. We wish LeVon great success with his baseball career.”

Second-rounder Kenny Diekroeger, a high school shortstop from Atherton, Calif., was the 78th overall pick and had signed with Stanford.

"When we drafted Kenny, we went in with our eyes wide open, knowing he had a strong desire to attend Stanford University,” Friedman said. “We knew that we would either be signing a top talent or receiving a comparable pick in the 2010 draft. We wish Kenny all the best at Stanford.”

The Rays will receive an additional first- and second-round pick in next year's draft as compensation.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Hughes happy to have an O face

OK, OK, I know. Bad pun. Just talked to former Biscuit Rhyne Hughes, new property of the Baltimore Orioles.

rOn the move: "It all boils down to me doing well. The opportunity is there. Just like anywhere else, you still have to produce."

rOn learning he'd been traded: "I had no idea. I was in the clubhouse and about to go to the batting cage when Charlie (Montoyo) came up and said, 'Congratulations, you’re an Oriole now.' I didn't know what to do or what to think about it."

rOn facing Durham six times over the next three weeks: "When I was with Durham, we wanted to keep Norfolk off our heels. Now, the tables are turned. It's going to be fun this last month."

Rainout

Game canceled.

Jennings sprayed all over top tools list

Baseball America has released its top Double-A tools list and there's no surprise at the one (now former) Biscuit mentioned: center fielder Desmond Jennings.

He was named the Southern League's best baserunner, the fastest baserunner, the best defensive outfielder and the most exciting player.

At Triple-A, Reid Brignac was named the International League's best defensive shortstop.

Series, homestand finale ... finally

5:40: Officially, it's a rain delay. Unofficially, I'll say if there's any more rain, it'll be a rainout. It's sunny now, but there are storm cells headed in this direction.

5 p.m. update: Highly unlikely that the game will start on time. The infield is still quite moist and the grounds crew is feverishly working on it.

gA nice thundershower hit downtown about 30 minutes ago. The sun is now out and the tarp is off the infield, but there's standing water at third base, near the shortstop and second baseman's defensive positions and at the edge of the dirt in foul ground behind first. Drying agent is being generously applied.

It's the final day of Montgomery's 10-game homestand. The Biscuits face the Braves at 6:05 in the rubber game of their five-game series.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c
Cody Strait, rf
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Cipriano, 2b
J.T. Hall, lf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Darin Downs, lhp

BRAVES
Matt Young, cf
Concepcion Rodriguez, dh
Jason Heyward, rf
Freddie Freeman, 1b
Willie Cabrera, lf
Eric Campbell, 3b
Travis Jones, 2b
Kody Kirkland, ss
Phillip Britton, c
Tim Gustafson, rhp

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Mason doubles his fun with Binghamton

Departed Biscuits pitcher Chris Mason allowed three hits over five shutout innings to pick up his first win for the Binghamton Mets tonight . He also doubled, scored a run and has a .500 slugging percentage, which means the world will end in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

Auburn 38, Alabama 18

Your final from tonight's Auburn/Alabama Night. Probably the only time you'll see such a score this year.

The Biscuits also counted fans dressed in either Auburn or Alabama garb as they entered the park. Auburn had 3,124 to Alabama's 3,087.

Let's get ready to rumble

The always eagerly anticipated annual Riverwalk Stadium Armaggedon is almost here with Auburn/Alabama Night. Rest assured, your favorite team's opposition (represented below) is organizing outside the stadium at the moment.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Cody Strait, rf
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Cipriano, 2b
Matt Spring, c
Pedro Powell, lf
Aneury Rodriguez, rhp

BRAVES
Matt Young, cf
Brandon Hicks, ss
Jason Heyward, rf
Freddie Freeman, 1b
Concepcion Rodriguez, lf
Willie Cabrera, dh
Eric Campbell, 3b
J.C. Boscan, c
Kody Kirkland, 2b
Jose Ortegano, lhp

Rhyne Hughes traded to Baltimore

Former Biscuits first baseman Rhyne Hughes has been sent to the Baltimore Orioles to complete the trade that brought catcher Gregg Zaun to the Rays.

Hughes has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.

He had a .313 average with 22 doubles, seven home runs, 26 RBIs and 31 runs scored for Triple-A Durham. The 25-year-old was promoted from Montgomery in early June after hitting .252 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs.

Hughes won a batting title in the Florida State League in 2007 but admittedly struggled last year with the Biscuits and hit .268. He rallied in the Arizona Fall League with a .394 average and a league-high 20 extra-base hits.

g The Rays also recalled shortstop Reid Brignac from Durham and demoted relief pitcher Jeff Bennett.

g Thirdly, the Rays announced signing four more of their Top 10 picks, including fourth-rounder Lucas Bailey, a Georgia high school catcher who had signed with Auburn. (Best place to track all of that, see the raysprospects.com 2009 draft link to the right.) The first- and second-round picks are unsigned and the deadline is Monday.

System check

The Hudson Valley Renegades have three players headed to Tuesday's New York-Penn League All-Star Game in State College, Pa.: catcher Mark Thomas, shortstop Tyler Bortnick and right-handed pitcher Alex Colome.

TRIPLE-A, DURHAM BULLS
International League South

(66-54, second place, 2 GB)
LHP Jason Cromer allowed four hits over six shutout innings in a no-decision Wednesday. He’s 5-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 84.1 innings.
CF Desmond Jennings has reached base 17 times and scored eight runs in 11 games.
2B Elliot Johnson is hitting .298 with 23 RBIs and 20 runs scored in 34 games since his return from the disabled list.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson, after losing Monday, is 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA.

HIGH-CLASS A, CHARLOTTE STONE CRABS
Florida State League South

(25-22, tied for first place)
SS Shawn O’Malley has scored 13 runs in his last 11 games. He’s hitting .268, has a .388 on-base percentage and is 40-for-54 on steals.
RHP Jeremy Hall has six straight quality starts, though he lost the last two, and is 13-6 with a 3.57 ERA.
C Nevin Ashley has a .345 average in 10 August games.
LHP Jake McGee threw three shutout innings Friday.
RF Reid Fronk is hitting .201 with 28 RBIs.

LOW-CLASS A, BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
South Atlantic League Southern

(26-19, third place, 4 GB)
RHP Nick Barnese gave up two hits and an unearned run in a no-decision Tuesday. He has a 2.19 ERA in 13 starts.
LHP Matt Moore struck out nine and allowed one run in five innings in each of his last two starts, both wins. He has 150 strikeouts in 105.2 innings.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara

(26-29, third place, 9 GB)
RHP Alex Colome lost Friday, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings. He’s 5-2 with a 1.95 ERA. In his previous eight starts, he was 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA.
LHP Kyle Lobstein threw seven shutout innings Thursday to improve to 2-4 with a 2.92 ERA.
RF Brett Nommensen has a .419 August average, pushing him to .234 for the season.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East

(28-20, second place, 5.5 GB)
RHP Joey Callender threw a seven-inning six-hitter Thursday and improved to 4-2 with a 2.95 ERA.
RHP Alex Koronis gave up two hits in 3.1 shutout innings of relief Wednesday.

ROOKIE, GCL RAYS
Gulf Coast League South

(15-26, fifth place, 10.5 GB)
CF Ruben Contreras is 11-for-27 with three home runs, nine RBIs and nine runs scored in his last seven games. He’s hitting .221 this year.
1B Hector Gomez was 4-for-4 with a double, triple and five RBIs Tuesday.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays

C Iker Franco was 3-for-3 with a three-run home run and five RBIs Friday to help Quintana Roo take a 2-0 lead in its best-of-7 Mexican League semifinal playoff series.
RHP Jean Machi, promoted this month to Triple-A Indianapolis (Pirates), has two saves in his first three appearances. He had a 2.08 ERA at Double-A Altoona.
LF Delmon Young has eight hits and two home runs in his last six games with the Minnesota Twins. He’s hitting .266 with five homers and 31 RBIs.
C Robinson Cancel hit his first home run last Sunday for Triple-A Buffalo (Mets). Back-to-back three-hit games helped push his average to .242 in 61 games.
RHP Brian Stokes has given up one run and allowed one inherited runner to score in his last 15 outings for the New York Mets. He has a 3.12 ERA.
CF Joey Gathright is hitting .315 with 22 walks with Triple-A Norfolk (Orioles).
CF Jesus Feliciano has a .305 average at Triple-A Buffalo (Mets) and his 122 hits rank third in the International League.
OF Shaun Cumberland is hitting .231 for Double-A Carolina (Reds).
OF Francisco Leandro has a .295 average and 25 steals with independent Pensacola.

Mejias promoted, but it's a paper move

Pitcher Jose Mejias has been promoted to the Biscuits from high-Class A Charlotte, but it's only a paper move. Montgomery had an open roster spot with Neal Frontz going on the DL, and the Stone Crabs apparently needed some flexibility.

Friday, August 14, 2009

WSFA to Webcast Saturday's game

WSFA will be on its Webcasting best Saturday and show the Biscuits take on the Braves -- and Alabama take on Auburn -- from Riverwalk Stadium, so sayeth sports sire Derek Steyer. Check wsfa.com.

Mystery Man could have big impact Saturday

Since you've surely already read Friday's notebook, you already know the identity of the Mystery Man for Saturday's Auburn/Alabama Night. He'll be dressed in blue, pun not intended.

Southern League umpire Craig Barron is a lifelong Auburn fan. He also follows the Pittsburgh Steelers, if you're curious. By the way, Barron also draws positive reviews from both the Biscuits and Mississippi Braves for his umpiring skills.

Friday's lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c
Matt Fields, 1b
J.T. Hall, rf
Cody Cipriano, 2b
Jason Bowers, ss
Pedro Powell, lf
Brian Baker, rhp

BRAVES
Matt Young, cf
Brandon Hicks, ss
Jason Heyward, rf
Freddie Freeman, 1b
Willie Cabrera, lf
Greg Creek, dh
Eric Campbell, 3b
Travis Jones, 2b
Phillip Britton, c
Kyle Cofield, rhp

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Frontz will miss a week with elbow

The Biscuits are holding reliever Neal Frontz out for a week because of soreness in the right-hander's elbow. Frontz said it started hurting during Montgomery's series at Mississippi that ended last week.

"I thought it was normal, but it wasn't," he said. "This is more of a precaution than anything. I'll give it a rest and see how it feels."

Frontz has a 5.29 ERA in 43 appearances after giving up four runs in an inning Monday.

Who is Auburn/Alabama mystery man?

Saturday is the big day of the Biscuits-Braves series, when society's pecking order will be confirmed and the hayseeds that support the other team can be shown their inferiority. It's Auburn/Alabama Night -- teams put in the order as listed on the Biscuits' promotional schedule, so don't blame me -- on Saturday.

Mississippi has four players with a rooting interest: native Alabamians Kyle Cofield, Craig Kimbrel and Jerome Gamble, plus former Auburn player Brett Butts. Montgomery no longer has anybody, unless you count Arizona carpetbagger Matt Spring, who swore allegiance to the Tide as a requirement of his fiancee's family.

There's also a mystery person out there that we won't reveal as of yet, someone whose allegiance is beyond question.

Let the Iron Bowl trash talk commence!

Besides that, some fishing equipment is being set up downtown around the civic center and you may remember that Biscuits infielder Fernando Cortez fancies himself an expert reelsman.

In case you missed it, click here to read about the governor's political faux pas, Jason Perry's trip to Florida and perhaps the first references in our sports section to The Thinker and Mona Lisa.

Which obscure reference in my career brings me the most pride? I'll have to think about it.
1. Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Almontillado" -- when the pitcher locked himself in the bathroom here
2. Rodin's "The Thinker" -- comparing it to the Phillip Wellman bobblehead
3. da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" -- see The Thinker
4. perennial presidential loser William Jennings Bryan -- about a perennial state basketball tournament team seeking its first state championship

Oh, well, lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c
Cody Strait, rf
Matt Fields, 1b
J.T. Hall, lf
Jason Bowers, 2b
Brandon Chaves, ss
Brandon Mann, lhp

BRAVES
Matt Young, cf
Brandon Hicks, ss
Jason Heyward, rf
Freddie Freeman, 1b
Concepcion Rodriguez, lf
Willie Cabrera, dh
J.C. Boscan, c
Travis Jones, 2b
Kody Kirkland, 3b
Scott Diamond, lhp

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Marriage proposals continue Riverwalk success

We just had another successful marriage proposal during a game at Riverwalk Stadium. It came in the middle of the fifth inning. It's the eighth known successful proposal (in eight attempts), but the first since June 2007.

Gov. Riley: Biscuits his favorite "without question"

Gov. Bob Riley is in the house tonight, three days before he could take sides in the Biscuits' annual Auburn/Alabama Night.

"I guarantee we'll be supportive of Auburn and Alabama," said Riley, who sat at suite level with his wife and a niece and nephew who are visiting from out of state.

"We don't get out here nearly as much as we should," Riley said. "When we get here, we wonder why we don't do this more often."

Riley said the Biscuits are his favorite minor-league baseball team "without question" before realizing there are three other minor-league teams in his state. "Oh, wait a minute," he said. "It's one of my favorite teams."

Riley, skewered on this blog (here and here) for not following Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's Opening Day first-pitch lead, finally offered a defense. He joked he's missed out in consideration of the players.

"I don't want those guys to feel bad when I blow one across the plate at 95 miles per hour," he cracked.

(At right, Advertiser photo of Riley at the Hyundai plant last August.)

Rogers, Colome win Tampa Bay awards for July

Princeton outfielder Cody Rogers and Hudson Valley pitcher Alex Colome won Tampa Bay's minor-league awards for July.

Rogers hit .353 in 21 July games with 18 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Rogers, 20, was a seventh-round draft pick this year from an Texas junior college.

Colome, a right-hander, was 3-0 with a 1.15 ERA in six starts. In 31 1/3 innings, he allowed 13 hits, walked 12 and struck out 43. The 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic is in his third pro season.

Rays win title in Venezuela

Tampa Bay's team won the Venezuelan Summer League championship today, beating Pittsburgh's 8-2 in the third game of the best-of-3 series. Starter Eduar Quinonez pitched five no-hit innings, while Hector Guevara was 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a two-run home run in the ninth.

Braves swap starters after Tuesday rain

Riverwalk Stadium gets its first look at the top prospect in the minor leagues when the Biscuits host the Mississippi Braves tonight.

Outfielder Jason Heyward has a .405 average with 24 RBIs and 26 runs scored in 32 games with Mississippi. He's no longer a teenager having turned 20 on Sunday.

Due to a rainout Tuesday at Huntsville, Mississippi has adjusted its rotation for the series with the Biscuits. Right-hander Ryne Reynoso (6-7, 3.19 ERA) will start tonight's opener and lefty Scott Diamond, who was supposed to pitch tonight, will throw Thursday.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c
Cody Strait, rf
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Cipriano, 2b
J.T. Hall, lf
Brandon Chaves, ss
Rayner Oliveros, rhp

BRAVES
Matt Young, cf
Brandon Hicks, ss
Jason Heyward, rf
Freddie Freeman, 1b
Willie Cabrera, lf
Eric Campbell, 3b
Greg Creek, dh
Travis Jones, 2b
Phillip Britton, c
Ryne Reynoso, rhp

Two recent Rays DFAs claimed

John Meloan and R.J. Swindle, pitchers recently designated for assignment by the Rays have been claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians, respectively, according to the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Art appreciation


With today's break in the middle of the Biscuits' 10-game homestand, let us take a moment before the Mississippi Braves arrive in town Wednesday to ponder one of the art world's newest pressing questions.

Where will the Phillip Wellman bobbleheads rank among the world's great art?

The Mississippi Braves are giving away the Wellman bobbleheads later this month -- after the original giveaway day included a tad bit of rain. Of course, we'll ask Wellman to opine before Wednesday's series opener.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Downs to make Biscuits debut

It's East Bound and Darin Downs tonight when the Biscuits face the BayBears in the series finale at Riverwalk Stadium. Downs, after going 12-4 with a 2.00 ERA for high-Class A Charlotte, is making his Biscuits debut.

Biscuits shortstop Brandon Chaves is for a third straight game after Friday's ankle injury.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Jason Bowers, ss
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Cody Strait, rf
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Cipriano, 2b
J.T. Hall, lf
Matt Spring, c
Darin Downs, lhp

BAYBEARS
Evan Frey, cf
Chris Rahl, rf
Pedro Ciriaco, ss
Ricardo Sosa, 3b
Bryan Byrne, 1b
Cyle Hankerd, dh
Matt Tupman, c
Yunesky Sanchez, 2b
Pete Clifford, lf
Barry Enright, rhp

No lie: Braves' Heyward best in July

Mississippi outfielder Jason Heyward will have Player of the Month credentials when he comes to Riverwalk Stadium this week.

Heyward, who turned 20 on Sunday, won the Southern League's award for July, the league announced today. He hit a paltry .425 with a smattering of 19 RBIs and 17 runs scored last month.

Baseball America, in a midseason update to its prospect list, named Heyward the No. 1 prospect in the minor leagues.

League sprinkles Ortegano in awards mix

Mississippi pitcher Jose Ortegano, whose next scheduled start is at Riverwalk, won the Southern League's weekly award today.

Ortegano, who joined the M-Braves on July 28, allowed one earned run in 13 innings and won twice over the last week. That includes six shutout innings against the Biscuits.

Carolina third baseman Juan Francisco, with a 16-for-31, nine-run, nine-RBI week, won the hitting award.

Sunday, August 09, 2009

A-Rod puts hot streak on line vs. BayBears

The dog days of summer are here, though Rays catching coordinator Jamie Nelson is putting his pupils through their paces at the moment, 95 degrees or not. The fourth game of Montgomery's five-game series with Mobile is at 6:05 p.m.

Aneury Rodriguez will try to continue his hot pitching of late -- 3-0, 0.34 ERA in his last four starts -- against Mobile's Cody Evans. The two also rank among the league leaders in home runs allowed. Evans and teammate Matt Torra are tied for first with 21 gopher balls. Rodriguez is right behind them at 16.

Shortstop Brandon Chaves will miss a second straight game after hurting an ankle Friday.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c
Cody Strait, rf
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Cipriano, 2b
J.T. Hall, lf
Jason Bowers, ss
Aneury Rodriguez, rhp

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

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Mason shakes stick ... and makes contact

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is joy in Mudville - mighty Mason did NOT strike out.


Former Biscuits pitcher Chris Mason stepped to the plate for the first time as a professional Saturday. The biggest surprise is he didn't whiff.

Mason was 0-for-2 with a groundout to third and a flyout to right for the Binghamton Mets. His mighty cuts came against top Phillies prospect Kyle Drabek.

Rays grab Springer from Oakland

The Rays have claimed pitcher Russ Springer off waivers from Oakland and designated infielder Joe Dillon for assignment.

The Rays also reeled in left-handed reliever R.J. Swindle off waivers from Milwaukee and DFA'd Swindle.

The 40-year-old Springer had a 4.10 ERA in 48 appearances this season with 47 strikeouts and 14 walks. He has a 1.61 ERA in his last 25 games. Springer is a 17-year major-league veteran and the Rays will be his eighth team.

Dillon, 34, was 9-for-30 with two RBIs since moving up from Durham on May 26. Swindle, 26, was optioned to Triple-A Durham after being claimed and then designated for assignment. He made six appearances with the Brewers this year and had a 1.03 ERA in 43.2 innings at Triple-A Nashville.

Team autographs available 5:35-6:35

Tables are lined up for today's autograph day, tightly bunched down the warning track on the third-base side. Just arrived myself from Troy's football scrimmage/media day after finishing the baseball charts for Sunday's paper. Yada, yada, yada.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Cody Cipriano, 2b
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c
Matt Fields, 1b
Cody Strait, rf
Jason Bowers, ss
Pedro Powell, lf
Mike Wlodarczyk, lhp

BAYBEARS
Evan Frey, cf
Mark Hallberg, 2b
Pedro Ciriaco, ss
Orlando Mercado, c
Bryan Byrne, 1b
Cyle Hankerd, lf
Ricardo Sosa, 3b
Matt Tupman, dh
Chris Rahl, rf
Matt Torra, rhp

System check

Stats through Friday.

TRIPLE-A, DURHAM BULLS
International League South
(64-49, first place, 1 GA)
1B Rhyne Hughes is 23-for-43 during his current 13-game hitting streak. He has a .328 average.
CF Desmond Jennings is 6-for-19 with six runs scored in six games.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson gave up six runs on six hits in 4.2 innings Tuesday. He walked two and hit three batters.
RHP Wade Davis is 1-3 with a 5.17 ERA in his last five starts.
C John Jaso is hitting .249.

HIGH-CLASS A, CHARLOTTE STONE CRABS
Florida State League South

(21-20, second place, 1 GB)
LHP David Newmann, who threw seven shutout innings in his previous start, allowed two runs in 5.2 innings Thursday. He’s 6-6 with a 4.32 ERA.
RHP Jeremy Hall was 8-0 in his previous 10 starts until losing Friday. He allowed two runs in six innings for his fifth straight quality start. He’s 13-5 with a 3.60 ERA.
C Nevin Ashley is 6-for-18 in five games since rejoining the team.
LHP Jake McGee didn’t record an out and gave up five runs Wednesday.

LOW-CLASS A, BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
South Atlantic League Southern

(21-18, third place, 4 GB)
LHP Matt Moore won Thursday, allowing one hit in five innings. He struck out nine. Hitters have a .189 average and 141 strikeouts in Moore’s 100.2 innings.
SS Tim Beckham is hitting .272 with 58 RBIs. He has 26 doubles and 46 runs scored.
OF K.D. Kang is 13-for-32 in his 10-game hitting streak. He has a .283 average.
RHP Josh Satow has an 0.88 ERA in his last 21 appearances.

SHORT-SEASON A, HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
New York-Penn League McNamara

(24-25, third place, 7 GB)
RHP Alex Colome threw four shutout innings Monday, lowering his ERA to 1.60.
RHP Angel Chapa threw three no-hit innings Friday and four innings of one-hit ball Monday.
RHP Devin Fuller gave up two hits in five shutout innings Thursday and is 1-1 with a 4.18 ERA.
OF D.J. Jones is hitting .145.

ROOKIE, PRINCETON RAYS
Appalachian League East

(24-16, second place, 4 GB)
CF Cody Rogers, with an 0-for-4 game Friday, is hitting .322 with 24 runs scored and 22 RBIs in 30 games.
RHP Trevor Shull threw a seven-inning two-hitter Thursday and is 3-1 with a 3.63 ERA.

ROOKIE, GCL RAYS
Gulf Coast League South

(14-23, fifth place, 8 GB)
RHP Victor Mateo surrendered five earned runs in 5.1 innings Friday, which pushed his ERA from 0.98 to 1.93. He’s 3-4.
LHP Jacob Partridge threw four shutout innings last Sunday. In 16.2 innings, he’s allowed 11 hits, walked two and struck out 20.

WAYWARD BISCUITS
Those who strayed from the Rays

1B Gabriel Martinez is hitting .309 in 14 games for Double-A Chattanooga (Dodgers) since returning from the disabled list with a broken hand.
RF Elijah Dukes had four RBIs Thursday and three Friday for the Washington Nationals. Dukes, who returned to the majors last weekend, is hitting .248 with 39 RBIs in 64 major-league games this year.
C Iker Franco has a .316 average and two home runs in the playoffs for Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. He hit .273 with 16 homers in the regular season.
RHP Jason Hammel snapped a six-start winless streak Tuesday with the Colorado Rockies. He improved to 6-6 with a 4.62 ERA.
RHP Willie Glen picked up his first win for Triple-A New Orleans (Marlins) on Tuesday, allowing one run in five innings.
LF Delmon Young is hitting .265 with three homers for the Minnesota Twins.
RHP Jose Diaz is 3-1 with 10 saves and a 3.76 ERA at Double-A Frisco (Rangers).
RHP Marcos Carvajal finished 0-2 with three saves and a 3.71 ERA with Oaxaca of the Mexican League.

Michel Hernandez out to make space for Zaun

Catcher Michel Hernandez was designated for assignment after Tampa Bay's loss at Seattle tonight to create a roster spot for newly acquired catcher Gregg Zaun. Hernandez was hitting .242 in 35 games.

Also, Biscuits shortstop Brandon Chaves is day-to-day after hurting his right ankle late in Montgomery's victory over Mobile.

Friday, August 07, 2009

City coffers stuffed with Biscuit dough

The Biscuits, smelling good with a four-game win streak, face the BayBears again tonight with Cody Cipriano hitting second for the first time.

The Biscuits dropped some hefty coin into the city's lap this week when they paid $110,643.55 for the quarterly rent payment that covers April, May and June. That pushes the 2009 fiscal year total to $270,276.21.

If you remember, the city and team renegotiated the terms of the lease before the season. The team took over control of the scoreboard maintenance (and eventual cost of replacement) in exchange for lower percentages. Under the old numbers, this quarter's payment would have been $234,023.79.

If I may suggest a postgame entertainment option, the Rays and Mariners play at 9 tonight and here's one wish that Dreamland is showing it. Jeff Niemann is starting for Tampa Bay.

Lineups ...
BISCUITS
Rashad Eldridge, cf
Cody Cipriano, 2b
Fernando Cortez, dh
Chris Nowak, 3b
Jose Lobaton, c -- home debut
Cody Strait, rf
J.T. Hall, lf
Matt Spring, 1b
Brandon Chaves, ss
Brian Baker, rhp

BAYBEARS
Evan Frey, cf
Mark Hallberg, 2b
Pedro Ciriaco, ss
Orlando Mercado, dh
Bryan Byrne, 1b
Cyle Hankerd, lf
Ricardo Sosa, 3b
Matt Tupman, c
Chris Rahl, rf

Wes Roemer, rhp

5:20: Left-hander Mike Wlodarczyk will start Saturday's Johnny Wholestaff game. The Biscuits need a spot starter with Darin Downs in and Heath Rollins going to the pen.