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.

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