Sunday, June 21, 2009

Montgomery Biscuits Split Doubleheader With West Tenn Diamond Jaxx

Montgomery Biscuits[Via email from the Montgomery Biscuits' broadcaster Jon Laaser.]

The Biscuits earned a 4-3 win in game one, but fell late in game two, 2-1, as West Tenn earned a split of a doubleheader on Saturday night at Pringles Park. With their win in game one, the Biscuits claimed the series win and finished the first half 33-37.

Game One: The Biscuits capitalized on three unearned runs to best West Tenn, 4-3, in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday night at Pringles Park.

The Biscuits got out quickly in game one, plating a run off Jaxx starter Justin Souza in the first inning. With one out, Brandon Chaves singled and advanced to third when Fernando Cortez flared a single behind him. Matt Fields was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Cesar Suarez sent a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate Chaves for a 1-0 lead.

The Jaxx responded in the bottom of the inning as Marshall Hubbard cracked a one-out broken-bat single off of Biscuits' starter Aneury Rodrigeuz. Colt Morton then belted a two-run home run on a 2-2 pitch to left-center field, pulling the Jaxx ahead for the first time, 2-1.

Montgomery grabbed the lead back with a pair of unearned runs off Souza in the fourth. Suarez started the inning with a single and Dave Espinosa misplayed a potential double-play ball to put two aboard. Souza hit Nevin Ashley to load the bases and Jason Bowers walked to bring home the game-tying run. A batter later, Desmond Jennings gave the Biscuits the lead back at 3-2 with a ground out.

Rodriguez surrendered the lead in the fifth. Mel Stocker singled with two outs and stole second base despite a pitch-out from the Biscuits. He scored to tie the game, 3-3, when Ezequiel Carrera singled to right field.

Neither starter factored in the decision, as Souza departed after four innings and Rodriguez left after five. Souza surrendered three runs -- one earned -- while all three were earned against Rodriguez.

Reliever Phillippe Aumont literally handed the Biscuits the lead and the eventual game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning. Making his Double-A debut, Aumont threw away a bunt attempt from Jennings, allowing him all the way to second base to lead off the inning. Jennings promptly stole third base and scored the decisive run on a ground out from Fernando Cortez. Aumont (0-1) was tagged with his first loss of the season.

Paul Phillips (2-0) earned his second win and slammed the door, following up a perfect sixth inning with a 1-2-3 ninth to secure the 4-3 win for Montgomery.

Game Two: West Tenn came from behind with two runs in the sixth inning to upend the Biscuits, 2-1, in game two, splitting the doubleheader at Pringles Park.

A trend from game one continued to game two, as the Biscuits cashed in a West Tenn for the game's first run. Jennings reached on that error and stole second base. Chaves scored him with an RBI single off of starter Steven Shell and the Biscuits led, 1-0.

Both starters departed after five innings. Shell left after allowing just two hits and one unearned run. Brian Baker (4-1) turned in five more scoreless innings, limiting the Jaxx to four singles.

The Biscuits maintained their 1-0 lead into the sixth inning, when Mike Wlodarczyk entered and Hubbard greeted him with a double. Wlodarczyk then walked Morton and the pair advanced on a ground out. The Biscuits elected to walk Espinosa to load the bases and brought Eddie Morlan in from the bullpen. Yamid Haad ripped a single to left field to tie the game and Morlan walked Oswaldo Navarro to give the Jaxx a 2-1 lead.

Ricky Orta then mowed down the Biscuits in order in the seventh for his first save of the season. Nick Hill (1-3) had worked a perfect sixth and earned the win, his first of the year. Wlodarczyk (0-2) took the loss for the Biscuits.

The Biscuits enjoy an off day at the conclusion of the first half on Sunday. They open the second half with game one of a six-game series against the Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs) at 7:05 PM on Monday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

No comments:

Post a Comment