Bowling Green Hot Rods Beat Rome Braves 5-0

[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]

Jake Jefferies homered in the top of the first inning to spark the Hot Rods to a 5-0 win over the Rome Braves (2-6, 37-41) on Thursday night at State Mutual Stadium. Jefferies’ homer provided early run support for starting pitcher Nick Barnese (W; 3-1) who worked six scoreless innings to give the Hot Rods (5-2, 39-38) their fourth straight win over the Braves. The victory guarantees the Hot Rods will maintain at least a share of first place in the Southern Division heading into the series finale with the Braves on Friday night.

For the third time this series the Hot Rods opened the scoring first thanks to Jefferies homer in the top of the first inning. With two down he belted one to deep right field for his fifth home run of the season, since May 18 against Charleston, a span covering 132 at-bats. He picked up his 40th RBI on the play to give the Hot Rods a 1-0 lead.

In the second they added three more runs to break the game open. John Mollicone started the rally delivering a lead-off single to center field for his sixth hit of the series. Two batters later he moved to third on a single by Jason Tweedy, who ended up at second base when the Braves tried to catch Mollicone at third. With runners at second and third Robi Estrada hit a ground ball that was misplayed by shortstop Ryan Barba, plating Mollicone and Tweedy to give the Hot Rods a 3-0 lead. Estrada scored two batters later on a triple by Tim Beckham, who picked up his 42nd RBI on the play. Beckham now has 14 RBI against the Braves, 12 of those coming in Rome in just seven games.

The early run support made it easy for Nick Barnese. He threw six shutout frames, allowing just two hits to the Rome offense. He walked three, just the second outing in which he’s issued a free pass this season. He struck out three batters and didn’t allow a runner past second base. In fact, he allowed just one base runner over the final three innings, eventually retiring that base runner on a double play.

The Hot Rod scored an insurance run in the fourth inning when Estrada singled, stole second base, and came around on an RBI single by Anthony Scelfo. Estrada finished the game with two hits, as did Tweedy, Mollicone, and Jefferies. Scelfo extended his hitting streak to four games with the run-scoring single, picking up his fifth RBI of the road trip. Kyeong Kang also extended his hitting streak to a season-high six games with a first inning single.

Once Barnese left after six, the Hot Rods bullpen didn’t miss a beat. Tyree Hayes (seventh), Chris Andujar (eighth), and Josh Satow (ninth) pitched three hitless innings, allowing only one base runner, to preserve the Hot Rods third shutout of the season.

The Hot Rods will go for their second sweep of the season in the series finale against Rome on Friday night. LHP Matt Moore (4-3, 3.14) gets the ball against Rome RHP J.J. Hoover (3-2, 3.06). You can follow the action from Georgia with Tom Gauthier on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com. Coverage begins at 5:45 PM CDT with first pitch coming at 6:00 PM CDT.

The Hot Rods begin their next home stand against the Augusta GreenJackets on July 4 with postgame fireworks presented by WBKO. For tickets and a complete list of promotions, visit www.bghotrods.com or stop by the Hot Rods ticket office at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Hudson Valley Renegades Game Postponed

Details from the Hudson Valley Renegades website:

Tonight’s game vs. the Vermont Lake Monsters has been postponed until tomorrow due to field condition caused by the excess rain over the past two days.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader starting tomorrow night at 5 p.m. with the second game starting 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Both games will be of the seven inning variety.

Fans with tickets to tonight’s game can redeem their ticket for one of equal or lesser value to any game based on availability.

Also fans that have tickets for Friday night’s game will be allowed to enter the stadium at 3:30 to watch both games of the doubleheader.

Trade: Winston Abreu To Cleveland For John Meloan

Anthony Castrovince has the news at MLB.com:

On Thursday, the club acquired right-hander Winston Abreu from the Rays in exchange for right-handed relief prospect John Meloan. Abreu will join the Tribe's bullpen in the coming days, with a corresponding roster move to be announced at that time.
...
Meloan was a power arm acquired in the trade that sent Casey Blake to the Dodgers last season, and he was converted to relief work. Meloan's posted a 5.52 ERA in 25 appearances this season and has been passed over on multiple bullpen callups.

I hear the Rays are also receiving cash in the deal. Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider ranked Meloan as the Indians #14 prospect:

Meloan throws a fastball that tops out around 94-95 MPH, and he complements it with a nasty slider that is an out pitch. He also throws a cutter, changeup and curveball which are all good pitches, but are more show-me pitches to set up his fastball and slider. In addition to his talent, one of the big selling points for Meloan is how much of a competitor he is on the mound and his off the charts makeup. With his pitching repertoire to go along with his makeup and composure Meloan has the makings of a dominant backend reliever down the road, perhaps even a closer.

GCL Rays postponed due to rain

Today's game between the Gulf Coast League Rays and the GCL Reds has been postponed due to wet grounds at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The game will be made up at a later date, although the date has not yet been announced.

The Road Ahead: The Rays travel to Fort Myers to play the GCL Twins tomorrow in a 12:00 matchup.

Reid Brignac Elected To International League All-Star Team

[Via email from the Durham Bulls Director of Media Relations Matt DeMargel.]

The Durham Bulls today announced infielder Reid Brignac was elected to the 2009 International League All-Star team. Brignac, Durham’s only representative, is making his second consecutive appearance at the midsummer classic after earning a spot in 2008.

“I’m honored to be going back and representing the Bulls and the Tampa Bay Rays,” Brignac said. “I look forward to the chance to play with the league’s best.”

The 23-year-old earned a spot on this year’s IL All-Star team after batting .294 during the first half of the season, with 18 doubles and 21 RBIs. All of this despite spending 27 days in the majors with Tampa Bay. Brignac entered 2009 as the No. 4 prospect in the Rays’ organization according to Baseball America.

Brignac joins 27 other standouts from the IL as they take on the All-Stars from the Pacific Coast League in the 22nd annual Triple-A All-Star Game, slated for July 15 in Portland, Oregon. The Louisiana native is one of eight members on the IL squad making a return trip. The team is also made up of several of baseball’s top prospects including Brignac, Clay Buchholz (Pawtucket), Austin Jackson (Scranton/WB), Chris Tillman (Norfolk), Drew Stubbs (Louisville), and Anthony Swarzak (Rochester).

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. pacific daylight time and can be seen live on ESPN2.

Albert Suarez To Have Tommy John Surgery

The bad news on RHSP Albert Suarez from Sean T. McMann of the Poughkeepsie Journal (see page 2):

Renegades pitcher Albert Suarez will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair his injured right elbow. Suarez traveled to Florida on Tuesday to have his injury evaluated and the team soon received the news.

"He is not going to make it back this season," [Hudson Valley Renegades manager Brady] Williams said. "It hurts a little bit, but we wish him a well recovery so he can come back whenever his time is to come back and get after it again."

Suarez (1-0, 2.79 ERA) injured that pitching elbow in Staten Island on June 25, making his second start of the season. He picked up the Opening Night win against Aberdeen.

7/2: Today's Games

Durham Bulls vs. Charlotte Knights 7:05 EDT
Starting for Durham: RHP Andy Sonnanstine 0-0 0.00
Notes: Sonnanstine makes his first start for Durham since being sent down...

Montgomery Biscuits at Jacksonville Suns 7:05 EDT
Starting for Montgomery: RHP Brian Baker 4-1 3.13
Notes:

Charlotte Stone Crabs doubleheader vs. Brevard County Manatees 5:05 EDT
Starting for Charlotte: RHP Jesse Darcy 2-6 5.32 & LHP David Newmann 3-3 3.27
Notes:

Bowling Green Hot Rods at Rome Braves 7:00 EDT
Starting for Bowling Green: RHP Nick Barnese 2-1 1.64
Notes:

Hudson Valley Renegades vs. Vermont Lake Monsters 7:05 EDT
Starting for Hudson Valley: RHP Alexander Colome 1-1 3.72
Notes:

Princeton Rays at Danville Braves 7:00 EDT
Starting for Princeton: LHP Julius Dettrich 0-1 3.60
Notes:

GCL Rays vs. GCL Reds 12:00 EDT
Starting for GCL Rays:
Notes:

7/2: The Rundown

Durham Bulls off
Notes: Durham plays the Charlotte Knights today...

Jacksonville Suns 7, Montgomery Biscuits 6 (12 innings)
Box | Recap
Notes: Montgomery fell to 5-5... Desmond Jennings tied the game with a single with two outs in the top of the 10th to send it to extra innings, where the two teams remained scoreless until Lorenzo Scott hit a walk-off homerun to lead off the bottom of the 12th... Aneury Rodriguez started and allowed 4 runs(3 earned) in 6 innings of work. Ryan Reid allowed two more runs in just a third of an inning. Eduardo Morlan got the loss for allowing the Scott blast... Desmond Jennings went 3-6 with a double... Fernando Cortez hit his 5th homerun...

Charlotte Stone Crabs rained out
Notes: Charlotte and Brevard County will try again tomorrow...

Bowling Green Hot Rods 6, Rome Braves 1
Box | Recap
Notes: Bowling Green improved to 4-2... John Mollicone stayed hot, hitting a grand-slam as part of a 6-run 4th inning for the Hot Rods... Tim Beckham went 1-4 with an RBI double. He also committed his 27th error... Frank De Los Santos shut down the Braves bats, allowing just a run on six hits in 8 innings. He did not strike out a batter...

Vermont Lake Monsters 8, Hudson Valley Renegades 2
Box | Recap
Notes: Hudson Valley fell to 4-8... Kyle Lobstein started after a lengthy rain delay, and battled for four innings. He allowed 1 run on 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3... Doug Salinas and Richard De Los Santos combined to cough up six earned runs in 4.1 relief innings... Brett Nommensen went 2-4...

Greeneville Astros 5, Princeton Rays 3
Box | Recap
Notes: Princeton fell to 5-4... Trevor Shull turned in another solid start, yielding two runs(one earned) on 5 hits in 5 innings. He struck out 4, walked two, and posted 9-2 groundout-flyout rate for the second straight start... Joey Callender got the loss, but both runs charged to him were unearned... Zach Rosscup made his debut, allowing a run on 3 hits in one inning... Cody Rogers, Dan Rhault, and Alejandro Torres had two hits apiece...

GCL Rays 2, GCL Orioles 1
Box | Recap
Notes: The GCL Rays improved to 3-4... Brad Furdal got the win thanks to 5 shutout innings. He 4 hits and a walk, and struck out 5... Jose Molina pitched three shutout relief innings... The offense had just three hits...

Up
Montgomery Biscuits - OF Desmond Jennings: He had a very rough month of June, but he got July started in style with a three-hit night.

Bowling Green Hot Rods - DH John Mollicone: 1-3 with a grand slam, his 3rd homerun in 2 games.

Hudson Valley Renegades - OF Brett Nommensen: The only 'Gade to pick up multiple hits.

Princeton Rays - RHP Trevor Shull: 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 9-2 groundout-flyout ratio.

GCL Rays - RHP Brad Furdal: 5 shutout innings to go with 5 strikeouts and an 8-1 GO-FO rate.

Down
Montgomery Biscuits - RHP Ryan Reid: Allowed two runs in just 0.1 innings of work.

Bowling Green Hot Rods - 1B Mike Sheridan: 0-3 with two strikeouts, through he did draw a walk.

Hudson Valley Renegades - OF Chris Murrill: The golden sombrero; 0-5 with four strikeouts.

Princeton Rays - Defense: Five errors(Rogers, Glynn, Glynn, Novas, Bryles)

GCL Rays - Offense: 3 hits. The team has a .177 batting average on the year.

Montgomery Biscuits Lose 7-6 To Jacksonville Suns In 12

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

The Jacksonville Suns skipped off winners on Wednesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville as Lorenzo Scott broke a 6-6 tie with a solo-home run to leadoff the 12th inning, giving the Suns a 7-6 win.

Scott, facing Eddie Morlan cracked the first pitch of the inning on a low-flying line into the bleachers in right field to provide the game-winner for the Suns. The home run was the fourth for the Suns in the ballgame, the most the Biscuits have surrendered thus far this season in a single ballgame. Morlan (3-4) took the loss for Montgomery, as Jacksonville also iced the season-series win over the Biscuits with their 11th victory of the season against Montgomery.

A.J. Battisto (1-0), making his first appearance for the Suns, pitched a scoreless top of the 12th inning and was the winner for Jacksonville.

Desmond Jennings sparked the Biscuits as they opened the scoring in the first inning for the third straight night. Jennings doubled off Cristhian Martinez and a batter later Rashad Eldridge doubled down the right field line to give the Biscuits a 1-0 lead.

The Biscuits promptly lost the lead in the bottom of the inning as Aneury Rodriguez conceded back-to-back solo-home runs to put Jacksonville in front, 2-1. Top prospects Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton each homered to right, and opposite-field blast for the right-handed Stanton. Stanton's home run was originally ruled as a double until argued by Suns' manager Brandon Hyde and overturned by third base umpire Craig Barron.

Jason Bowers triggered a three-run inning as the Biscuits reclaimed the lead against Martinez, 4-2. Bowers doubled, and two batters later Eldridge tied the game with an RBI single. Fernando Cortez followed with a two-run home run to right field to pull the Biscuits back in front. It marked the fifth home run of the season for Cortez, three of which have wound up in the bleachers at the Baseball Grounds.

The Suns received an unearned run on an error on Nevin Ashley in the third inning, but the Biscuits got the run back when Eldridge drove in his third run of the night with a sacrifice fly to score Bowers off of Martinez in the fifth inning and the Biscuits led, 5-3.

Stanton stepped in against Rodriguez again in the sixth inning, and this time without controversy he delivered a majestic solo-home run to left-center field that trimmed the Biscuits lead to one run at 5-4. Stanton's second home run of the ballgame was also his fifth of the season.

Rodriguez departed after six innings, the three home runs he conceded giving him the league-lead for home runs allowed with 14. However outside of those mistakes, he pitched solidly, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on four hits. He struck out six and walked one. He did not factor in the decision.

The Suns pulled ahead with two runs in the seventh. Ryan Reid entered for Rodriguez and conceded a leadoff single to Ryan Klosterman. A batter leader Bryan Petersen put runners at second and third with one out by doubling to left field. The Biscuits called on Mike Wlodarczyk, but Scott sent a sacrifice fly to centerfield to tie the game, 5-5. The Suns took the lead when Morrison singled back up the middle to plate Petersen for a 6-5 lead. Both runs were charged to Reid.

The Southern League's leading closer, Matt Peterson, got the call in the ninth. He blew his second save of the series as the Biscuits survived being pushed to their final strike. Peterson struck out Fields and pinch-hitting J.T. Hall for the first two outs of the inning. Peterson then got up two strikes on Ashley before hitting him with a fastball to extend the ballgame. Drew Anderson, who entered for Jason Bowers when Bowers went down with an apparent injury in the seventh inning, then batted for the first time and cranked a single to right field that moved Ashley to third base. Jennings rolled a ball softly toward third base and beat the throw from Mitchell as Ashley scored to tie the game, 6-6.

Game five of the series is scheduled for 6:05 PM on Thursday night at the Baseball Grounds. RHP Brian Baker (4-1, 3.13) will make the start for the Biscuits against RHP Nic Ungs (4-1, 1.50) for Jacksonville.

Bowling Green Hot Rods Beat Rome Braves 6-1

[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]

One night after delivering the first multi-homer game for the Hot Rods, John Mollicone hit his first career grand slam, and the second in Hot Rods history, to lead his team to a 6-1 win over the Rome Braves (37-40) on Wednesday night. Mollicone now has two homers in the first two games of the series, guiding the Hot Rods to a 4-2 start to the second half of the season.

The big blast came as part of a six-run 5th inning for against Rome starter Dimasther Delgado (1-2). Anthony Scelfo began the inning reaching on an error by second baseman Joel Campusano, and the inning seemed to unravel from there. Tim Beckham followed with a chopped double down the third base line, scoring Scelfo for his third RBI of the series. Jake Jefferies followed with a single to leave runners at first and third. With Kyeong Kang batting, a passed ball eluded catcher Matt Kennelly, scoring Beckham and moving Jefferies to third. Kang eventually walked before he and Jefferies advanced ninety feet each on a sacrifice bunt from Isaias Velasquez. That was followed up by a walk to Mike Sheridan, allowing Mollicone to deposit his grand slam over the Braves bullpen in left field for a 6-0 Hot Rods lead.

In two games of the series, Mollicone has five hits, extending his hitting streak three games. He has three homers against the Braves and has driven in eight runs, bumping his season total to 13.

That one inning provided all the offense generated by either team on Wednesday night. The Braves were shut down by Frank De Los Santos (W; 4-6), who won for the first time since May 16 and the first time in three starts against Rome. After an 0-3 June, De Los Santos worked a career-high eight innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He didn’t record a strikeout but had the ground ball working, recording 18 ground-ball outs.

After the Hot Rods put up four in the fourth, Delgado and the Braves bullpen shut down the Bowling Green offense the rest of the game. Delgado retired the final 11 he faced after the grand slam while Matthew Small allowed just one base runner, a lead-off single to Kang in the ninth, which extended Kang’s hitting streak to five games.

The Hot Rods have won the first two games of this series and will go for the series victory in game three on Thursday night. The Hot Rods will send RHP Nick Barnese (2-1, 1.64) to the mound against Rome’s Zeke Spruill (7-3, 3.18). You can follow the action from Georgia with Tom Gauthier on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com. Coverage begins at 5:45 PM CDT with first pitch coming at 6:00 PM CDT.

The Hot Rods begin their next home stand against the Augusta GreenJackets on July 4 with postgame fireworks presented by WBKO. For tickets and a complete list of promotions, visit www.bghotrods.com or stop by the Hot Rods ticket office at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Stone Crabs Doubleheader Postponed Due To Heavy Rains

Press Release: The doubleheader between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Brevard County Manatees scheduled for 5:00 p.m. tonight has been postponed due to heavy rains in the area. The game will be made up tomorrow as part of a doubleheader starting at 5:00 p.m. with gates opening at 4:00 p.m.

Charlotte and Brevard County will play a pair of seven-inning games tomorrow with the first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m. A 30-minute interval will follow the end of the first game before the second game begins. Tomorrow’s game also features discount beer specials as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by The Ice House Pub. Fans can enjoy $1 domestic drafts and $2 domestic bottles till 8:30 p.m.

Those who had tickets for tonight's game are eligible to exchange their tickets for any other Stone Crabs 2009 regular season game, including tomorrow's doubleheader, subject to availability.

A ticket for tomorrow is good for both games of the doubleheader, and seats are still available starting at just $6 at the Charlotte Sports Park box office, on the phone at 941-206-HITS or online at stonecrabsbaseball.com.

GCL Rays clip Orioles, 2-1

The Game: Thanks to two first inning runs, the GCL Rays improved to 4-3 with a 2-1 victory over the visiting GCL Orioles. Brad Furdal (1-0, 2.35) was the winning pitcher and Elvin Perez picked up his third save of the season.

Furdal pitched 5 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk, striking out 5. Jose Molina took over for Furdal, pitching 3 scoreless innings, only allowing 1 hit. Luis Yendis got the first two outs of the ninth, allowing a run to score. Perez came on and got Xavier Lopez to fly out to Ruben Contreras to end the game, leaving the tying run at third base.

Catcher Geraldo Olivares and designated hitter Travis Simas (pictured) drove in the runs for the Rays. The Rays once again struggled to garner extra base hits, with Simas and Ruben Contreras getting the only two of the game on doubles. Both of the Rays runs were unearned to Orioles starter Eiri Ramirez, who only allowed the two unearned runs in 7 innings of work. His defense didn't help him, commiting 4 errors. The Rays didn't commit an error.

What Went Right: DH Travis Simas was 1-2 with a double and an RBI. Brad Furdal threw 5 shutout innings, striking out 5. Jose Molina pitched 3 innings of scoreless relief and only allowed 1 hit.

What Went Wrong: LF Hunter Pace was 0-4 with a strikeout. 2B Felix Gonzalez was 0-3 with 2 K's. Relief pitcher Luis Yendis lost the shutout for the Rays and struggled thru 0.2 innings of work, allowing a hit and 2 walks and 1 earned run.

The Road Ahead: The Rays will play the GCL Reds on the road tomorrow in Sarasota. Victor Mateo (1-0, 1.80) is the probable starter for the Rays, although you can never guarantee anything in the GCL.

Princeton Rays Lose 5-3 To Greeneville Astros

The Princeton Rays lost 5-3 to the Greeneville Astros this afternoon before a crowd of 937 at Hunnicutt Field. Defense was the key to the game. Only 2 of the 5 runs the Rays allowed were earned thanks to 5 errors, all fielding.

All of Princeton's runs came in the bottom of the second. With one out, DH Alejandro Torres singled to left and 3B Geno Glynn walked, bringing P-Rays catcher David Wendt to the plate. Wendt, our 50th round draft pick last month, doubled to left, scoring Torres and Glynn. Shortstop Daniel Rhault then doubled to left to score Wendt for the final run of the day.

Trevor Shull started for the Rays and went 5.0 innings, allowing 2 runs (only one earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. His season ERA is now 0.90. Converted infielder Joey Callender came on in the 6th and was saddled with the loss despite allowing no earned runs. In 3.0 innings he allowed 2 unearned runs on 4 hits with 2 strikeouts. Lefty Zachary Rosscup made his organizational debut in the 9th allowing one run (earned) on 3 hits.

Notes: P-Rays Manager Jared Sandberg was ejected by the 1B umpire in the 8th.

Up next: The Rays will visit the Appy East leading Danville Braves tomorrow night at 7 with lefthander Julius Dettrich scheduled to start.

Bad News: Albert Suarez' Elbow, Daniel April Retires

Sean T. McMann of the Poughkeepsie Journal has an update on RHSP Albert Suarez:

Less than two weeks after taking the mound in the season opener, Hudson Valley Renegades pitcher Albert Suarez will fly to Tampa, Fla., today to have his injured right elbow examined.

"Hopefully things come up negative, and he come back up here," Renegades manager Brady Williams said of Suarez, who went 0-2 with the rookie-level Princeton (W. Va.) Rays last season before making his Hudson Valley debut.

At the end of his 4 2/3 innings of work at Staten Island on June 25, Suarez experienced pain in his pitching elbow.

"He felt something in there," Williams said, "and we had to take him out."

McMann also reports (see page 2) that LHRP Daniel April has retired:

Fellow hurler Daniel April, who struck out a batter and gave up one hit in 1 1/3 innings of relief with the Renegades, has retired; the Tampa Bay Rays drafted April in this year's 39th round.

FYI, MiLB still has him as 'active'.

Who's Advising Rays Draft Picks

Here are the "advisers"(really de facto agents) for the Rays top 10 draft picks, courtesy of BaseballAmerica:
1. LeVon Washington - Scott Boras Corporation
2. Kenny Diekroeger - Not listed
3. Todd Glaesmann - Select Sports Group (Gavin Wright)
4. Luke Bailey - Jet Sports Management
5. Jeff Malm - Wasserman Sports Group (Rich Aude)
6. Devin Fuller - None
7. Cody Rogers - Not listed
8. Brett Nommensen - None
9. Kevin James - Drana Group (Stefano Bando)
10. Derek Dennis - Frontline Athlete Management (Darek Braunecker)

Omar David Bencomo

Ben Meyer at MiLB.com has this on Omar Bencomo from last night:

Omar Bencomo picked up his first victory of the season for the Rays, allowing two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. Bencomo racked up seven strikeouts on the way to lowering his season ERA to 3.86. The right-hander mixed a fastball that touched the 90 mph mark with a devastating curveball in the 70s to stifle the Astros offense through the first five innings. He was pulled by manager Jared Sandberg with two on in the sixth in accordance with his strict pitch count.

He now has 13 strikeouts and 2 walks in 11.2 innings. Last year for the VSL Rays he had 55 strikeouts and 3 walks in 60.2 innings.

The Princeton starting rotation of Jason McEachern, Wilking Rodriguez, Bencomo, Trevor Shull, and Julius Dettrich should keep the P-Rays at the top of the Appy East all summer.

Biscuits Players Promote Youth Reading With 3 Library Appearances

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

The Montgomery Biscuits are extremely pleased to usher in Biscuits Reading Month, which will be celebrated throughout the entire month of July. Biscuits Reading Month will include three visits to local libraries by Biscuits' players and mascot Big Mo.

During each visit, two Biscuits' players will read baseball-themed books to children, instilling the message that reading plays an integral part in the development of an education both in baseball and beyond. Big Mo will accompany the players to each library visit, and all three will be available for autographs and pictures following the reading.

"Our players love taking part in Reading Month," said Biscuits' Community Relations Coordinator April Catarella. "Kids want to be just like their heroes, and when they see them enthusiastically reading books, the results can be life-changing."

The three visits scheduled for Biscuits Reading Month are as follows:

Tuesday, July 7th - Juliet Hampton Morgan Memorial Library - Montgomery (Downtown) - 10 am
Friday, July 17th - Wetumpka Public Library - Wetumpka - 10 am
Wednesday, July 29th - Autuaga-Prattville Public Library System - Doster Community Center - Prattville - 10 am

The Biscuits return to Riverwalk Stadium to open a four-game series with the Birmingham Barons as they celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 4th. The July 4th game is scheduled for 7:05 PM and will feature a double Max Fireworks Spectacular. Tickets for all games in the series can be obtained by visiting the Biscuits Box Office at Riverwalk Stadium, logging on to BiscuitsBaseball.com or calling the Biscuits at (334) 323-2255.

7/1: Today's Games

Durham Bulls off
Notes: Durham hosts Charlotte tomorrow...

Montgomery Biscuits at Jacksonville Suns 7:05 EDT
Starting for Montgomery: RHP Aneury Rodriguez 4-8 6.27
Notes:

Charlotte Stone Crabs doubleheader vs. Brevard County Manatees 5:05 EDT
Starting for Charlotte: RHP Jesse Darcy 2-6 5.32 & LHP David Newmann 3-3 3.27
Notes:

Bowling Green Hot Rods at Rome Braves 7:00 EDT
Starting for Bowling Green: RHP Frank De Los Santos 3-6 4.19
Notes:

Hudson Valley Renegades vs. Vermont Lake Monsters 7:05 EDT
Starting for Hudson Valley: LHP Kyle Lobstein 0-1 4.32
Notes:

Princeton Rays vs. Greeneville Astros 12:00 EDT
Starting for Princeton: RHP Trevor Shull 0-0 1.00
Notes:

GCL Rays vs. GCL Orioles 12:00 EDT
Starting for GCL Rays:
Notes:

7/1: The Rundown

Durham Bulls 9, Columbus Clippers 6
Box | Recap
Notes: Durham improved to 45-34... Carlos Hernandez scattered two runs and five hits over 6 innings... Matt Joyce had a big day at the plate, going 4 for 5 with two doubles and a homerun... Jon Weber, Justin Ruggiano, Rhyne Hughes, John Jaso, and Chris Nowak all had two hits... Weber, Hughes, and Nowak each homered... Reid Brignac went 0-5 and made an error...

Montgomery Biscuits 5, Jacksonville Suns 1
Box | Recap
Notes: Montgomery improved to 5-4... Heath Rollins got the win, allowing just a run on seven hits in 8 innings. he struck out 5 and didn't walk any... Brandon Chaves, Cesar Suarez, Matt Fields, and Jason Bowers all had multiple hits... Nevin Ashley went 1-1 and walked three times... Desmond Jennings was 0-5...

Charlotte Stone Crabs rained out
Notes: Charlotte and Brevard County will play two tomorrow...

Bowling Green Hot Rods 10, Rome Braves 6
Box | Recap
Notes: Bowling Green improved to 3-2... Joseph Cruz allowed only 1 run in 6 innings, striking out four and walking none... John Mollicone had a monster game, going 4-5 with two doubles and two homeruns... Tim Beckham went 2-5 with a homerun... Kyeong Kang was 2-4 with a double and three RBIs...

Brooklyn Cyclones 3, Hudson Valley Renegades 1
Box | Recap
Notes: Hudson Valley fell to 4-7... Kyle Ayers made the start and went 4.1 innings, allowing all three runs(two earned)... Mark Thomas went 3-4... Tyler Bortnick and Brett Nommensen each picked up two hits... Eli Sonoqui had the only 'Gades RBI...

Princeton Rays 6, Greeneville Astros 3
Box | Recap
Notes: Princeton improved to 5-3... Omar Bencomo got the win, allowing three runs(two earned) in 5.2 innings. He struck out 7 and walked 2... 2009 11th-round draft pick Alex Koronis made his debut, striking out 3 in 1.1 hitless innings to earn the save... Ty Morrison hit his first professional homerun, a 3-run shot in the 2nd inning... Ryan Wiegand doubled twice and drove in two...

GCL Rays 5, GCL Red Sox 3
Box | Recap
Notes: The GCL Rays improved to 2-4... Jake McGee started and didn't allow a baserunner in two innings. He struck out 5... Enny Romero got the win with three scoreless innings... Christian Vazquez went 3-5... Five different players drove in a run...

Up
Durham Bulls - OF Matt Joyce: 4-5 with two doubles and a homerun.

Montgomery Biscuits - RHP Heath Rollins: Just one run allowed in 8 innings.

Bowling Green Hot Rods - DH John Mollicone: 4 for 5 with two doubles and two homeruns.

Hudson Valley Renegades - DH Mark Thomas: 3-4 with a double.

Princeton Rays - OF Ty Morrison: 1-4, the one being a 3-run homerun.

GCL Rays - LHP Jake McGee: This start went a lot better than the first, striking out 5 and not allowing a baserunner in 2 innings.

Down
Durham Bulls - SS Reid Brignac: 0-5 at the plate and an error in the field.

Montgomery Biscuits - OF Desmond Jennings: 0-5.

Bowling Green Hot Rods - 1B Mike Sheridan: 0-5.

Hudson Valley Renegades - 3B Burt Reynolds: 0-4 with three strikeouts.

Princeton Rays - 3B Julio Cedeno: 0-3 with two strikeouts.

GCL Rays - 1B Hector Gomez: 0-5.

Charlotte Stone Crabs game against Brevard County rained out

The Game: Tuesday’s game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Brevard County Manatees was postponed due to wet field conditions from heavy rains that have fallen over Southwest Florida. The game will be played as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Charlotte Sports Park.

What Went Right: n/a

What Went Wrong: n/a

A Look Ahead: The Stone Crabs will take on the Manatees in a doubleheader beginning at 5:00 at Charlotte Sport Park. Jesse Darcy (2-6) and Darin Downs (7-3) are the probable starters for the Stone Crabs.