Biscuits Brief: June 22, 2018
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Montgomery Biscuits (37–34/0–1) will attempt to stop a two-game losing skid when continuing a six-game set against the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, the Birmingham Barons (33–36/1–0). Riverwalk Stadium will transform into 90’s Night, featuring a special VIP experience with recording artist Flavor Flav.
START, WIN, REPEAT
Biscuits’ ace Zach Lee will make his 13th appearance (1st as a reliever) with the Butter and Blue tonight. The Southern League All-Star starts the second half with an 8–1 record, putting him atop the wins leaderboard as well as on pace to surpass a career-high set in 2015 (13). Regardless of personal victories, the Biscuits have played their best with Lee on the mound. Montgomery has won each of Lee’s last six starts and eight of his last nine.
PROSPECT POWER
Despite the promotion of White Sox top prospect Eloy Jimenez, the Barons still pack quite the prospect punch. According to MLB Pipeline, Birmingham has four Top 100 prospects, including catcher and Southern League walks leader Zack Collins and a trio of starting pitcher. This series the Biscuits will face all three starters, including Alec Hansen tonight. Hansen was just recently recalled from High-A Winston Salem and allowed 6 earned runs in 4.2 innings during his season debut.
THE TALE OF TERRIFIC TRAVIS OTT
On May 26, Biscuits’ reliever Travis Ott gave up four runs to Chattanooga, ballooning his ERA to 6.35. Since the Saturday night at AT&T Field, the southpaw has not allowed an earned run in thirteen innings. While Ott’s streak has only grown, his season ERA is down to 3.96.
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST
Although the last two games indicate otherwise, Montgomery’s offense is turning on all cylinders. Peter Maris leads a group of five Biscuits who possess hitting streaks of four-plus games entering Friday. Maris, who now is on an eight-game hitting streak, is followed by Ryan Boldt (6), Jake Cronenworth (5), Nate Lowe (4) and Brett Sullivan (4).
CRONEN-WORTH MORE THAN YOU KNOW
Biscuits’ infielder Jake Cronenworth has turned around his 2018 season. The 24-year old was batting just .080 on May 12 but has raised his batting average 129 points in just over a month. During the span, Cronenworth has hits in 23-of-28 games and is batting .304 (35 H/115 AB) with 2 home runs, 15 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
June 22, 2012
On the road in Kodak, Tenn., Rico Washington went 1-for-3, moving his hitting streak to 20 games. During the streak, the future St. Louis Cardinal had seven multi-hit games and batted .366. The then team record stood for seven years, prior to Hak-Ju Lee breaking the mark in 2012.
Triple-A Durham
Record: 39–31 (1st in International League South)
Yesterday: 13–3 victory @ Louisville
The Gist: 13 runs were plated as eight-of-nine Bulls had hits. Durham starting pitcher Forrest Snow kept the Bats’ guessing, allowing just one run in seven innings. Former Biscuit Kean Wong extended his hitting streak to eight games, spraying 3 hits with 2 RBIs. Brandon Lowe hit his first Triple-A home run since being called up from Montgomery.
Next Game: Tonight @ Indianapolis
High-A Charlotte
Record: 35–33/1–0 (1st in Florida State League South)
Yesterday: 10–1 victory @ Palm Beach
The Gist: Tampa Bay Rays #4 prospect Jesus Sanchez and 2017 All-Star Futures Game selection Lucius Fox returned to Charlotte’s lineup, helping the Stone Crabs cage the Cardinals. Sanchez had a monster game, going 3-for-4 with his ninth home run and 4 RBIs. The three-hit outburst was the 20-year old’s eighth three-plus hit game of the season. Fox was one of five Stone Crabs to have two hits on the evening.
Next Game: Tonight @ Palm Beach
Low-A Bowling Green
Record: 48–22/1–0 (1st in Midwest League Eastern — First Half Division Winner)
Yesterday: 7–2 victory vs. Lake County
The Gist: Bowling Green extended its winning streak to six games by trouncing the Captains. The Hot Rods sped ahead 7–0, thanks to two-RBI games by Vidal Brujan and Moises Gomez. Starting pitcher Austin Franklin continued his stellar Midwest League campaign, picking up his fifth win with five shutout innings.
Next Game: Tonight vs. Lake County
Short-Season Hudson Valley
Record: 4–3 (2nd in New York-Penn League McNamara)
Short-Season Hudson Valley
Yesterday: 4–3 victory vs. Vermont
The Gist: Hudson Valley sent a crowd of 4,325 fans home happy, winning their 2018 home opener against the Lake Monsters. Tanner Dodson and Tyler Frank both supplied multi-hit performances, propelling the Renegades’ offense. Blake Butera’s bullpen was fantastic in relief of starter Paul Campbell. Hudson Valley relievers spun 3.2 innings of shutout baseball to clinch the victory.
Next Game: Tonight vs. Vermont
Rookie Princeton
Record: 0–2 (5th in Appalachian League East)
Yesterday: 5–4 loss @ Kingsport
The Gist: Tampa Bay Rays’ #7 prospect Wander Franco advanced his hitting streak to three games to start his career. Despite his presence in the lead-off spot, Princeton squandered a two-run lead prior to forcing the K-Mets to bat in the bottom of the ninth. With the scored knotted at 4–4, Heath Renz gave up an RBI-single with two runners on and two outs.
Next Game: Tonight vs. Danville
JUNE 22
Birmingham: Alec Hansen (0–1, 11.57 ERA)
Montgomery: Dalton Moats (0–1, 4.67 ERA) followed by Zach Lee (8–1, 2.22 ERA)
JUNE 23, 2018
Birmingham: Dane Dunning (5–2, 2.78 ERA)
Montgomery: J.D. Martin (4–8, 5.35 ERA)
JUNE 24, 2018
Birmingham: Bernardo Flores (Double-A Debut)
Montgomery: Genesis Cabrera (5–4, 4.01 ERA)
JUNE 25, 2018
Birmingham: TBA
Montgomery: Brandon Lawson (2–0, 3.29 ERA)
JUNE 26, 2018
Birmingham: TBA
Montgomery: Sam McWilliams (2–3, 5.22 ERA)
JUNE 22: Special Appearance by Flavor Flav + 90’s Night + MAX Fireworks
Yeah boy! As a part of 90’s Night, everyone’s favorite clock-wearing, love-finding reality show host, Flavor Flav is coming to Montgomery! Don’t miss your chance to see the 90’s artist as Riverwalk Stadium goes old school for a rocking night of nostalgic throwback. Plus, enjoy the best fireworks in the River Region to cap off the night.
JUNE 23: Family Faith Night + MAX Fireworks
Join the Biscuits for a night of worship on Family Faith Night, featuring a special pre-game concert presented by Faith Radio.
JUNE 24: 25th Anniversary of The Sandlot
The first 500 kids age 14 and under through the gates will receive a free powder blue replica Biscuits jersey. Plus, stick around after the game for a post-game showing of The Sandlot on the video board of Riverwalk Stadium.
JUNE 25: Golden Biscuits Monday
Every Monday the Biscuits honor the greatest generation with Golden Biscuits Mondays! Check our ticket package page to learn more about this special club and its benefits.
JUNE 26: Southern Fried Food Fest + Dollar Dog Tuesday
The Biscuits’ culinary staff is ready to fry the competition! Come and enjoy fried versions of our Southern League opponents in a one-night-only food extravaganza.
