Biscuits Brief: June 21, 2018
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Biscuits are back! Montgomery (37–33) returns to Riverwalk Stadium for the second half of the season, looking to parlay a strong end to the first half into a Southern League playoff spot. The Butter and Blue is 13–4 in June, including a team record eight wins to start a month.
However, the Biscuits’ season woes against the Tennessee Smokies persisted last weekend. Montgomery lost its first series since mid-May, falling in the rubber-match on a walk-off by Ian Rice Sunday (his second of the series). Now, the Biscuits welcome the Birmingham Barons and Chicago White Sox top prospect Eloy Jimenez (32–36) to Riverwalk Stadium for a six-game series.
EXCELLENT ELOY
Barons’ outfielder Eloy Jimenez continues to climb the Minor Leagues with great production in 2018. The 21-year old in his first full season within the White Sox organization is slashing with a .317 batting average, 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. Jimenez will be the third organizational top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, to face the Biscuits this season. In five games against Montgomery, the Southern League All-Star has seven hits in 19 at-bats with a home run.
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 with 2 home runs, 15 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
OH MY, MARIS
After hitting .320 with 5 home runs and 19 RBIs with High-A Charlotte, Peter Maris earned a promotion to Montgomery on June 7. Since joining the Butter and Blue, Maris is batting .379 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs in just 9 games. Although his home run streak of three games was snapped on June 15 (6/12–6/14), Maris has hits in eight-of-nine Double-A games and is batting .348 with 5 home runs this month (between Charlotte and Montgomery).
NOT A LOWE HOME RUN TOTAL
Biscuits’ first baseman Nate Lowe continues to punish opposing pitching this season, hitting three home runs over the past three games. The reigning Southern League Player of the Week now has 14 home runs between High-A Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery. The total is a career-high as a professional for the two-time Florida State League Player of the Month. Lowe is now chasing an individual mark of 17 home runs hit with St. John’s River State College.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Ten days ago, Nate Lowe and Peter Maris joined the Biscuits. The duo has not missed a beat since suiting up for the Butter and Blue. The pair has been responsible for 67 percent of Montgomery’s runs since June 8 as the two are batting a combined .382 with 7 home runs, 20 RBI and 15 runs scored.
June 21, 2012
Facing in-state rival Mobile, the Biscuits held off a late-inning surge by the BayBears en route to a 7–6 win. Montgomery starter Alex Colome allowed just one run in six innings — he would go on to win 8 games for the Butter and Blue before earning a late-season promotion to Triple-A Durham. The Biscuits went on to post the second-best record in the Southern League but lost in the South Division Championship Series to eventual champion Mobile.
Triple-A Durham
Record: 38–31 (1st in International League South)
Yesterday: 9–6 loss (8) @ Louisville
The Gist: Former Biscuit Yonny Chirinos surrendered seven runs in 2.1 innings, allowing Louisville to rally from a 4–2 deficit in the third. Despite Durham’s productive bats, a comeback was spoiled by the weather. After the top of the eighth, the matchup was shortened due to thunderstorms.
Next Game: Tonight @ Louisville
High-A Charlotte
Record: 34–33 (4th in Florida State League South)
Yesterday: 6–5 victory (11) vs. Lakeland
The Gist: The Stone Crabs walked-off on an RBI-single by Tristan Gray in the bottom of the eleventh. All Charlotte hitters had at least one hit while seven Stone Crabs recorded multi-hit games. The offensive outburst was led by Kevin Padlo, who was 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Starting pitcher Willy Ortiz kept the Flying Tigers on the runway, limiting Lakeland to two runs over seven frames.
Next Game: Tonight @ Palm Beach
Low-A Bowling Green
Record: 47–22 (1st in Midwest League Eastern — First Half Division Winner)
Yesterday: Off
Next Game: Tonight vs. Lake County
Short-Season Hudson Valley
Record: 3–3 (2nd in New York-Penn League McNamara)
Yesterday: 8–7 victory (10) @ Brooklyn
The Gist: Hudson Valley avoided a sweep, rallying from a two-run deficit in the ninth to force extra innings. The Renegades took advantage of Minor League Baseball’s new rules, scoring the lead-off runner on a sacrifice fly by Ford Proctor. Renegades’ reliever B.J. Myers kept the Cyclones spinning, recording five strikeouts in two innings to send the Rays’ affiliate to Dutchess Stadium on a win.
Next Game: Tonight vs. Vermont
Rookie Princeton
Record: 0–2 (5th in Appalachian League East)
Yesterday: 8–0 loss @ Kingsport
The Gist: Princeton starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez hurled five scoreless innings, keeping the K-Mets off the board initially. The Rays’ bullpen faltered in the bottom of the eighth, allowing eight runs.
Next Game: Tonight @ Kingsport
JUNE 21
Birmingham: Matt Tomshaw (1–4, 6.14 ERA)
Montgomery: Sam McWilliams (2–2, 4.32 ERA)
JUNE 22
Birmingham: Alec Hansen (0–1, 11.57 ERA)
Montgomery: Zach Lee (8–1, 2.22 ERA)
JUNE 23
Birmingham: TBA
Montgomery: J.D. Martin (4–8, 5.35 ERA)
JUNE 24
Birmingham: TBA
Montgomery: Genesis Cabrera (5–4, 4.01 ERA)
JUNE 25
Birmingham: TBA
Montgomery: Brandon Lawson (2–0, 3.29 ERA)
JUNE 26
Birmingham: TBA
Montgomery: Sam McWilliams
JUNE 21: Tank Top and Flip Flop Night
The first 1,000 fans age 15 and older to enter through the gates of Riverwalk Stadium will receive a free Biscuits’ tank top. Also, as a part of Thirsty Thursday, $2 domestic beer specials will be offered throughout the night.
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.
