weekend vs jackson

Friday - doubleheader vs Jackson, always nice to have a Friday twin bill, but its also a sure way to give the bullpen a workout.

Your Skitz won the first one, lost the second. Always take a doubleheader split on the road! Even in the loss we had good production from the bottom of the lineup - I expect to see the top half of the order start hitting and putting up more than the 3.17 runs per game we are seeing now.

Shawn O'Malley

As a team, Biscuits hitters are a little younger than most other teams in the league and may be a few weeks slower to pick up the new level of pitching.

GAME ONE
Mikie had a steal in the first game and O'Malley doubled and scored a pair of runs hitting in the second spot. Kiermaier threw out Almonte at the plate to earn another assist for the Biscuits outfielders, a stat that is likely starting to add up. Marquis Fleming pitched valiantly, earning a win and a possible battlefield promotion after Suarez exited after just one and a third innings.

Merrill Kelly

GAME TWO
In the second game Merrill Kelly pitched well in spot start duty, allowing just three runs in four innings. O'Malley batted eighth and had an RBI and Mahtook and G-Man both swiped bags in the nightcap. Schenk came in and was the victim of a Brad Miller home run but the Skitz could only muster a pair of runs.



UPCOMING
Saturday and Sunday will be good barometers of the depth of the pitching and the stamina of the players on the back end of the first road trip. One thing is sure, they will be swinging the bats, the Generals are the only team taking fewer free passes than the Biscuits. Both teams also boast the top ERA's through the first ten days or so.

Saturdays Starter - Enny Romero

SEND HELP SOON

Being a man down in the 'pen we need the parent club to send a replacement for Liberatore, who was sent to Durham. Too many times in the past few years the Rays have seemed to drag their feet when making moves for the Skitz.

April, a hundred years ago

Off to a good start this year, the team needs the support of the organization to put a winner on the field, which is the bottom line of getting fans in the stands. The meter of fan support in Montgomery is in large part found by looking at the Win column.

Winning games puts people in the mood to see the team, simply speaking. People here know the Rays are studded with prospects and talented players, and are willing to turn out in good numbers to see them. However they wont come to see a team when it is struggling or losing games, and rightfully so.

Keeping the Biscuits short a man for a week in April is the kind of thing that costs the team at the gate the whole month of August.


PEN PRAISE
I have really liked the relief pitching, in spite of the occasional hiccups. The good work from the pen will help make games a little less painful for everyone, regardless of the outcome. Its a simple concept, but its surprising how hard it is find a group of guys who can all come into a ballgame and throw strikes. So far most of our guys fit that description pretty well.

Throught the first two weeks or so I really enjoyed watching RP Sandoval, who is currently pitching like a fiend. His story is special but right now the thing that is setting him apart is his veteran presence at the tail end of the game. He seems to be making the most of his opportunity with the Rays and Biscuits.



COMING UP: 
History Lesson
Conversation with BayBears coach Gary Ward