Generals vs Biscuits What To Look For, On Sullivan, History Weekly

A few notes ahead of the Biscuits home series vs the Generals. The Biscuits have won eight of their ten last games, the Generals have been idled by weather for most of the past week, though technically they have also won eight of their last ten games played.

The Generals are in second place, just a game and a half behind Montgomery. The Generals are also tied with Bham at 1.5 games back. The Smokies, still reeling from the five L's handed to them in Montgomery, are eight games behind and slipping fast. The Lookouts have lost ten straight games to occupy the division basement.

With the Montgomery Biscuits in first place and having already won the first half, the Jackson Generals currently hold the wild-card for the playoff spot. Its a hefty lead for Jackson, ten games over the Lookouts in the full season tally.

In the other division, Biloxi won the first half and refuses to give up first place, leading by a game over Jacksonville, two over dead-bears-walking Mobile. The Wahoos (4.5) and Braves (5.5) round out the standings. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

There have been a lot of things change for both these teams since their last face off, which at times was a literal face off.

The Generals won that series but lost the war, they dropped the next two series and the Biscuits rebounded to win the first half. Both teams rosters have changed in the interim, making it tough to predict.

Tough, but not impossible.
The Generals lead the league in homers, runs scored, RBI and OPS. They bang the ball off the walls, or over it, look for them to use power bats to produce runs. Particularly Jazz Chisolm, Jamie Westbrook and Jeffrey Baez, the danger zone of the Generals batting order.

Look for good pitching on both sides. These two teams have excellent pitching this season, limiting baserunners and runs scored at about the same rate. The Biscuits are the leagues stingiest for handing out free passes with the lowest walk rate in the circuit, the Generals are a close third.

The Biscuits run, look for them to keep running. Getting thrown out five times in one game didn't stop them, no reason to change game plans now.

Jackson is last in the league in stolen bases. Look for them to run as well, they cannot be happy about being last.

New Skit Jim Haley brings more plus speed to the fastest lineup in the South, look for Jim at third base when afield and running swiftly between bases when the Biscuits are at bat.


MAKES SENSE!
Montgomery is the only team in the league with a combined ERA under 3.00, which goes a long way to explain the teams success this year. Fans have commented that the Biscuits often score three runs a game, it makes sense that allowing just 2.95 runs a game ensures plenty of wins.

STRIKE THROWER

Lhp Josh Fleming

Josh Fleming has allowed the most hits (104) in the league, yet his low WhIP of 1.22 is eighth best in the circuit. To offset the base hits allowed, as has been his habit in previous campaigns, Fleming has walked just sixteen of the four hundred ten batters he has faced!

BISCUITS TURNOVER

Padlo and Fox, promoted to Durham

The second half turnover is in full swing, Lucius Fox and Kevin Padlo are the latest to seek apartments in Durham. Sam McWilliams went north last week alongside Jesus Sanchez.

Sam McWilliams leaves as the Southern League leader with a 2.05 ERA.
Lucius Fox leaves as the Southern League leader in stolen bases with 31.

Arriving to fill the roster spots vacated are infielder Jim Haley and outfielder Tommy Milone. Milone having rehabbed his injury and played his way back to double-A, Haley getting his first taste of Biscuits life.

Expect more moves from the team in the coming weeks as teams roster adjust for the MLB trade deadline.




ON BRETT SULLIVAN

I have been meaning to write about Brett for some time now, the guy is one of my fave players to watch, as is the case with many fans I talk with. A quiet leader on the field, Sully has been an unspoken captain for the Biscuits since his arrival.

The guy simply does it all, need a hit he whacks it, need a big catch, he grabs it. Play left field? Sure. Catch all nine plus extras? Of course. Pitch mopup in a blowout? Absolutely. When not in the game, Sullivan is perched on the rail watching every pitch. What more can any manager ask from his guys!

Sullivan on the rail with Miles Mastrobuoni

two way threat Brett Sullivan

Brett Sullivan differs from the average player on the Biscuit roster the past season or three. Born a few months before the strike of '94, Brett is a little older than some of his teammates. Not bearing a prospect label, Sullivan is one of those players who works for his supper, which helps endear him to the average fan as well as students of the game.

Captain Sully does what is needed, losing playing time behind the plate didn't slow him. Switching to left field looks easy when Sullivan bangs against the wall in front of the video board to make yet another amazing catch.

Used to be when a ball was hit to left, fans said "uh-oh, that ones trouble". These days, there is less trouble in left field than there used to be.

even the guy tagging him appreciates his hustle

Sullivan throws well, behind the plate or in left field. He runs well, having double-digit swipes now four straight seasons.


On the surface, it looks like Sullivan has thrived at the plate while learning a new position. A check of the stats says in fact, he is simply doing Brett Sullivan things as always. A few less at bats this year, but at the plate his batting average is right on track from last season and actually a tick below his career numbers.

Defensively, and this is what blew me away, Sullivan is statistically similar in left field and when catching.

In 2018 as a catcher, Sully had a .996 fielding percentage, this season his percentage in left field is .995 - all solid numbers. I don't have access to catcher metrics, certainly the Rays have seen fit to move him from behind the dish, probably something not evident by simple fielding percentages.

But it says much about a guy who is a little older, switched positions, hasn't been promoted since 2017, hasn't worn the prospect label, and yet still gets it done at the level he expects from himself.

The Biscuits need this guy six games a week, but I would think the Rays are running out of reasons to say he needs to stay in double-A.

#BULLPENLIFE

Most of the articles here are copied directly from the original, typos and everything. Sometimes I will fix glaring mistakes that distort readability, but mostly I like to leave it as-is.

JULY 18 1970 

Big John Young stole the run!

Rebels take first place in SL, beating Mobile in both end of a doubleheader by the same 1-0 score. Jim Foor pitched a three hitter in the first game, outdueling Mobiles four hitter. Marty Barski doubled and then scored on a wild pitch.

In game two, Steve Cushmore struck out seven and gave up just five hits. John Young scored the games only run in unearned fashion when he walked, stole second and raced home on throwing errors by the catcher and centerfielder.

Another doubleheader follows the next day vs Mobile.


JULY 19 1906 
Montgomery Pitcher Bill Breitenstein shuts out Shreveport on 2 hits.


JULY 19 1907 
Montgomery bashes out 16 hits against Memphis pitcher Suggs but only plates six runs.


JULY 20 1968 
Jim Brown of Rebels No-Hits the Charlotte Hornets, his second of the season!



JULY 22 1920 
Montgomery, AL
"Montgomery Sox Swamp Chicagoans
- The Chicago Black Sox colored baseball club team was easily defeated Thursday afternoon by the Montgomery Gray Sox team by the score of 15 to 1.

Sam Streeter

The visiting team putting up a miserable exhibition of the national pastime. Streeter, for the Grey Sox, was a puzzle to the Chicago players, and after the first inning he had his opponents at his mercy. Kemp, who started for Chicago, was easy pickings for the locals, and Smith, who succeeded him, could not check the assault. Williams, Scales, "Red" Cunningham and Herman Cunningham carried off the batting honors for the day, the quartet had little trouble in hitting the ball, when hits meant runs.

Streeter established a record on the local field when he pitched twenty consecutive balls for strikes, without having a ball called by the umpire. 

The Chicagoans came to the city highly rated, and are leading the league in the National league for colored clubs, but their performance Thursday was the poorest seen on the loacl field this season. Nashville opens a three-game series here this afternoon."

JULY 22, 1966
 - The Animals, Hermans Hermits play at the State Coliseum

JULY 22 1967 
Tigers Prospect Southpaw Les Cain throws a No Hitter for the Montgomery Rebels *which I first learned about from reading the back of his 71 topps baseball card!

Biscuits Infield Alchemy, Roster Shuffle, News & Notes

When the Tennessee Smokies last rolled into town, first half hopes were in their mind. The Biscuits put that thought away and took them out behind the woodshed, losing just once.

After that series the Smokies couldn't wait to get on the bus out of town. This time around, the Smokies had six games against Montgomery and were just as happy to pack up and get going after being denied in all but one contest.

Game six and these baby bears are over it

TOO GOOD TO CALL
Its been tough to know what to expect from this Biscuits team simply due to their unpredictable excellence. History implies that it can't be true, it can't last, prepare for the tailspin. But maybe, just maybe, this team is different...

It was against these same Smokies that Montgomery showed us their true mettle just a few short weeks ago. The two teams were in the final match of the five game set, with the Biscuits having won three after losing the first game.

The Smokies jumped out to an early lead but the Biscuits battled back. Not a little, not once or twice, but ALL NIGHT LONG. Check out the line score....

It wasn't back and forth, the Biscuits never had a lead in the game until the last pitch of the night in the 11th inning. It wasn't a good evening for Montgomery pitchers, giving up eighteen hits and allowing runs in six different frames.

The Smokies even plated a run in the 10th that coulda-woulda-shoulda have ended it. It would have been easy, nearly expected, that after winning three games to take the series that Montgomery could coast for the night, taking a loss and resetting for the next opponent.

But that just isn't how these guys roll. After swimming upstream for eight innings, the Skitz managed to tie the game, then put up runs to tie again in the tenth and to win it in the eleventh to claim the victory.

walk off June 6th

That game told me that this club isn't folding the tent, no matter the circumstances. Judge this team on its own merit, not by the measure of teams in years past.

ROSTER SHUFFLE
This month has had changes in the Biscuits roster aplenty. You knew it had to be coming, right? Its refreshing to see the Rays chose to keep Montgomery's team mostly intact until the MLB All Star Break. In the past its been no surprise to see several players move up with a few weeks left in the first half, leaving the Biscuits shorthanded.

Taylor Walls

Miles Mastrobuoni returned from Durham.
Tyler Zombro was promoted and then returned from Durham. Again.

Tommy Milone returns from Port Charlotte.
Vidal Brujan was promoted from Port Charlotte.
Taylor Walls was promoted from Port Charlotte.
Sam McWilliams was sent to the twilight zone temporarily inactive list.
Jhonleider Salinas was promoted from Port Charlotte.
Matt Krook was activated from the Injured List.
Ian Gardeck was sent on a rehab assignment.
Jason Garcia was signed and assigned to Montgomery.
Jesus Sanchez was promoted to Durham.



GONNA MISS 'SUS

Its going to be tough for Morgan Ensberg to fill the hole vacated by Jesus Sanchez, who stands in fifth place in the league RBI totals. Sanchez, while still raw as a player, developed considerable plate discipline during his time in Montgomery and showed excellent instincts as a defender.

It's probably a safe bet that he will hit better in triple-A than he did here, though his totals as a Biscuit are solid .275BA 8HR 49RBI.

I spoke with Jesus for a few minutes after Tuesdays game when he had learned of his promotion to triple-A. He was wearing his usual broad smile and offering cheerful hugs. He mentioned how much he enjoyed being in Montgomery and thanked us for supporting him.

Sanchy, as he is known to teammates, was excited to join his new club and certainly took the advancement as a nod from the front office that he was doing the things expected of him. Players get a lot of high fives and encouragement but the reward probably feels a little more tangible when it can be felt in the wallet.

ZOMBRO THE GREAT

Not content with being the Biscuits late inning wizard and one of the clubs best escape artists, Tyler Zombro has been impressing audiences with his performance all year. Now he is working on his latest, greatest display yet.

It's one of the most classic of magician tricks, the disappearing cabinet, and it has become a standard in the act of Zombro the Great.

He simply steps into his Biscuits locker and appears in Durham to hurl a couple innings, then back into the cabinet and BANG! Just two days later, he steps out of his Biscuits locker again.

Zombro

We have seen guys repeat ride the Querecuto Express from Montgomery to Durham and back before, but never with the speed and deft sleight of hand with which Zombro the Great executes the feat. And never once do his fingers leave his hand! What amazing prestidigitation will this maestro of the mound come up with next?

DON'T STOP RUNNING
In one game this week the Biscuits were caught attempting to steal four times. First Base Coach Gary Redus sauntered over and told me "We are done running today. These umps won't call anyone safe unless they pop up before the ball gets to the bag!"

He was lying to me though. We kept running, getting caught once more and swiping two bags.

Don't look back, someone might be gaining on you!

PICTURES
Its common knowledge that I take photos at the games and the players have encouraged me to pick up posting on Instagram again. I am simply terrible at it. I suck at captions and don't know how to tag people and places that I probly should be including. But if you are down for that kind of thing, you can follow me over there and see some pics I don't include here. Same name.

see you there!

TEAM PICTURES
Remember a couple years ago when the Biscuits tried to not have a team photo? Fans were irate, having one of these collectable team photos has been a requirement for the die hard since 2004. Several minor league teams have tried, with varying degrees of success, to eliminate the team photo giveaway.

So I took notice when a player mentioned that the club hadn't taken a team photo yet. I was reassured by a front office guy that there would be a team photo, it just hasn't been taken yet.

I gotta admit, its awful sad that we won't see the 1st Half Champs with MVP Jesus Sanchez on this annual keepsake. Lets hope the Biscuits win the second half as well, that might take the sting out a little.

FOWL POLE

Vidal Brujan

Of course the one game I skip is 4th of July, and Vidal Brujan hits the fair pole to get everyone in the park a free Chic-Fil-A sandwich. I love that it happened for the biggest crowd of the year, but fans had to redeem their ticket THE VERY NEXT DAY. That seems like a small window for a promotion by two of our local faves.


Yes, I do usually skip the 4th of July game, the crowd is huge and most of them are there more for fireworks than to watch the game. I find it way nicer to enjoy an extra day off and let someone have my seat for one day.

JASON GARCIA

Jason Garcia

The Biscuits annual dip into indie ball brings us another possible gem, Jason Garcia, who made his debut in the noon tilt on Tuesday.
Garcia brings good numbers from his indie ball club and could be a nice addition to the Biscuits staff while he is here.

Garcia comes with a bit of a story too - while with the Orioles in 2015 he pitched in a blowout game against the Blue Jays. Toronto was way ahead and the rookie Garcia came on in the 7th inning. Facing Jose Bautista, Garcia sent a pitch behind the back of Joey Bats, resulting in a warning. Three pitches later, Bautista hit a three run home run and of course, added a bat flip.

Its tough to know if the young Garcia, pitching in just his fourth big league game, was brash enough to throw at an MLB All Star on his own or if he was directed to do so by Orioles skipper Buck Showalter. Or maybe it just slipped.

I actually have a real scouting report on Garcia, supplied thanks to the Smokies coaching staff who left some trash laying around for me to find, which I will share with you.

2018
VS ALL
Fastball 91.7mph  spin rate 2270   vsR 55%  vsL 63%  pitches 181
Sinker  90.2mph   spin rate 2250   vsR 9%  vsL 8%  pitches 26
Slider 83.4mph   spin rate 2670  vsR35%  vsL 20% pitches 82
Change 87.2mph   spin rate 1500  vsR 0%  vsL 10% pitches 16


Garcia might be wise to check in with Biscuits pitching coach RC Lictenstein on that changeup. From what I have seen, RC has a talent for helping pitchers develop secondary offerings, particularly the change-of-pace. While warming for Tuesdays start, Garcia did throw the changeup a few times, though I didn't notice if he threw the pitch to a righthanded batter during the game.

FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED

The arrival of Vidal Brujan and Taylor Walls to the Biscuits give the fastest team in the Southern League two more speedsters to confound opposing catchers. Both these guys are fleet afoot and give Montgomery two more infield options for skipper Morgan Ensberg to work into the lineup.

INFIELD ALCHEMY
You have heard of a pitching rotation, but have you noticed the Biscuits infield rotation? I have been decoding lineup cards and consulting oracles, finally uncovering the method to the madness. It was confirmed for me by a Biscuits coach who described the infield alchemy formula thusly:

On the first day, guy plays second base.
The next day, guy moves to shortstop.
The following day, guy plays third base.
The fourth day guy has off.
Or maybe DH.
Or outfield.

So the coaching cabal has found a way for the four shortstops on the roster to get into the game at their natural position about once a week. Also, we can now expect Miles Mastrobuoni to enter into the mix!

Former Biscuits manger Billy Gardner Jr has taken a position as roving instructor for the Nationals, a job he has been doing for Washington since the start of last season.

Former Biscuits pitching coach Dick Bosman has retired. After turning 75 this winter, Boz decided to finally hang up the spikes. With over 55 years of dedication to the game, Boz deserves a chance to kick back and enjoy. 

Ex Biscuits catcher Nick Ciuffo has signed with the Cinci Redlegs and been assigned to Chattanooga.

Pitcher Curtis Taylor had a PRP and hopes to return to the Biscuits later this season.


Did you notice the young prospect on the Biscuits bench last week? It was coach Gary Redus' grandson, getting some time in at double-A as batboy and assistant snack-attacker. "He eats three whole bags of seeds a game!" Redus said of the young mans game plan. Although I admit I failed to note the youths name, he is obviously one to watch in the future!

I'm concerned about the Biscuits new infielder, Taylor Walls, and what might happen when he makes it to Tampa. Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is known to run thru Walls. Ba-dum-bum! I gots a million of em!

TODAYS #BULLPENLIFE

THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL HISTORY

JULY
no date noted

Fred Jevne

Jevne was not offered a position in the National League for 1896, and went to work in the Southern Association, where he seems to have a continued his fighting ways.  In July, The Birmingham Age-Herald said Jevne had missed the previous day’s game between the Montgomery Senators and Columbus River Snipes:

    “Jevne, the regular umpire, arrived in town last night, but this morning loaded himself up with the spirit of hilarity, got into a fight with a citizen and when the hour for playing arrived was in the hands of the police, and failing to make bond was unavoidably absent from the field.”

 JULY 7 
Satchel Paiges birthday, year uncertain

JULY 7 1968 
James Brown is superbad and tosses a no hitter, Montgomery beats Charlotte 2-0.

Brown is so superbad, he throws another no hitter on July 25th that same year, as far as I can tell the only time a Montgomery pitcher throws two no hitters in the same season. Only about three weeks apart! 

John Malarkey

JULY 11 1906 
Pitchers duel - Montgomery Pitcher Malarky allows 0 runs on just 2 hits over 10 innings, Bham starter Regan allows just 4 hits in ten innings. Sporting news doesnt note who wins the game!

JULY 12 1908 
Montgomery beats Memphis 2-0 in 13 innings, Memphis had 11 hits but failed to score.

JULY 13 1978 
The Montgomery Rebels are no-hit by Columbus Astros Rod Boxberger in the second game of a double header.

Rod's son Brad would play for Montgomery in 2016. I asked Brad if he had ever heard his dad talk about his no-no against Montgomery, "Oh, yeah, plenty! About a thousand times!"  the younger Boxberger told me.

JULY 13 1907 
Montgomery Pitcher Malarky holds Atlanta to two hits, but an error allows them to tie the game.

JULY 14 1893 

Joe McGinnity

Future Hall of Fame pitcher Joe McGinnity is signed/sold to the New York Giants, placed on reserve, and continues to pitch for Montgomery.