Ump Lessons, Grape Jelly Series

The Biscuits took the series against the Slagtown Barons, winning three games and dropping just two.

Kirsch

The losses were close games and could easily have gone in favor of the hometown nine, but the Skitz are confident moving forward. "This team never gets down, they just keep fighting" pitcher Chris Kirsch told me after Fridays game resulted in a loss for Montgomery.


SERIES LOOK
Highlights of the series include, but not limited to, new stirrups and pink uni accessories for Mothers Day. Fans were buzzing when Fridays starting pitcher took the bump in his pink Mothers Day cleats.

Ryne Stanek

The pink was everywhere, guys showing Mom a little love even if they didn't get into the game.

Bullpen Catcher Jake Hager

FACE TIME
For me, another highlight of the series was getting interviewed by WSFA during its broadcast of the game on Saturday night.

Willy Adames

I spoke with sports reporter/anchor Chuck Walter for several minutes during the 9th inning, he asked me great questions but I was watching the game over his shoulder as the Barons threatened to come back while we talked!

He asked who I thought was the next Ray player I would be wearing a jersey of, as I answered I was glad I decided to skip the beers this evening and managed to not swear the whole time. I told him Guerrieri, Faria, Bauers and Adames were all likely to be the next Rays phenoms.

 UMP LESSONS

While I signed up for an umpire camp to take place next weekend, Biscuits manager Brady Williams was giving umpire lessons a week early after a disputed call at third base went against the home team.

 

Roster moves for the Biscuits are the promotions of Adam Kolarek and Parker Markel, both sent to Durham.

GRAPE JELLY SERIES 2016

The homestand keeps rolling along as the Biscuits play host to the Tennessee Smokies, a Cubs affiliate.

You remember the Smokies, we saw them about five times last year and this time we have three series at Riverwalk with the baby bears. The Smokies are third in the standings and look at this series as a chance to move up in the division by knocking off the team ahead of them - Montgomery.

The Skitz and Smokies met a few weeks ago in Tn, the Smokies getting the series win but the teams both scored the same number of runs (22) in a tightly played five games.

Powered by Bijan Rademacher, the Smokies are a strong team and bring tough hitters and prospect pitching.

The Ursine Nines roster list is topped Duane Underwood, a right handed pitcher ranked #4 among Cubs prospects. He has a smoking fastball and is on the fast track to Chicago.

Outfielder Billy McKinney ranking #6, 3B Jeimer Candelario 7th, 18th ranked is OF Mark Zagunis are top drawer prospects. Also sneaking onto the prospect list are pitchers Josh Conway, Brad Markey & Jen-Ho Tseng. Rounding out the ranked prospects are OF Jacob Hanneman, catcher Victor Caratini and Faulkner hurler Corey Black.

If some of those names are familiar, they should be, several are getting their second turn through the Southern League.


Monday
Hu vs Zastryzny

Tuesday
School-day Game
Faria vs Underwood

Wednesday
Guerrieri vs Blackburn/Tseng?

Thursday
Thirsty Thursday
Stanek vs Skulina

Friday
Family Faith Night
Kirsch vs Markey

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Look for the Biscuits to make a roster move to add a pitcher, possibly two.

Look for Jacob Hanneman to test the Biscuits catchers, the Smokies centerfielder is second in the league in stolen bases with 14 and has only been caught once.

Look for Willy Adames to score runs, he leads the league in touching home plate and has been at the center of many Biscuits rallies.

The Biscuits will look to spoil Paul Blackburns nifty 0.24 ERA, he has only allowed on earned run through six starts.

With four of the top six leaders in bases on balls, look for the Smokies to have patient at bats and not chase bad pitches.

Look for Casey Gillaspie to take a free pass, he leads the league in that stat.

Smokies pitcher Brad Markey may be looking at hitters trot around the bases, he has served up the most homers in the league to this point, allowing six circuit clouts in seven games.