No-Quit Biscuits Refuse Smokies, Hurling Biscuits

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

The Grape Jelly Series, Biscuits vs Smokies, is always a lively matchup and this installment was no disappointment. The Smokies came in as a .500 team looking to make up ground on the leading Montgomery club, who simply would have none of that. Even some terrible umpire calls could do nothing to slow the Biscuits in this five game set.

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This Biscuits team showed its moxy by taking four games and absolutely refusing to lose in the final contest. The entire series featured plenty of hitting, dominant pitching performances, the ejections of both hitting coaches, stealing home, a Brett Sullivan cycle, extra inning walkoff win and several very unusual plays.

In one instance, the Biscuits scored a run on a dropped infield fly that could easily have been turned into a double play. In the final game, the Biscuits fought back through the rain to tie and re-tie the game before finally winning it in the 11th inning. Drama? There's plenty.

Walk-Off!!

another guy mad he can't hit McWilliams pitches

 HURLING BISCUITS
Dominant pitching indeed, the Biscuits starting rotation is becoming a strike-throwing buzzsaw. Recent additions like Rosenberg and O'Brien have proven effective and deepened the rotation considerably.

The fine rotation of Fleming, McWilliams, Rosenberg, O'Brien and Co-NewGuys Shaffer and Campbell have Biscuit fans eyeing the upcoming series against rival Chattanooga with antici....





...pation.

BEARDED BISCUITS

Brian Shaffer

Ryan Thompson

The bullpen is rock solid most nights, allowing someone to have a bad day here and there without ruining everyone's week.

New addition Ryan Thompson brings a funky delivery from the right side but try not to confuse him with fellow bearded moundsman Brian Shaffer - like I did!

Shaffer has made two starts and should see plenty more chances as a long opener as well as occasional outings from the bullpen.

Brian Shaffer

Brett Sullivan
Does he have an S on his undershirt? Playing the outfield and hitting the ball with authority since being bumped from the catchers role, Brett Sullivan has been incredibly fun to watch, playing the game like a comic book superhero.

In left field a few runners have tested him but word will get around that you don't run on Sully. Sullivan has been ripping right handed pitching, handling a position change with ease and doing his usual thing as one of the vocal leaders of the club.


When his chance to hit for the cycle came around, he didn't miss it. Even though he had homered in his last at bat the previous day, giving him the cycle in four at bats over two games, the bewhiskered slugger faced down the Smokies closer. Sully muscled the ball over the wall next to the flagpole and fans wondered "is there nothing this guy can't do?"

AND ANOTHER NEW GUY
The cup on the head is a tried and true welcome for new hurler Paul Campbell. Paully, as he is known to teammates, will likely slide into the rotation this week, getting a soft-ish landing against the Jacksonville club. Paul is officially the first ballplayer named Campbell that I have heard of who hasn't been assigned the nickname "Soup". At least, not yet.

Campbell brings nice numbers from the FSL, getting nine starts with the Stone Crabs so far this year. The numbers say he keeps runners off the basepaths by limiting walks and induces a fair amount of strikeouts. Last year he advanced two different levels, accruing 69 innings in 12 starts. With 59 innings pitched this year, Campbell may have a limited workload when he starts approaching ninety or a hundred. Also he could benefit from the assistance of having an opener, to extend his appearances.

CAMERA MALFUNCTION
Do these pics look fuzzy? I think so, my camera malfunctioned at one point this series and I feel some of the pics I took lately seemed fuzzy. Hard to tell, as stadium light is notoriously tough to photograph. Might be time to upgrade, I will be taking suggestions from my photog friends, I have had this one a while now!

REBELS NIGHT
Looks like the Rebels night will indeed be a double-header with the Biscuits wearing the throwback uni's for game two. They will have a bevy of former Rebels folks on hand, look for former player/manager Ted Brazell and Rebels stadium announcer Joe Marcus to throw out first pitches and be available for autographs. Both have some fantastic stories about their days with the Montgomery Rebels in the 1970s and would provide a memorable visit if you have a chance to chat.

How fitting would it be for Montgomery to seal its first half championship while wearing the Rebels togs? The Rebels won three league flags in a row and five in six years to become a minor league dynasty under the Detroit Tigers.

And hey, they have the Rebels throwback caps in already at the team store. I bought three, idk how long they will be in stock and if they will ever get more in. Better grab one!


ALL STARS
The Biscuits All Stars will be announced, its obvious that several players deserve the honors. Guys like Jesus Sanchez, Lucius Fox, Josh Lowe, Brett Sullivan have surely earned their place in the ASG.

I would think that catcher David Rodriguez should be worthy of consideration, as should Robbie Tenerowicz and Miles Mastrobuoni. All these guys have shared the load for the first place club. Now promoted Dalton Kelly could also get an All Star nomination, then be replaced by another worthy player.

SECOND TEAM ALL STARS

Pinto applies the tag

Less likely to be considered, but whose value should not be understated, is that of catcher Rene Pinto. Handling the staff and throwing out would-be basestealers, Pinto saved his lone hit of the Smokies series for a big moment and has been reliable in moving runners up.

Sanchez and Palacios

Speaking of runners up, my Runner-Up for this Not-Quite-AllStar would be Jermaine Palacios. Gerry Castle has six stolen bases and makes smooth plays anywhere on the infield he is placed. He gives skipper Ensberg an easy choice for late inning pinch-runner or defensive replacement.

Like Pinto, Palacios isn't flashy but has proven reliable, the kind of players that help teams win.

NUMBERS GAME

Josh Lowe

Lucius Fox leads the league in stolen bases.

Jesus Sanchez is the league leader in RBI.

Josh Lowe is the team leader in Home Runs.

The Biscuits have the second best road record, behind Jackson, who are under .500 at home. Montgomery has the leagues best home record at 20-10.

Kenny Rosenberg is the Biscuits team leader in strikeouts, with 62.  IF he continues to pitch like he has, and he continues to do it for Montgomery, he could approach the all-time Biscuits strikeout mark!

TODAYS #BULLPENLIFE

THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL HISTORY

JUNE 7th 1906 
Southern League Umpire Barrett puts three Shreveport players out of the game for kicking (arguing). Shreveport is compelled to forfeit due to lack of players.

JUNE 7 1908 

Bert Maxwell

Montgomery falls to new Orleans 1-0 in 12 innings.

JUNE 10 1906 
Montgomery pitcher Bert Maxwell shuts out New Orleans on 3 hits

JUNE 11, 1937 
Pete Reiser appears for Union Springs in a game vs Pensacola, going O-4 with an error at third base. Reiser, aged fifteen at the time, later claimed never to have appeared in a game for Union Springs, but the box score indicates a forgettable game did happen.

JUNE 11 1905 
Montgomery and New Orleans play to a 13 inning, 3 run tie at MGM.

JUNE 11 1906 
Montgomery Pitcher Malarkey holds New Orleans to one run on three hits