Barons Beat Biscuits, 6-5

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Biscuits (37-34) lost their second-half opener, falling to the Birmingham Barons (33-36), 6-5, on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. 
Birmingham outfielder Joel Booker began the evening similar to how he kicked off the Carolina League All-Star Game. The 24-year old recorded a double, coming around to score on a wild pitch from Biscuits' starting pitcher Sam McWilliams (2-3).
Trailing 1-0, Montgomery answered in the bottom half. Power-hitting first baseman Nate Lowe spurred a two-out rally, doubling off Barons' starter Matt Tomshaw (2-4). Ryan Boldt started a hit parade, plating Lowe on an RBI-single. Biscuits' catcher Brett Sullivan joined the fun, scoring a run on an RBI-single, himself. However, Sullivan was thrown out at home for the final out of the inning, keeping the edge at 2-1.
In the third, the Biscuits widened their lead, thanks to an RBI-single by Peter Maris. The extension of Maris' hitting streak to eight games supplied Montgomery with a 3-1 advantage.
With run support, McWilliams escaped a jam with two runners on in the third. Though, the right-hander could not avoid damage the next inning as Birmingham's Matt Rose hit his ninth home run of the season.
Trey Michalczewski would seize the lead for the Barons on a two-run double off McWilliams in the fourth. Following a walk to Danny Mendick, McWilliams was replaced by Travis Ott with the bases loaded; yet, the Montgomery reliever could not throw strikes, resulting in an RBI-walk to Jameson Fisher.
Birmingham scored an insurance run in the eighth. Rose achieved his third multi-home run game of the season, putting the Barons ahead 6-3.
Montgomery, despite starting hot, began a rally too late. The Biscuits cut the deficit to a single run on a two-run home run by Dalton Kelly. But, Birmingham's José Ruiz salvaged the one-run edge, retiring Peter Maris and Nick Solak with a runner on first and one out.
The Biscuits continue a six-game homestand against the Birmingham Barons on Friday at 6:35 p.m. at Riverwalk Stadium. It will be 90's Night, featuring a special VIP meet and greet with Flavor Flav and MAX Fireworks. Montgomery is scheduled to start a reliever before Zach Lee (8-1) enters the game. The Barons are expected to start Alec Hansen (0-1).
The remainder of the series includes Family Faith Night with a Faith Radio Pre-Game Concert and MAX Fireworks on Saturday, June 23, as well as the 25th Anniversary of The Sandlot, which will be celebrated with a Youth Jersey Giveaway on Sunday, June 24.