Biscuits Can't Complete Rally as Rocket City Regains Control of Series

The Montgomery Biscuits (65-58/37-24) were too little too late as they fell to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (77-53/36-25), 8-6, Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium. After being down five the Biscuits started a rally late but could not complete the comeback.

In the top of the first, Biscuits starter Michael Mercado (4-7) had an impressive outing to retire the side. After allowing two singles, Mercado picked up a pair of strikeouts to get out the inning unscathed. In the bottom of the inning, Rocket City starter Chase Silseth (6-0) did well only allowing a single to Kameron Misner.

In the top of the third, the Trash Pandas scored with a two-run single from catcher Logan O’Hoppe to take the lead, 2-0. Moments later in the bottom of the fourth, Biscuits left fielder Evan Edwards tied the game at two with a two-run home run to left.

Rocket City reclaimed their lead in the top of the fifth when shortstop Zach Neto connected for a line drive RBI-double to left to make it 3-2 Trash Pandas. Still in the fifth, Rocket City improved their lead to 4-2 after a wild pitch by Biscuits starter Mercado.

Through six innings the Biscuits had a difficult time at the plate only connecting on three base hits. Rocket City however had no problems as they grew their lead to three after a sac fly to outfielder Jordyn Adams that made it 5-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Biscuits had an opportunity to tie, but could not take advantage with a fresh Ben Joyce on the mound for the Trash Pandas. First baseman Kyle Manzardo got in scoring position with a double. And with two outs, Joyce walked Edwards to put two on. A wild pitch by Joyce advanced Manzardo and Edwards to third and second, but Joyce struck out Niko Hulsizer to retire the side and keep the lead safe.

The seventh inning started with Biscuits reliever Andrew Gross replacing Josh Roberson. Gross was able to quickly ground out Neto, but walked O’Hoppe. Designated hitter Preston Palmeiro connected for a double before Biscuits manager Morgan Ensberg made a mound visit. Gross got the second out, but immediately surrendered a three-run home run to second baseman Jeremiah Jackson that extended the lead to 8-2. The Biscuits were able to cut at the lead and make it 8-3 after an RBI-double from Hulsizer.

In the ninth, Joe LaSorsa entered the game for Chris Gau and quickly retired the Trash Pandas after a flyout, walk and double play. In the bottom of the ninth, Wisely connected on an RBI-double that ricocheted off the left field wall to make it 8-4 with runners on third and second and no outs. After a mound visit, Misner recorded a sac fly that brought in another run and make it a three-run game, 8-5. With one out, Manzardo struck a ground ball down the first base line that drove in Wisely that shortened the lead to 8-6 and put the Biscuits within two with one out.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Johan Lopez made his way to the plate with a walkout opportunity. Lopez would chip the Eric Torres pitch in the dirty and fail to outrun the throw top first for the final out of the game.

With the Biscuits' loss, and a Mississippi Braves loss, the Biscuits now stand six games above the M-Braves and Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the Second-Half South Division standings with 8 games to go in the season.

The Biscuits return to action Saturday when RHP Sean Hunley (6-1) faces RHP Mason Erla (4-5) for Space Force/Military Appreciation Night presented by Alabama Power & MAX Fireworks AT 6:05.

The rest of the series includes a 2023 Schedule Poster Giveaway & Bark in the Park Sunday at 3:33 PM CT.