Biscuits Fall to Barons in Longest Game of Season

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Biscuits (62-54/34-20) fell apart in extra innings as they lost to the Birmingham Barons (54-69/23-31), 7-5 (11) Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The Biscuits could not take advantage of the Barons miscues as Birmingham got their first win of the series.

In the top of the first inning, Biscuits starter Evan McKendry opened his start in a wild way, hitting leadoff left fielder, Duke Ellis. Ellis immediately attempted to steal second, but was caught by catcher Blake Hunt. In the bottom of the first, McKendry surrendered a double to Barons second baseman, Bryan Ramos before recording the last two outs to retire the side.

The Biscuits struck first in the bottom of the second with an RBI-single from Brett Wisely to go up 1-0. Moments later in the top of the third, Ellis delivered a solo home run to right center to tie the game 1-1.

In the top of the fifth, Ramos smashed a deep solo home run that hit the Montgomery scoreboard in left center to put the Barons up 2-1. In the bottom of the inning, Kyle Manzardo connected for an RBI-double to tie the game at 2-2.

The Butter and Blue were able to get ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth, but the lead was short-lived. Birmingham was able to tie the game at 3-3 as Oscar Colas connected for an RBI-ground out in the top of the seventh. In the same inning, Birmingham recorded their third home run of the game thanks to center fielder Yoelqui Cespedes, a two-run shot to right center to hand the lead back to the Barons, 5-3.

In the eighth with the Barons still up by two, Biscuits reliever Trevor Brigden entered the game and found himself in a hole with the bases loaded and one out. Brigden was able to record a pair of strikeouts and escape the inning. Brigden would go on to retire the next two with strikeouts aswell.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Biscuits were able to load the bases with just one out. Barons pitcher Alejandro Mateo walked Kameron Misner to force Blake Hunt home and cut the Baron lead down to one, 5-4. After a mound visit, Ronny Simon was able to tie the game, 5-5 after a force out.

Entering the ninth the Biscuits found themselves with a chance to close it out with two on and two outs. With Osleivis Basabe at the plate he connected on a soft grounder in the infield that sent Diego Infante on the way home. Barons Cespedes put a throw on the money to catcher Evan Skoug for Infante to be tagged out at home and kill the walk-off opportunity.

With the game in extra-innings, the Biscuits found themselves with another opportunity to walk-off. Evan Edwards was able to make contact on the first pitch he saw and send it to right field but outfielder Oscar Colas made a great throw to home for Skoug to tag Basabe for the final out of the inning.

In the 11th inning, the Barons were able to break the tie and go up 7-5 in the 11th with a passed ball by Hunt and a balk by Chris Gau. The Biscuits opened up the half with a double play before back-to-back singles from Infante and Hunt. Wisely flew out for the final out and put a cap on the Biscuits longest game of the season.

Although the Biscuits could not leave with a victory, numerous Biscuits ended the game with new firsts. Infante recorded his first three-hit game. Basabe extended his hitting streak to 17, which sits fourth in the all-time Biscuits list. Shortstop Greg Jones is one stolen bases away from being the all-time Biscuits leader in stolen bases.

The Biscuits return to action Friday when John Doxakis (2-6) faces Garrett Schoenle (0-1) for Wizard Night Wand Giveaway on Friday at 6:35 PM CT.

The rest of the Star Wars Night & MAX Fireworks on Saturday, September 3 at 6:05 PM CT; and Princess Day featuring Team Poster Giveaway & Bark in the Park on Sunday, September 4 at 3:33 PM CT.