KODAK, Ten. - After a postponement on Thursday, the Biscuits (45-27) started the Second Half by splitting a doubleheader with Tennessee Smokies (34-37), winning game one, 7-0, and losing game two, 3-2, on Friday night at Smokies Stadium.The Biscuits picked up right where they left off in the First Half
KODAK, Ten. - After a postponement on Thursday, the Biscuits (45-27) started the Second Half by splitting a doubleheader with Tennessee Smokies (34-37), winning game one, 7-0, and losing game two, 3-2, on Friday night at Smokies Stadium.
The Biscuits picked up right where they left off in the First Half in the first game, capitalizing on three-straight singles in the first three at-bats against Smokies lefty Justin Steele (0-6), as well as a wild pitch that scored Miles Mastrobuoni and gave Montgomery the only run they would need.
Riley O'Brien (4-4) dominated the Smokies all night long and became the first Biscuits pitcher this season to toss a complete game shutout, going seven innings and scattering just six hits and no walks. O'Brien has now strung together a season-high 15-consecutive scoreless innings.
The Biscuits added to their lead with a 10-batter, four-run fourth that featured a Robbie Tenerowicz RBI-single, a pair of errors, and a bases-loaded walk to Jesús Sánchez. The Biscuits then tacked on their final two runs in the fifth courtesy of a Brett Sullivan sac fly and a David Rodríguez RBI-double. The 7-0 win was the Biscuits 11th shutout victory of 2019.
Ryan Thompson made his first-ever start as the Biscuits opener in the second game of the twin-bill, and had a 1-0 lead thanks to a P.J. Higgins passed ball in the first inning. Thompson would have to exit the game with an apparent foot injury on a comebacker off his foot in the second, however, before a Connor Myers triple off Brian Shaffer (1-2) put the Smokies ahead, 2-1.
Tennessee added another run in the fourth on a Jesse Hodges RBI-double, but a Jermaine Palacios homer to left off Smokies starter Luis Lugo (2-0) in the fifth pulled the Biscuits back to within one at 3-2. But Jordan Minch worked two scoreless innings for his first save of the season, and handed the Biscuits their first defeat of the Second Half, snapping a Montgomery five-game winning streak against Tennessee.
The Biscuits will try to bounce back on Saturday night when Paul Campbell (1-0) takes on Alex Lange at 6:00 PM CT.
The Biscuits will return to Riverwalk Stadium for a Triple Play Tuesday on June 25 when the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will be in town for the first time this year. The series will also include Military Wednesday on June 26; Red Tails Night featuring a T-Shirt Giveaway on Thursday, June 27; Family Faith Night and MAX Fireworks on Friday, June 28; and Superhero Night and MAX Fireworks on Saturday, June 29.
