SL1 Montgomery Biscuits

Biscuits take Game One from Suns, 4-3

Published on September 7, 2006 under Southern League (SL1)
Montgomery Biscuits News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A four-run seventh inning for the Montgomery Biscuits Thursday night overcame a 3-0 Jacksonville Suns lead and the visitors hung on for a 4-3 win before 2,409 fans in Game 1 of the Southern League Divisional Championship Series at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The Biscuits faced four different pitchers in the inning. Starter Spike Lundberg, who had thrown shutout baseball through six innings, allowed a first-pitch home run to Michael Coleman to begin the inning. It was a harbinger of things to come. After Lundberg set down two more, Jason Pridie shot a single through the infield and Elliot Johnson cracked a double to right field, knocking out Lundberg.

Alabama native Wesley Wright came in to face lefty Reid Brignac but walked the Biscuits shortstop to load the bases.

Next, it was B.J. LaMura's turn, and the righty walked Johnny Raburn to make the score 3-2. Former Jacksoville Sun Justin Ruggiano followed by slamming a ball to left field that hopped over the wall for a two-run ground-rule double.

Brian Akin came in to retire Evan Longoria and end the game-winning inning. Wright suffered the loss and the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher Lundberg got a no-decision.

The double was atonement for Ruggiano, who had committed a second-inning error that led to a run. Biscuits starter Jeff Niemann allowed the first of four hits that inning, as Tony Abreu singled to right. Ruggiao mishandled it and Abreu took second base. He later scored on a passed ball. It was an unearned run to Niemann, but it gave the Suns the lead.

The following inning, Suns shortstop Chin-Lung Hu beat out a two-out infield single and designated hitter Tydus Meadows hit a two-run homer to left field.

Niemann held the Suns scoreless for the rest of his 6 2/3-innings start. Niemann allowed three runs (two earned), walking three and striking out five. He hung around long enough to get the win.

Montgomery threatened Akin for insurance runs in both the eighth and ninth innings but came up short. The Biscuits left 13 men on base in the game.

The Biscuits' bullpen held the lead late in the game. Tony Peguero was perfect in facing four hitters, Brian Henderson got two outs in the ninth, and with the tying run on first base, Jean Machi came in to strike out Brad Cresse and notch the save.

Raburn and Pridie each had three hits in the game.

After Coleman took a leadoff walk in the eighth inning, he had a brief but heated confrontation with Suns catcher A.J. Ellis. Players rushed the field, clearing both dugouts and bullpens, but no punches were thrown.

It was the Biscuits' first-ever playoff game. Jacksonville, the defending Southern League champs, won six games and lost just one en route to the 2005 title. The last team to repeat as Southern League Champions was the Montgomery Rebels in 1976-77.

Game 2 is Friday night in Jacksonville at 6:05 CST with Montgomery' Andy Sonnanstine (15-8, 2.67) facing Suns lefty Scott Elbert (6-4, 3.61). The series returns to Montgomery on Saturday with a 7:05 p.m. game. If neccessary, Game 4 will be Sunday at 4:05 p.m. and Game 5 will be Monday at 7:05 at Riverwalk Stadium.

In Chattanooga, the Huntsville Stars captured Game 1 of their playoff series versus the Lookouts.

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Southern League Stories from September 7, 2006


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