Biscuits win wild one over Mobile, 11-8
July 5, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Montgomery Biscuits News Release
MOBILE -- The Montgomery Biscuits (12-5; 47-40) used a six-run seventh inning Wednesday night at Hank Aaron Stadium to win a wild, three-and-a-half-hour game over the Mobile BayBears (9-8; 46-41), 11-8.
The sprawling seventh, in which the Biscuits sent 11 hitters to the plate, was a microcosm for the wide-open, offense-dominated, defensively sloppy and sometimes bizarre Fourth of July game. The Biscuits collected five singles and three walks in the inning against three different pitchers, including an RBI single by Fernando Perez and two-run singles by Josh Asanovich and Gaby Martinez. Martinez singled twice in the frame.
Outfielders suffered a lack of visibility as conditions on the field became foggy and smoky. It had rained hours before the game, leading to fog, and stagnant air kept smoke from nearby fireworks displays hovering overhead. These factors contributed to Mobile rightfielder Carlos Gonzalez's drop of a bases-loaded flyball in that fourth inning. The BIscuits took advantage of four BayBears errors, while Montgomery made three.
Montgomery used five pitchers, all relievers, for a patchwork pitching effort. Richard De Los Santos (1-1) started the game and lasted 3 2/3 innings. He departed with the score tied 2-2 in the fourth inning but looked at a potential loss when Derek Feldkamp entered to allow a home run to Josh Ford, the first batter he faced. After Feldkamp's 1 1/3 innings (3 H, 2 ER), it was Evan Meek's turn. The righty allowed two runs but was in the game during Montgomery's six-run explosion and picked up the win. In the eighth, Brett Wayne retired one hitter and Nick DeBarr entered with two men on to go the rest of the way.
A key play occurred with one out in the bottom of the eighth, with DeBarr facing Emilio Bonifacio, his first hitter, with men on second and third. The Biscuits led, 9-7, but the BayBears had the tying runs on base. Bonifacio flew out to Perez in shallow center, and Perez threw out Cesar Nicholas in his attempt to score from third. The double play ended the inning.
A bizarre play in the fifth inning brought the Biscuits to within one at 4-3. Matt Spring launched a high fly ball to the warning track in deep left centerfield. Center Fielder Justin Upton ranged an incredible distance to make a leaping attempt on it at the wall. But the ball bounced off his glove and over the wall for Spring's second home run of the year.
Shaun Cumberland had also homered in the third inning to open up the scoring.
The Biscuits got insurance in the ninth inning on an RBI single by Martinez and a Cumberland sacrifice fly.
The Biscuits, despite taking their record to 12-5 -- the club's best ever after 21 games -- remained a game back of the Jacksonville Suns in the South Division standings. The Biscuits previously took five of six from Mobile, June 19-23.
The four-game series' second game is Thirsday night at 7:05. Montgomery righty Chris Mason (10-4) faces Mobile righthander Esmerling Vasquez.
Southern League Stories from July 5, 2007
- BayBears Hand Over Win to Montgomery - Mobile BayBears
- Independence Weekend Fireworks Friday - Mobile BayBears
- Hart Deals and Smokies Slam Long Balls in 8-0 Win - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Turn on Power and Shut Down Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Lookouts Steal One from Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Jaxx Cure Road Woes, 6-1 - Jackson Generals
- Mudcats Get Past Suns, 5-2 - Carolina Mudcats
- Riggs Homerun Sparks Mudcats Rally - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Fireworks at the Hank - Mobile BayBears
- Changes to Stars' Pitching Staff - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits win wild one over Mobile, 11-8 - Montgomery Biscuits
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