Saturday, June 21, 2008
For Immediate
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Contact: Jim Tocco
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323-0363 |
Biscuits fall just short in 11 innings, lose 9-8
Hughes and Pedroza homer back-to-back in the ninth
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MONTGOMERY – The Montgomery Biscuits (1-4) came all the way back from a 7-2 deficit, scoring three in the eight and two more in dramatic fashion in the ninth, but lost in extra innings to the Mississippi Braves (4-1), 9-8 at Riverwalk Stadium Saturday night.
Braves starter Kris Medlen pitched a gem through seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking none. The Biscuits offense heated up in the eighth against a shaky Braves bullpen. Kevin Gunderson lasted just 1/3 of an inning after giving up a two run triple to Ronnie Merrill followed by an RBI single from Gaby Martinez.
Mississippi closer Luis Valdez entered with one out in the eight and needed just one pitch to retire the side, as Chris Nowak grounded into his league leading 16th double play.
With two outs, two strikes and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth, Sergio Pedroza blasted a solo home run to right field to bring the Biscuits within one run. Valdez, who had yet to allow a long ball all season faced pinch hitter Rhyne Hughes next. With the Biscuits down to their final strike once again, Hughes launched a second consecutive solo shot to tie the ballgame and send the Biscuits and Braves to extra innings.
The Braves had smacked back-to-back homeruns earlier in the night. Greg Creek and Kala Ka'aihue both went deep in the third, making the score 4-0. Reid Gorecki pitched in with his third hit of the night in the 8th inning, plating two, which put the Braves up, 7-2.
The Biscuits had charged all the way back, but after a scoreless top and bottom of the tenth, Ryan Reid had all kinds of control problems in the top of the 11th. Reid retired the leadoff man before allowing Van Pope to double. Creek received an intentional pass followed by a walk issued to Ka'aihue. Braves top prospect Jordan Schafer drew the third consecutive free pass, bringing home Pope and giving the Braves a one run lead. Javier Guzman capped Mississippi's scoring with a slow roller that brought home Creek, making the score 9-7.
Montgomery made it exciting one again, facing Braves reliever Brad Nelson in the bottom half of the inning. Erold Andrus singled with one out and moved to third on a following Pedroza single. A wild throw from Braves catcher Phillip Britton on a Pedroza steal allowed Andrus to score and put the tying run in scoring position with just one out. The Biscuits' heroics fell one run short, as Johnny Raburn grounded out to end the game, 9-8.
Sunday afternoon at 2:05 the Biscuits send staff ace Jake McGee to the mound for the second time this series. McGee took a no decision in the game one, 7-2 loss. He will face James Parr, who made his last start for the Braves organization with AAA Richmond. Parr is 4-4 with a 4.63 ERA in 14 Southern League starts this season. Following the afternoon affair, the Biscuits take Monday off before heading to Mobile for a six game set.
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