Biscuits Top Smokies, 7-4

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Biscuits (43-39) looked to avoid dropping the series against the Tennessee Smokies (45-37), and they did just that with a 7-4 victory on Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

Mason Montgomery quickly found himself in a bases-loaded jam in the first inning of his 17th start this season. However, the lefty recorded three-consecutive strikeouts to escape the top-frame unscathed.

Walker Powell (4-5) had a strong opening to his 11th start of the season for Tennessee, retiring three-straight batters after allowing a leadoff walk to Ronny Simon. The walk proved to be costly for the Smokies as Simon stole second and third before advancing to the plate off a throwing error to make the score 1-0.

The Biscuits extended the lead in the third inning starting with an RBI-single from Tristan Peters. The center fielder was caught stealing during the next at-bat, but Junior Caminero was able to take advantage and steal home plate to make the score 3-0. Not long after, Mason Auer crushed a solo-shot to the railroad tracks behind left field as the Butter and Blue took a 4-0 lead.

Montgomery finished his evening with only three hits allowed and six strikeouts over four scoreless innings pitched. The lefty now has 94 strikeouts this season, moving him into fifth place in the Southern League for that category.

Victor Muñoz (7-6) stepped in for Montgomery to open the fifth inning, but Scott McKeon welcomed him with a solo-home run to put the Smokies on the board. Peters responded with a two-run laser over the right field wall to make the score 6-1 in the bottom-frame.

One inning later, Evan Edwards recorded the third home run of the evening for Montgomery with a solo-shot behind right field. It was Edwards’ ninth home run of the season, giving the second baseman the second-most home runs on the team.

Tennessee responded in the top of the seventh with an RBI-single from Levi Jordan, cutting the lead down to five. Jordan Nwogu closed the gap even further with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to make the score 7-3.

Owen Caissie reached base and Levi Jordan scored on a fielding error to make the score 7-4 in the top of the ninth, but Enmanuel Mejia recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close out the game. Muñoz earned the win while Powell recorded the loss, and both teams recorded 13 strikeouts to keep them tied at third place in the league with 842 strikeouts on the season.

The Biscuits and the Smokies will close the three-game series on Sunday, July 16 with first pitch scheduled for 3:33 PM. The game will include a Lil’ Crumbs Jersey Giveaway & Bark in the Park featuring a pitching matchup of Cole Wilcox (2-7) for the Biscuits against Kohl Franklin (2-5) for Tennessee.

The rest of the homestand will include a 90s Night T-Shirt Giveaway on Thirsty Thursday, July 20; a Big Mo Bobblehead Giveaway on Friday, July 21; Kimchi Night presented by Pulmuone & MAX Fireworks; and a Lil’ Crumbs Christmas in July Ornament Giveaway along with MAX Fireworks on Sunday, July 23.