Biscuits Inch Their Way Past Stars

By Aaron Morse
The Montgomery Biscuits (17-13) used some small ball after a long ball got them on the board and the Huntsville Stars (16-15) continued to struggle on offense as the Biscuits prevailed by a score of 3-2 Monday night.

The Biscuits got their first run against Stars starter Michael Bowman in the bottom of the second with a homer from Matt Fields, his team leading 6th bomb of the year. But the Stars responded right away in the top half of the third inning thanks to the bottom of their order. Brent Brewer started things off with a single to center. That was followed by a Martin Maldonado double to right, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody down. One out later Caleb Gindl grounded out to score Brewer. But that would be all the Stars could get that inning.

The Biscuits got an unearned run off Bowman in the bottom of the 5th inning as a Zelous Wheeler throwing error allowed Cody Strait to reach base with one away. Strait immediately stole second base. He advanced to third a single and scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Emeel Salem.

Bowman got a no-decision in a strong outing as he went 5.2 innings, scattering five hits, giving up two runs, only one of which was earned, while walking two and striking out four.

The Stars would tie the game up in the top of the 7th thanks to more production from the bottom of the order. With one away, Andy Machado doubled to right. Then with two away, Chuck Caufield came up huge with a single up the gut and the game was tied.

Unfortunately the tie did not last long as the Biscuits got to reliever Mike McClendon (1-1) in the bottom half of the frame. Greg Sexton got things going with a double to right. A ground out moved him to third. Then John Matulia flied out to deep left to drive in Sexton.

That’d be all the solid Biscuits bullpen needed as Matt Gorgen nailed down his 6th save of the year and Dane De La Rosa (3-0) got the win in relief of starter Jeremy Hall.

Brent Brewer (3-4) had the only multi-hit game on either team.

The Stars remain four games back of the North Division leading Tennessee Smokies. They’re back in action Tuesday morning as they take on the Biscuits at 10:35 a.m. central time. Chris Cody (2-3) will be on the mound and you can hear all the action only on http://www.huntsvillestars.com.