Down On The Farm: Josh Arhart Gives Biscuits 2-1 Lead

Montgomery 6, Mississippi 5 (11 innings; Montgomery leads series 2-1). The Biscuits trailed 5-2 early in the game but rallied to tie it in the 7th and Josh Arhart came through with a pinch-single for the walk-off victory in the 11th. Brooks Badeaux led off the inning with a walk and Reid Brignac followed with a bloop single that fell in left field. The Braves changed pitchers and John Jaso lined out to the first baseman. Arhart then lined a single to right field with Badeaux scoring from second. Chris Mason struggled from the mound. He was touched for all 5 runs in 4 innings off of 7 hits, including an uncharacteristic 3 home runs. During the regular season, Mason only allowed 7 home runs in 161.1 innings (1 every 23 inn.). The bullpen picked up the slack allowing only 1 hit in 7 innings. Things did get dicey in the top of the 11th when Jeremy Flanagan walked 2 and intentionally walked a third to load the bases. He was able to retire the side when he got the final out on a fly ball to center. Gaby Martinez was 3-4 with a 2-run home run. Brignac was 1-5 with a walk and his second error of the series.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

• The Richmond Braves won their divisional series and will now face the Durham Bulls for the Governor’s Cup in the International League Finals. [Richmond Times-Dispatch]

Down On The Farm: Ryan Royster Drives In Seven

Mississippi 4, Montgomery 3. Chris Seddon had his second straight shaky outing. He gave up 5 hits and 4 walks that led to 4 runs. He fell to 3-3 with a 4.65 ERA on the season. Evan Longoria was 1-4 with a 2-run double. Jason Pridie was 3-4 and is now up to .310. He also added his 10th stolen base. Reid Brignac had an RBI but was 0-3 and is now 2 for his last 30 and is hitting .250.

Lakeland 5, Vero Beach 3. Matt Walker went 5 innings and gave up only 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 5.

Columbus 7, Charleston 3. Ryan Royster came to the plate twice last night with the bases loaded. The first time in the 4th inning he hit a bases clearing double to give the Catfish a 3-1 lead. Then, with 2 outs in the 10th, with the score tied 3-3, Royster hit a walk-off grand slam to give Columbus the win. It was Royster’s 7th home run and he now has 29 RBI on the year to go with a .325 batting average. Royster was a 6th round selection in 2004. Josh Butler worked 6 innings and gave up 2 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 2. After allowing only 5 earned runs in his first 6, he has surrendered 8 in his last three and his ERA now stands at 2.30. Desmond Jennings was 4-4 to raise his average to .325

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

• Catcher Josh Arhart, of Montgomery, was placed on the DL with a back injury. Matt Spring was promoted from Columbus to fill the empty roster spot.
• Durham had an off day
• Ryan Fagan of Sporting News lists Evan Longoria as one of “The next big home run hitters“
• Matt Maniscalco, an infielder with the Bulls has announced his retirement. The former 8th round pick in 2003 was hitting .171 in 76 at bats at AAA.