The Undercards: Victor Mateo’s Strong Start Helps Montgomery to Win

In his first outing after his no-hitter, Victor Mateo looked as though he may top that accomplishment as he was perfect through three. Although he was unable to get the perfect game, Mateo still had an excellent outing, helping the Biscuits to a victory over the Barons.

Gwinnett Braves 5, Durham Bulls 1

Everything fell apart for the Bulls in the sixth inning. Finding themselves engaged in a scoreless tussle in the bottom of the inning, the Braves bats came alive against Bulls starter Mike Montgomery. Montgomery, who held the Braves to two hits through the first five innings, was roughed up for five runs in the ill-fated frame. The offensive explosion was highlighted by a two run double by Ernesto Mejia and a two run home run off the bat of Stefan Gartrell. The Bulls got their lone run with two outs in the top of the ninth as Craig Albernaz doubled in Kevin Kiermaier to put Durham on the board, but that was all the offense they managed. Montgomery took the loss, giving up five runs on six hits over seven innings, as he was victimized by that one rough inning. Luke Scott was 2-4 in his rehab appearance.

Montgomery Biscuits 6, Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 2

The only game in baseball history to feature dueling nine inning no-hitters occurred in 1917 between Fred Toney and Hippo Vaughn. Last night, Montgomery starter Victor Mateo and Barons starter Jarrett Casey were looking to improve upon that, as they had dueling perfect games through three. That historical run ended in the fourth, as the Biscuits broke the scoreless tie when Shawn O’Malley led off the inning with a home run. Todd Glaesmann had a two run, two out double to extend the lead. After the Barons got a run back in the bottom of the inning, Delmon Young essentially put the game away in the fifth, clubbing a two run home run to put Birmingham on top 5-1. An insurance run in the eighth made sure that Mateo would be in line for the victory, as the Biscuits pulled away with the victory. Mateo allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits, striking out three in seven innings. Curt Casali was 2-3 with a double and a run scored.

Palm Beach Cardinals 4, Charlotte Stone Crabs 1

Charlotte starter Dylan Floro and Palm Beach starter Sam Gaviglio engaged in a pitcher’s duel last night, essentially matching one another pitch for pitch. Both teams scored in the fourth on groundouts, by the Cardinals Nick Longmire and the Rays got their run from Alejandro Segovia. The Cardinals broke the tie in the top of the eighth, scoring three runs on a sacrifice bunt and a two run single by Jesus Montero. The Stone Crabs were unable to get any closer, as the Cardinals came away with the win. Luis Cabrera took the loss, giving up three runs on five hits and four walk over three innings of relief. Charlotte only had five hits all game, all singles.

South Bend Silver Hawks (Diamondbacks) 9, Bowling Green Hot Rods 2

The Silver Hawks took the game to the Hot Rods early, scoring three in the second on two RBI singles and a run scoring error. After Andrew Toles had an RBI double in the top of the fifth to pull the Hot Rods within two, the Silver Hawks put the game away. Pedro Ruiz doubled with the bases loaded, and scored on a base hit by Fidel Pena. Bowling Green got another run back in the eighth on a single by Thomas Coyle, but it was not nearly enough as the Hot Rods fell to defeat. Blake Snell took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks in 3.1 innings. Toles was 2-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI and a run scored.

Hudson Valley Renegades 6, Aberdeen Ironbirds (Orioles) 5

After falling behind the Ironbirds, the Renegades appeared to break the game open. Hudson Valley loaded the bases in the top of the second, and John Alexander had a two run base hit to put the Renegades on the board. Another run scored on a sacrifice bunt, and Hudson Valley got another run in the third on another bases loaded single, this time by James Harris. An RBI single by Johnny Field and a run scoring double by Omar Narvaez appeared to put the Renegades comfortably ahead. However, the Ironbirds came back, scoring four runs in the seventh highlighted by a two run single by Mike Yastrzemski to cut the lead to one. Hudson Valley had a chance to add an insurance run after Harris tripled with one out, but was cut down at the plate on a fielder’s choice. However, that run ended up not mattering as the Renegades held on for the win. Chris Kirsch picked up the win, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks in 6.1 innings. Harris was 2-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Darryl George was 2-5 with two doubles.

Princeton Rays 8, Bristol White Sox 4

Typically, giving up runs in each of the first four innings is not conducive to winning baseball. Despite doing just that last night, the Rays managed to rally for the victory. David Garcia doubled and Chad Nacapoy singled to drive in runs in teh second, and Princeton scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to tie the game. The Rays took the lead for good in the seventh, getting a bases loaded walk to force in a run, and a wild pitch to bring in another run. Hunter Lockwood had a two run home run in the ninth to provide the final margin of victory for the Rays victory. Oscar Armenta picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief, giving up two hits while recording two strikeouts. Garcia was 2-3 with a double, two walks, two RBIs and a run scored.