The Undercards: Taylor Motter Helps Montgomery Biscuits Plate 14

While the big club came back to beat the Rangers, it was a mixed night down on the farm in the Rays system. The Durham Bulls’ loss dropped their record to 1-2, the first time the team has been under .500 since 2012.  In Double-A, the Montgomery Biscuits beat the Birmingham Barons 14-7 in a slugfest without a single homer being hit. Charlotte and Bowling Green did not mount much of an offense and both teams lost.

Triple-A International League: Gwinnett Braves 4, Durham Bulls 1

In Durham, Matt Andriese allowed a three run homer to Mark Hamilton in the third inning which gave the Braves all the runs they needed. Daniel Rodriguez stymied Bulls hitters, striking out nine over five innings of work. The Bulls rallied in the fifth when Rodriguez walked Jerry Sands and gave up a single to Kevin Kiermaier that put runners on first and second with no outs. Ray Olmedo‘s sacrifice bunt moved both runners up and Eddy Rodriguez’s ground out to the right side brought in Sands and moved Kiermaier to third, but that’s where he stayed when Robby Price struck out looking. That was all the scoring for the Bulls on the night. Jeff Beliveau replaced Andriese in the top of the sixth and pitched two scoreless innings. C.J. Riefenhauser came on in the 8th and gave up a solo homer to Ernesto Meija, but pitched a scoreless ninth.

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 14, Birmingham Barons 7.

The Biscuits won their second game in a slugfest to move to 2-1 for the year. Biscuits starter Jared Mortensen gave up three runs in the top of the first, but the Biscuits rallied for five in their half of the frame. Taylor Motter singled, stole second, and went to third on a Willie Argo single. Cameron Seitzer then drove him in for the first run with a single. A walk to Richie Shaffer drove in another run, and a double by Alejandro Segovia drove in two more. After Mortenson gave up two more runs in the top of the second to tie the game, Andrew Bellatti replaced him. Bellatti allowed a sacrifice fly and then struck out Josh Richmond to end the rally. Bellatti would allow just 1 more run in 3.2 innings, earning the win. Jake Thompson and Matt Ramsey both pitched scoreless innings, and Sam Runion allowed one unearned run in his two innings. Meanwhile, the Biscuit hitters kept pounding Baron pitchers. Taylor Motter went 3-5 with 2 runs scored and is batting .455 for the young season and catcher Curt Casali was 3-3 and led the team with 4 RBI for the night. First baseman Cameron Seitzer continues to show promise, going 3-6 with 3 RBI. Both Casali and Seitzer are hitting .400 for the Biscuits after this game.

High-A Florida State League: Bradenton Marauders 4, Charlotte Stone Crabs 2

Bradenton pitchers John Kuchno, Pat Ludwig, and Josh Smith muffled Stone Crab hitters as Charlotte took their second loss of the season to fall to 1-2. Neither of the Stone Crab runs were earned, as muffs by Marauder fielders allowed Kes Carter of the Stone Crabs to reach base in the 7th and 8th innings. Extending those innings allowed the Stone Crabs to tally one run in each frame, but that was all the offense for the night. Jeff Ames allowed three runs in 5.1 innings of work, and Ryan Garton allowed one in 2.2 innings. Andrew Toles showcased his speed, stealing second and third in the 8th inning and scoring when Carter reached on an error.

Low-A Midwest League: South Bend Silver Hawks 2, Bowling Green Hot Rods 0.

Bowling Green suffered their first defeat of the season tonight to drop their record to 2-1. After South Bend scored in the top of the first, Bowling Green loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on a Johnny Field single, an error by third baseman Joe Munoz that put Oscar Hernandez on, and a single by Yoel Araujo. South Bend brought the infield in and Tyler Young hit a grounder to George Roberts at first base, who forced out Field at the plate. Alexander Simon flied out to end the inning. That was the last significant offensive threat the Hot Rods mounted in the game, as their only other hit was a Pat Blair single. Christopher Kirsch took the loss for Bowling Green, although he gave up just one hit and one run in 5 innings, striking out six while walking just one. Luis Cabrera gave up one run in three innings, and Colton Reavis pitched a scoreless ninth.