Biscuits open '23 season in record fashion with a win over Pensacola

STAFF REPORT

PENSACOLA, Flo. – On a night when the Pensacola Blue Wahoos received their 2022 championship rings, the Montgomery Biscuits (1-0) set a team record with eight stolen bases in a 6-1 victory on Opening Day at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Greg Jones (3), Ronny Simon (2), Mason Auer (1), Blake Hunt (1), and Tristan Peters (1) stole their way into the record books as the Biscuits improved to 8-11 on Opening Day all-time. The Butter and Blue have won the last five season openers.

In what was the same pitching matchup as the Biscuits final playoff game in 2022, Miami Marlins No. 4 prospect Dax Fulton (0-1) squared off against Tampa Bay Rays No. 6 prospect Mason Montgomery. After the two southpaws exchanged scoreless firsts, the Biscuits drew first blood in the top of the second. Blake Hunt lined an RBI-single to left to make it 1-0 Biscuits.

In the top of the third, Jones reached on a fielding error by Pensacola first baseman Troy Johnston. Jones stole second, followed by third, and scored on a throwing error brought to make it 2-0.

Jose Devers got the Wahoos on the board in the third, but in the top of the sixth, Auer scored on an RBI single to give the Biscuits a 3-1 lead.

The Biscuits added three more runs in the top of the ninth off Sean Reynolds courtesy of RBI-singles from Jones and Ronny Simon, and then a Peters RBI-groundout, to make it a 6-1 contest. Michael Mercado worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the victory.

The Biscuits will send Anthony Molina to the mound for his Double-A debut Saturday at 6:05 p.m.

The Biscuits open the home season at Riverwalk Stadium with a six-game series against the Tennessee Smokies on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m..