BISCUIT CRUMBS: Pitcher Rayner Oliveros now among the injured [Montgomery Advertiser, Ala.]

Aug. 27--Montgomery pitcher Rayner Oliveros, scheduled to start in Thursday's game against the Diamond Jaxx, is the latest Biscuit to be sidelined by injuries.

Oliveros was scratched from the lineup after he experienced tightness in his upper back during the Biscuits' recent road trip to Huntsville and is not expected to return this season.

"I'm not optimistic that he's going to be able to start again (this season)," said Montgomery manager Billy Gardner Jr. "If I was a betting man, I would bet against him pitching again this season."

Oliveros joins fellow pitchers Justin Garcia and David Newmann on the sidelines. Those two pitchers are on the disabled list along with shortstop Chris De La Cruz.

"The swelling (in Garcia's elbow) has minimized," Gardner said. "But he's not going to pitch the rest of the year.

"I'm not counting on (De La Cruz) to come back, either. I don't think there's anybody on the DL that I can say will be back. Newmann's the one guy that might be back."

Newcomers spark Biscuit offense

The Biscuits' offensive woes are well documented, with the Southern League's worst offensive team hitting just .247 this season.

The Biscuits managed nine hits, all singles, in Thursday's 2-0 win and more than half of them came from the team's two newest position players.

Infielder Mike Folli, purchased from the Cardinals on Aug. 4, went 1-for-2, driving in both of Montgomery's runs in the fourth on a single past first base and drawing a walk in the sixth. Folli started his Biscuits' career at third but has played the last several games at shortstop.

First baseman Jose Ruiz went 4-for-4 on Thursday and scored the game's first run in the fourth. Ruiz was promoted from the Rays' Dominican Summer League on Aug. 12 to replace Leslie Anderson after Anderson was promoted to Triple-A Durham.

Family Faith Night tonight at Riverwalk

The Biscuits will hold the second of two "Family Faith Nights" tonight at Riverwalk Stadium, welcoming fans from area churches.

The festivities include a pre-game concert starting at 6:05 p.m. on the third-base side of the field by Rush of Fools,a Christian rock and contemporary band from Birmingham featuring lead singer Wes Willis. The band is best known for its 2007 hit "Undo."

The concert means the Biscuits' game won't actually start until 7:30 p.m.

NUMBERS GAME

0: Hits by leadoff batter Emeel Salem on Thursday. The Biscuits' outfielder went 0-for-5 on Wednesday and continued his slump (0-for-4) on Thursday, striking out twice and grounding into a double play. He has just four hits in his last 34 official at-bats.

1: Runs surrendered by the Biscuits' bullpen in the last 27 innings, a string of six games. Reliever Sergio Espinosa surrendered an eight-inning run to the Stars on Wednesday, the first runs allowed since Espinosa was battered by the Lookouts a week ago.

6: Home games remaining in the 2010 season. The Biscuits have three more with West Tenn, an off day, then three with Huntsville before going on the road for their final four games.

15: Shutouts by the Biscuits this season, which leads the Southern League.

ATTENDANCE

Thursday: 3,110

Season total (61 dates): 243,781 (3,996 average)

2009 (58 dates): 238,785 (3,915 average)

TODAY'S GAME

West Tenn

7:30 p.m.

The Biscuits play the second game of a four-game home stand against West Tenn with reliever-turned-starter Paul Phillips (5-2, 3.98 ERA) taking the mound against left-hander Jimmy Gilheeney (0-0, 8.31) of the Diamond Jaxx.

Phillips threw five scoreless innings, allowing only a bunt single, in a win at home on Sunday. Making only the second start in his six-year professional career, Phillips struck out four and walked none. Gilheeney pitched 4.1 innings on Saturday, giving up five hits and four runs but failing to get a decision in a 6-5 win over Jacksonville.

BISCUITS' NEXT 5 GAMES

Saturday: West Tenn, 7:05 p.m.

Sunday: West Tenn, 2:05 p.m.

Tuesday: Huntsville, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday: Huntsville, 7:05 p.m.

Thursday: Huntsville, 7:05 p.m.

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