Caridad Silences Stars in Tennessee Win

Published on July 16, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Esmailin Caridad worked seven scoreless innings to pitch Tennessee past Huntsville 3-1 Wednesday night in the opener of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Smokies improved to 17-9 in the second half and pushed the Stars to 14-11 and to three behind in the North Division pennant race. The Smokies have won three of the last five meetings after being swept in the first five-game encounter in mid-May.

Matt Camp led off the fourth inning with a single, moved to second base on a Nate Spears sacrifice bunt and scored the games' first run on a single by Tyler Colvin, who moved to second base on the throw home. Jake Fox followed with a base hit to plate Colvin to extend the lead to 2-0.

Stars' starter Brae Wright kept the visitors off the board over the next four frames and took the hard-luck loss after matching a season-high with eight innings of work, during which he allowed seven hits, walked two and equaled a season-high with seven strikeouts, set against the Smokies on May 13. Wright was aided by four inning-ending double play balls but fell to 6-8 on the season.

Caridad stranded runners at second and third in the fourth by getting JR Hopf to fly out and ended his performance by setting down the last five batters he faced. He gave up four hits, struck out two and walked one to improve to 4-1 and beat a team other than West Tenn for the first time.

Lorenzo Cain led off the home eighth against Jose Ceda with a double and scored on a two-out single by Alcides Escobar that cut the lead to 2-1. Mat Gamel singled to push Escobar to third base but the rally ended when Angel Salome flied out. Jake Fox doubled with one out in the ninth against Jason Shiell, stole third and scored to make it 3-1 when Hopf at first base could not cleanly field a Doug Deeds ground ball. Ceda then retired the side in order in the home ninth to end the game and earn his sixth save.

The series continues Thursday with left-hander Troy Cate making the start for the Stars against Smokies' southpaw James Russell. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 16, 2008


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