Stars Salvage Finale, Hold off BayBears' Late Rally
Published on August 16, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
MOBILE, Ala. - Interesting in the end, but the BayBears hung an 0-for-7 at the plate with runners in scoring position on Sunday night, falling to the Huntsville Stars 3-2 at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Trailing by only one entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Cyle Hankerd singled off the mitt of third baseman Taylor Green to start the frame against Rob Wooten (S, 8). With the outfield playing deep to protect against the extra-base hit, Bryan Byrne blooped a single over short to put the first two men on base.
Wooten buckled down, however, as he fanned Chris Rahl who couldn't get the sac bunt down. Yunesky Sanchez followed that by bouncing the first pitch he saw to short which turned into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.
The late threat was made possible by the BayBears (58-62, 21-29) putting up a pair in the bottom of the eighth to battle back from a 3-0 deficit. Evan Frey singled to lead off and stole second before taking third on a groundout. Frey scored on a wild pitch, uncorked by Wes Littleton, who then coughed up a one-out infield hit to Pedro Ciriaco. Ciriaco took second on an errant toss by Green and swiped third before a sac fly by Ricardo Sosa.
Huntsville (56-62, 18-31) lit the scoreboard in the fourth to grab the initial lead. Lorenzo Cain singled with one out and scored on a two-bagger by Drew Anderson. It was the only blemish for Barry Enright (8-8) who lasted just five innings because of a 28-minute rain delay after the fifth inning concluded. David Welch (7-8) also went just five as he shut down the BayBears on four singles.
Jordan Norberto spelled Enright in the sixth and coughed up a tater to Cain, giving the Stars a 2-0 lead. Anderson's RBI single in the seventh brought Freddy Parejo to the dish, but Shane Justis was gunned down at home as he also tried to score.
Kyler Newby was solid out of the BayBears' bullpen as he tossed a pair of scoreless innings to keep the BayBears within striking distance. Hallberg went 0-for-4 as he saw his hitting streak grounded at a team-high 17.
The Mobile BayBears have sent nearly 100 players to the major leagues. They hit the road to challenge the Mississippi Braves on Monday night at Trustmark Park. Right-hander Bryan Augenstein (5-0, 0.78) returns to the squad for a 7:05 start. The BayBears return home on Saturday, August 22 to host the Jacksonville Suns at 7:05. For Hank Aaron Stadium tickets, call (251) 479-BEAR or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com.
Southern League Stories from August 16, 2009
- Stars Salvage Finale, Hold off BayBears' Late Rally - Mobile BayBears
- Huntsville Heads Home After Beating BayBears - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits and Braves Rained Out Sunday - Montgomery Biscuits
- Mudcats Get Past Barons in Series Finale - Carolina Mudcats
- Sanchez to make major-league rehab start Monday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- BayBears Shut Down Stars for Third Straight Victory - Mobile BayBears
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