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Stars Rally Falls Short to Smokies 3-2

May 29, 2012 - Southern League (SL) Huntsville Stars

KODAK, Tenn.- After letting a late-inning comeback fall short, the Huntsville Stars (28-23) fell to the Tennessee Smokies (22-30) 3-2 Tuesday night at Smokies Park.

The Smokies got on board in the first inning thanks to a pair of singles from shortstop Junior Lake and center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. Justin Bour drew a walk to advance the runners and set the stage for Rebel Ridling. The left fielder grounded into a force out to score Lake. The next batter flew out to center to end the inning.

Bats stayed quite on both sides until the bottom of the fifth when Tennessee would score its final two runs. Lake started off this offensive burst again, hitting a lead-off double. Second baseman Logan Watkins singled to advance Lake to third. Stars starting pitcher Evan Anundsen committed his first error of the season, a failed pickoff attempt, to allow Lake to cross the plate. Bour singled to center to put up the Smokies third and final run of the game.

In the seventh, the Stars offense woke up. After Smokies starter Nicholas Struck was replaced by reliever Alberto Cabrera, Kentrail Davis doubled down the left-field line to get a runner in scoring position. Catcher Anderson De La Rosa ground out to advance Davis. A strikeout by Lee Haydel scored Davis to get the Stars their first run.

In the eighth inning, Huntsville was on the offensive attack again. Center fielder Josh Prince got on base by a throwing error, eventually advancing to second on the play. After shortstop Tommy Manzella drew a walk, second baseman Scooter Gennett ground out to put Prince on third. Southern League double-leader Hunter Morris knocked his 20th double to bring home Prince and put the Stars within one of the Smokies. With runners on second and third, Domint Bolivar ground out setting the stage for Davis once again. He was intentionally walked by reliever Kevin Rhoderick to load the bases. Unfortunately, the threat didn't last for the Stars as the next batter, De La Rosa, ground out to end the inning.

For the Stars, Anundsen threw five innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits. He picked up his third loss of the season. Relievers Mitch Stetter and RJ Seidel each threw one scoreless inning of relief, giving up just one hit and striking out one each. Reliever Santo Manzanillo closed out the game, striking out two in one inning of work. He didn't allow a hit.

Offensively, Huntsville managed just six hits and went just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Gennett extended his hitting streak to 12 games with his 3-4 offensive performance tonight.

The Stars and Smokies continue the series tomorrow night with RHP Tyler Thornburg (6-0, 2.28 ERA) looking to continue his dominance for the Stars. He'll face RHP Dallas Beeler (1-4, 3.93 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. CST.

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Southern League Stories from May 29, 2012


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