Another Win Moves Stars Closer to Smokies

Published on July 18, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Michael Garciaparra collected three hits and knocked in three runs and the bullpen threw four scoreless innings to preserve Huntsville's 6-4 win Friday night in the middle of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 16-12 in the second half and pulled to within a game of the North Division leading Smokies, who dropped to 17-11. The Stars have won nine of the 12 games between the teams this season.

Tennessee scored first for a third straight night, posting a run in the first inning against David Welch on a base hit by Tyler Colvin that delivered Matt Camp, who opened the game with a single and moved to second base on a walk to Nate Spears. The Stars avoided further damage in the inning when Spears was doubled off at second base on a Jake Fox liner to center field.

Fox legged out an infield hit with two outs in the third and scored on a double by Doug Deeds to give the Smokies a 2-0 edge for a third consecutive game. Huntsville responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good. Lorenzo Cain singled with one out, stole second and remained there when Mat Gamel walked with two outs before Angel Salome doubled off the wall in center field to chase home both runners to tie the score. Cole Gillespie legged out an infield hit, stole second base and scored with Salome on a base hit by Garciaparra, who knocked in the game winning runs for a second consecutive night and knocked starter James Russell out of the game. Garciaparra stole second and scored on a base hit by Freddy Parejo off of Matt Avery to complete the five-run frame.

Deeds' two-out, two-run home run in the fifth pulled the Smokies to within 5-4 and moved him a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Welch allowed his 13th long ball of the year and his ninth to a left-hand hitter. He was removed after five innings, giving up nine hits, walking one and striking out two to win for a ninth time on the season and for the first time in six starts dating to June 7. Steve Bray tossed three shutout innings behind Welch, allowing three hits and striking out two, before Juan Sandoval worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 12th save of the year and fourth against the Smokies.

The Stars tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on a two-out, run-scoring triple by Garciaparra, who had his fourth multi-RBI game in the last two series. Huntsville stranded a runner at third base in the sixth and seventh innings and could not score with runners at second and third and one out in the eighth.

The series continues Saturday with right-hander Nic Ungs making the start for the Stars against Smokies' southpaw Donnie Veal. 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 18, 2008


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