BayBears lose ground in loss to Stars
Published on August 16, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
Mobile, Ala. â The Mobile BayBears were at the point where a sweep of first place Huntsville was almost a must as they entered their four game series with the Stars. After dropping the opener 3-1 Saturday night in front of 5,913 fans at Hank Aaron Stadium, the BayBears have put themselves in a must win for the rest of the series, as the loss places Mobile five games back with 11 to play.
Huntsville's starting pitcher, Jason Shelley, made things difficult for Mobile, as he did not allow a hit until the bottom of the sixth. Shelley (3-0) earned the win as he threw eight solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out nine. BayBears starter Chris Oxspring (8-5) took the tough loss as he gave up only two runs (one earned) in six frames as he struck out seven.
Shelley helped himself in the second as he drove in Noochie Varner with a sacrifice fly. The Stars added a second run in the fourth. Oxspring had Stars Chris Barnwell picked off at second base but shortstop J.J. Furmaniak's throw to third went off of third baseman Bobby Scales glove, allowing Barnwell to score an unearned run.
The BayBears first hit, and only run, came in the bottom of the sixth. On the first pitch of the frame, Freddy Guzman hit a homerun over the wall in right. The solo shot was Guzman's first as a BayBear. The speedster also stole three bases on the night, giving him 31 as a BayBear and 80 overall on the year to lead all of professional baseball.
Huntsville added their third and final run in the top of the seventh off of reliever Alan Webb. Corey Hart extended his league-leading RBI total to 87 on the season as he drove in Dave Krynzel with a single up the middle.
The BayBears and Stars will play game two of their series Sunday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. Duncan McAdoo (4-7; 4.53) will get the start for Mobile against Huntsville's Jeff Housman (3-0; 1.14). First pitch is set for 7:05.
Southern League Stories from August 16, 2003
- BayBears lose ground in loss to Stars - Mobile BayBears
- Smokies Bounce Suns - Knoxville Smokies
- O-Rays Down Diamond Jaxx 10-3 - Orlando Rays
- Smokies beat Suns, 5-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Win Third Straight over Looks, 9-5 - Huntsville Stars
- Barons Bludgeon BayBears, 15-4 - Birmingham Barons
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