Big Innings Push Stars Past Smokies

Published on July 17, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Troy Cate worked seven solid innings and benefited from a pair of four run frames in Huntsville's 9-3 win over Tennessee Thursday night in the second of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 15-12 in the second half and pulled to within two games of the North Division leading Smokies, who dropped to 17-10. The Stars have won eight of the 11 games between the teams this season.

For a second straight night the game was scoreless through three innings before the Smokies posted a pair of runs in the fourth. Tyler Colvin and Doug Deeds singled and came into score on a Wellington Castillo double. Huntsville responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good.

Alcides Escobar was hit by Grant Johnson to open the frame, advanced to second on an infield hit by Mat Gamel and moved to third base when Angel Salome walked to fill the bases. Cole Gillespie hit what looked like it was going to be a sacrifice fly to center field until Colvin lost it in the changing night sky and overran the ball, allowing it to drop for a two-run single to tie the game. Salome and Gillespie advanced on a Mike Bell sacrifice bunt and scored on a two-out single by Michael Garciaparra.

Salome's single with the bases loaded in the fifth brought home two runs to make it 6-2. On the play, Gamel rounded the bag at second base and third baseman Josh Lansford threw wildly past the bag at second in an attempt to get him going back, allowing Gamel to score and Salome to reach third. Johnson was then lifted from the game and replaced by Mark Holliman, who uncorked a wild pitch to allow Salome to score to make it 8-2. Johnson was charged with the loss in his first double-A start, allowing six earned runs, seven hits and walking two to fall to 1-2.

Bell's throwing error in the seventh allowed Lansford to score to make it 9-3 before Cate closed his performance, giving up seven hits, striking out two and not walking a batter. The veteran left-hander improved to 3-0 and wound up stranding a runner in each of his last six innings, including a runner at second in each of the last three. David Johnson worked a shutout eighth inning to extend his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 15 1/3 and Juan Sandoval retired the side in order in the ninth with three ground ball outs.

The series continues Friday with left-hander David Welch 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 17, 2008


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