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Braves Battle Through Wind and Rain to Beat Stars

July 17, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Brett Butts scored the game winning run in the bottom of the eleventh inning on an infield pop up in the rain that was not caught, as Mississippi outlasted Huntsville 5-4 Thursday night in the second of a five-game set at Trustmark Park. The Braves improved to 9-13 in the second half and 40-52 overall, while the Stars slipped to 9-13 in the second half and 47-44 overall. The start of the game was delayed because of rain for an hour and 48 minutes.

Butts, the winning pitcher, singled with one out in the 11th and moved to second on a check-swing infield single by Matt Young before Kody Kirkland flied out for the second out of the frame. Jason Heyward then skied a pop up towards third base that Taylor Green could not make the catch on after fighting the driving rain blowing across the field from left to right. Casey Baron, who opened the inning on the hill, suffered the loss to fall to 4-5 on the season, as the Braves won their third straight against the Stars after dropping the first four in the season series.

Trailing 4-1, the Stars loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before left-hander Tommy Palica was called on to face Adam Stern. The left-hand swinging outfielder lifted a fly ball to left field that Concepcion Rodriguez, fighting a stiff breeze blowing from left to right, got his glove on but couldn't wrap up as all three runners scored to tie the game.

Young led off the home first against Mike Jones with a single and came in to score on a triple by Kody Kirkland, who would score to give the Braves a 2-0 lead when Jones uncorked his first wild pitch with the Stars. The Braves added to their lead in the home third when Heyward doubled with two outs and scored on a base hit by Freddie Freeman, who knocked in his third run of the series.

Braves' starter Ryne Reynoso allowed only three singles, walked three and fanned three over 6 2/3 scoreless innings of work. He struck out Yohannis Perez with two runners on base to end the second inning and was lifted with two runners on and replaced by Jerome Gamble, who got Perez to fly out to end the seventh inning.

The visitors finally got on the board in the eighth inning against Brian Dumensil when Shane Justis led off with a pinch-hit double that Heyward lost in the lights. Stern followed with a single before Chuck Caufield struck out for the first out of the frame. Drew Anderson then smashed a fly ball into the gap in right-center field that was hauled in on a fine running grab by Heyward, allowing Justis to score to cut the lead to 3-1.

Jones settled in and wound up throwing seven innings and recording 11 ground ball outs, giving him 23 over his last two starts. He allowed eight hits, did not walk a batter and fanned five in matching his longest outing of the season. Rob Wooten took over for Jones and gave up a long ball to Heyward leading off in the eighth that increased the Braves lead to 4-1 and ended a stretch of 126 frames without a home run for the home team dating back to June 22. It was Heyward's first at the double-A level and gave him eight extra-base hits in his ten games with the Braves.

The series continues Friday night with Stars left-hander Sam Narron taking the hill against Braves' right-hander Jeff Lyman. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.



Southern League Stories from July 17, 2009


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