Braves Break Open Close Game Late to Beat Stars

Published on August 8, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Kyle Cofield worked six solid innings and a seven-run eighth inning broke open a close game in Mississippi's 9-1 victory over Huntsville Saturday night in the second of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Braves have taken the first two games to improve to 21-21 in the second half and 52-60 overall, while the Stars dropped a fifth straight to fall to 15-27 in the second half and 53-58 overall. The Stars have fallen in ten of their last 11 games and are 20-27 at home.

The Stars loaded the bases in the home second on a single and two walks but Cofield worked out of trouble by getting Adam Stern to ground into an inning-ending double play. The Braves strung together three singles to load the bases with one out in the third before Stars' starter Nick Green was able to escape any damage when Brandon Hicks lined into an inning-ending double play.

Jason Heyward led off the fourth inning with a single and scored the game's first run on a two-out double by Eric Campbell. The Braves added a run in the sixth when Campbell singled home Freddie Freeman with two outs to knock Green out of the game after the right-hander had allowed seven hits, walked one and fanned four. Green has lost both of his starts with the Stars.

Cofield had retired 10 straight Huntsville hitters until Shane Justis led off the home sixth with a double, moved to third base on a ground ball out and scored on a wild pitch. The right-hander was lifted after allowing three hits, walking three and fanning three. Cofield beat the Stars for a second time this season and raised his record to 8-3. Deunte Heath, Jerome Gamble and Kevin Gunderson blanked Huntsville on one hit over the final three innings, as the home side collected only two hits after the second inning.

Juan Sandoval's two-run throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt sparked the Braves' rally in the eighth, as the visitors scored seven times with three hits, three errors, three walks, a hit batter and three fielder's choice grounders. Matt Young collected three hits and walked twice and has reached base in nine of his 12 plate appearances in the series. Campbell, Kody Kirkland, Phillip Britton and Heyward each added two hits as part of a 14-hit attack. The Braves have totaled 27 hits in the first two games.

The series continues Sunday afternoon with right-hander Mark Holliman taking the hill for the Stars against Braves' southpaw Jose Ortegano. Coverage of the game begins at 12:45 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from August 8, 2009


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