Gemoll's Blast Propels Stars to 5-3 Win
July 5, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release
Huntsville, AL â With fireworks following the game, over 9500 fans were not deterred by a little rain. Following a sixth-inning delay of 36 minutes â with Huntsville trailing, 3-1 â the first pyrotechnics came from Brandon Gemoll. The Stars' first baseman launched a game-tying two-run homer that sparked Huntsville to a 5-3 win over Mobile (8-7, 37-46) on Independence Day at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars (9-6, 49-34) took sole possession of first place in the Southern League West second-half standings.
Stars lefty Luis Martinez fanned six while retiring 12 straight batters to start the game, and his second-inning bases-loaded walk put Huntsville up, 1-0. In the fourth, Martinez issued a pair of walks to set the table for Humberto Quintero, the Bay Bears' hot-hitting catcher. On Martinez's 1-1 offering, Quintero poked a bloop-single down the rightfield line, scoring Jon Knott and sending Vince Faison to third. When Quintero broke for second on a late throw to the plate, catcher Mike Kremblas tried to gun him down. Kremblas' throw sailed into centerfield, and Faison raced home. Martinez walked pitcher Chris Oxspring, and Todd Donovan hit a dunker to left that plated Quintero for a 3-1 Bears lead.
After the delay in the middle of the sixth, Huntsville rallied against Bears reliever Mike Bumstead. Richard Paz looped a single to right, then Gemoll crushed Bumstead's 1-0 pitch deep to right-center for his ninth homerun and first since June 6. Mike Kremblas drew a walk and Ryan Gripp delivered a pinch-single. Ryan Knox singled on the infield to load the bases, then Noochie Varner struck out. J.J. Hardy hit a pop-up to right that fell in, and Kremblas scored as Knott forced out Knox at second from rightfield. The Stars got an insurance run in the eighth when Varner singled and scored on Hardy's double into the rightfield corner.
Martinez (8-4) picked up his eighth win, giving up three runs on just two hits and four walks while fanning nine, two off his career high, over six innings. Bumstead (0-2) took the loss after failing to retire a batter in the sixth, allowing four hits, one walk and three runs in the sixth. Matt Parker notched his fourth save, permitting three hits and one walk with three strikeouts in three frames.
Huntsville and Mobile play the second of a three-game series Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars match righty Pedro Liriano (5-8, 3.16) against Bears lefty Cory Stewart (7-5, 3.32). Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Famous Chicken entertains throughout the game, and Skydive Alabama delivers the ceremonial first pitch.
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Southern League Stories from July 5, 2003
- Barons Eclipse Suns, 7-2 - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears win to move back into first - Mobile BayBears
- Mudcats Rout Rays 15-4 - Orlando Rays
- Smokies Clip G-Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Top G-Braves 7-4 - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons beat Suns, 7-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Gemoll's Blast Propels Stars to 5-3 Win - Huntsville Stars
- Suns Outlast Barons, 12-7 - Birmingham Barons
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