Gripp HR Sparks Stars in 6-2 Win

April 29, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – With J.J. Hardy and Corey Hart not in Tuesday's lineup, the Stars looked elsewhere for offense. Ryan Gripp gave Hart a day off at third and took full advantage, slamming a go-ahead homerun in Huntsville's 6-2 win over Greenville at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars (15-10) have won 10 of their last 14 games and hold first place in the Southern League West Division.

Gripp had gone without a base hit since April 19, and his last multi-hit game was April 15. He took care of both on Tuesday afternoon. With Huntsville trailing 1-0 in the sixth, Braves starter Brett Evert appeared to tire. He plunked Ryan Knox to lead off the inning, then Brandon Gemoll singled to left-center. Knox raced to third when outfielder Ryan Langerhans mishandled Gemoll's base hit. Gripp jumped on Evert's first pitch, ripping a three-run homer to left, his first of the season. Gripp added a single to finish 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored.

The Stars put the game away in the eighth against Braves reliever Kazuhiro Takeoka. With one out, Gemoll singled and Gripp followed with a base hit. Richard Paz lashed a double to right-center, scoring both Gemoll and Gripp. Joel Alvarado made it 6-1 with a run-scoring single.

Derek Lee (3-0) won his third straight decision, tossing three scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit and one walk with five strikeouts. Evert (1-3) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits while fanning four and walking one over five-plus innings. Stars starter Ben Diggins authored five solid innings, permitting one run on six hits and three walks while fanning four.

Huntsville takes Wednesday off before resuming play Thursday against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Lefty Luis Martinez (3-1, 0.31) meets Lookouts righty Josh Hall (1-3, 3.41) in the opener of a four-game series. Game time is 7:05 p.m. on Mayberry Night at Joe Davis Stadium.



Southern League Stories from April 29, 2003


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