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Hammond Handles Bat, Hurls Stars to Victory

August 6, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Steve Hammond worked seven strong innings and chipped in with a big two-run double to pitch and swing Huntsville past Mississippi 5-3 on a hot and steamy Monday night in the fourth game of a five-game set at Trustmark Park. The Stars improved to 27-17 in the second half and maintained their two and a half game lead over Chattanooga in the North Division, while the Braves slumped to 14-30 in the second half and to 56-58 overall after winning the first half South Division title. The Stars clinched a victory in the season series with their sixth win in nine games and improved to 31-26 on the road.

Lou Palmisano singled with one out in the second inning, moved to second base on a walk to Brendan Katin and scored on a base hit to left field by Steve Moss to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. Alcides Escobar singled to load the bases before Hammond ripped a 1-0 offering from Kelvin Villa into the alley in left-center field to plate Katin and Moss to increase the lead to 3-0. Shortstop Diory Hernandez's relay throw to second base to try to cut down a sliding Hammond was an errant one, allowing Escobar to score and Hammond to advance to third. The Stars put together their second four-run second inning rally against in as many starts against Villa, who suffered the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in four frames. The Braves' bullpen trio of Michael Nix, Rich Scalamandre and Jose Ascanio allowed only one hit over the last five frames and struck out nine.

Carl Loadenthal doubled with two outs in the third and scored on an infield hit by Diory Hernandez to trim the Huntsville lead to 4-1. Isaiah Ka'aihue then walked and Josh Burrus hit a fly ball to left field that should have been the third out of the inning but was instead lost in the changing night sky by Ryan Crew and fell in for a double that chased home Hernandez to cut the visitors' advantage to 4-2. Hammond worked out of further trouble by fanning Matt Young to end the inning.

Hammond reached on a looping single to center field with two outs in the fourth, stole second, his third steal of the season, stayed put when Iribarren walked and then scored on a single by Ryan Crew to make it 5-2. Hammond finished with two hits and two knocked in after entering the game with three hits and one RBI in 25 tries.

The Stars' southpaw improved to 7-7 after allowing two runs on seven hits, while walking two and fanning five. Robert Hinton worked a perfect eighth inning before Luis Pena gave up a two-out run in the ninth on a double by Van Pope but retired Clint Sammons to end the game and record his third save in the series.

The series concludes Tuesday night with left-hander Sam Narron taking the hill for the Stars against Braves' left-hander Francisely Bueno. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com



Southern League Stories from August 6, 2007


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