Hand Helps Stars Earn Series Split

Published on July 7, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Donovan Hand tossed a complete game to earn his first double-A win and Huntsville broke up open a close contest with a six-run seventh inning en route to a 9-2 victory over Birmingham Monday night in the last of a four-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars split the series to move to 10-10 in the second half and stay three behind North Division leading Tennessee, while the Barons dropped to 12-8 in the second half and into a first place tie with Mississippi in the South Division. Huntsville collected 13 hits after being held to a total of four runs on 15 hits in the first three games of the series.

Victor Mercedes' home run in the first inning staked the Barons to the lead, as they scored first in all four games and did so three times with a long ball. The Stars tied the game in the home first with an unearned run and moved ahead 2-1 in the second on Martin Maldonado's first home run at the double-A level and just the fourth allowed all season by starter Baron's Carlos Torres over 98 2/3 innings.

Lee Cruz led off the third inning with a long ball, his first at the double-A level, to tie the game before the Stars took the lead for good in the home half. Alcides Escobar started the inning with a double and scored one out later on Angel Salomes' two-base hit. Torres walked two to load the bases before striking out Maldonado to end the inning and his night after allowing three hits, walking three and striking out five.

Fernando Hernandez worked two scoreless innings and Joe Torres tossed a scoreless sixth before Shaun Babula was knocked around for six runs on seven hits in the seventh. The first five Stars' hitters of the frame all picked up a hit and scored, as Salome and Maldonado singled home runs and Freddy Parejo and Escobar each singled in a pair. The Stars strung together seven hits in the inning, their most in any single frame this season.

Hand allowed only four singles after the third inning and finished off his performance by striking out Stefan Gartrell and getting Javier Colina to ground out to end the game with runners at second and third. Hand allowed eight hits, walked one, struck out two and was aided by four inning-ending double plays. The Hatton, AL native recorded 15 ground ball outs in throwing the Stars third nine-inning complete game this season.

The Stars open a five-game series Tuesday night at Chattanooga with left-hander David Welch making the start against Lookouts' right-hander Jordan Smith. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 7, 2008


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