Homer Happy Huntsville Wins Again

May 12, 2008 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Four different players hit home runs, as Huntsville's power onslaught continued in a 9-7 victory over Tennessee Monday night in the middle of a five-game set at Smokies' Park. The Stars improved to 27-11 overall, climbed to 10-8 on the road and temporarily moved to three and a half games in front of West Tenn in the North Division, while the Smokies fell to 15-23. Huntsville has totaled 31 runs on 43 in the first three games of the series.

Tyler Colvin's solo home run with two out in the home first gave the Smokies their first lead of the series, which lasted for an inning and a half. Michael Brantley's run-scoring single in the top of the third tied the game and a Mat Gamel sacrifice fly gave the Stars their first lead at 2-1. However, the Huntsville advantage didn't hold for very long, as Colvin clubbed a three-run home run to right field in the bottom of the frame to give the Smokies a 4-2 edge.

The Stars answered right back in the fourth and tied the game on Cole Gillespie's two-run, his seventh of the season, to straightaway center field off starter Mark Holliman. Huntsville then took the lead for good two batters later when Mike Bell belted an 0-2 offering over the wall in left field for his fourth home run, three of which have been hit on the road. Huntsville has now hit 41 long balls in 38 games after hitting only 73 all of last year.

Alcides Escobar led off the fifth with another home run to straight away center field, his third of the season, to make it 6-4 before Chris Errecart blasted a two-run homer to dead center to knock Holliman out of the game after he had allowed eight runs on 10 hits. Huntsville has now hit 41 long balls in 38 games after hitting only 73 all of last year.

Welch worked around a leadoff double by Doug Deeds in the fourth and a one-out two-bagger by Colvin in the fifth and was lifted after five frames, giving up four runs on nine hits. He won his third straight decision to match teammates Steve Hammond and Sam Narron with his league-high fifth win.

David Johnson retired the side in order in the sixth before giving up three runs in the seventh on a Nate Spears run-scoring triple, a Colvin sacrifice fly and a Jake Fox home run. Joe Bateman took over in the eighth and worked a scoreless inning before Juan Sandoval closed the door with a shutout ninth inning to earn his third save. The Smokies managed 14 hits after being held to just nine combined in the first two games.

The series continues Tuesday night with left-hander Brae Wright taking the mound against Smokies' southpaw James Russell. 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.



Southern League Stories from May 12, 2008


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