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Jones Stars in Huntsville's 2-0 Loss

May 10, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – Some questioned if he was ready for Double-A baseball at 19 years of age. Mike Jones jumped two levels when he broke camp this spring with the Huntsville Stars.

Having never pitched above low-A Beloit in his professional career, Jones had to prove himself against Southern League hitters. After Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium, there are few questions left. The Stars (21-13) lost to Tennessee (22-13), 2-0, but a star is definitely in the making. Huntsville's four-game winning streak was snapped, but the Stars maintained a four-game lead in the Southern League West.

Milwaukee's 2001 first-round pick, Jones dazzled the Smokies for eight shutout innings, allowing just two singles and three walks while fanning six. Over his last three outings, Jones has thrown 20 consecutive scoreless innings. The last run he allowed was a first-inning, leadoff homer by Ryan Langerhans on April 27 at the Joe.

On Friday, Jones was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for May 2-8 after throwing seven scoreless, two-hit innings with eight strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Chattanooga on May 2. Somehow, Jones topped that effort, requiring just 92 pitches to navigate eight innings, the longest outing for a Star this season. Jones celebrated his 20th birthday on April 23, and he has allowed just one run since.

Saturday, Tennessee starter Nick Stocks was equally dominant, tossing seven shutout innings, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out seven. Juan Figueroa (3-0) picked up the win for the Smokies with one harrowing, scoreless inning of relief. Michael Lyons notched his 12th save, allowing only a walk in the ninth. Ryan Miller (0-1) suffered the loss after surrendering three hits and two runs in the ninth.

Tennessee scored twice in the ninth as Huntsville committed two of its four errors in the game. Dan Moylan bunted for a hit and took second on Miller's throwing error. Bucky Jacobsen, a member of the Stars for parts of the last four seasons, blooped a single into right-center to plate Moylan. Scott Krause singled to left to put runners at first and second. Papo Bolivar followed with a bouncer to second, where Paz fielded and stepped on second. His throw to first was in the dirt, and the ball kicked away for an error that allowed Jacobsen to score.

The Stars match right-hander Ben Hendrickson (1-1, 6.00), returning from forearm soreness for his first start since April 9, against Smokies righty Jeremy Cummings (4-2, 3.34) on Sunday at Joe Davis Stadium. Game time is 2:05 p.m. as Sabghi's presents the Mother's Day Diamond Dig, with other great gifts from Bishop's Flowers and The Gift Connection.

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