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Kremblas' Single in 11th Seals Win

June 1, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


When he arrived in Huntsville, catcher Mike Kremblas carried the burden of being the younger brother of the Stars' skipper. Add to that the task of replacing Brian Moon, a four-year Star beloved by Huntsville fans, and the desire to impress Milwaukee officials who signed him after his release by Oakland. If Kremblas felt some extra pressure, he would be only human.

On Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium, Kremblas might have finally removed that weight. With Huntsville trailing 4-1 in the seventh, Kremblas' bases-loaded single brought the Stars within a run. His two-out, ninth-inning single tied the game, 4-4, then Kremblas delivered an 11th-inning hit that scored Daryl Clark for a 5-4 victory over Mobile (21-31). With the win, first-place Huntsville (29-23) moved two games in front of Birmingham in the Southern League West Division.

Huntsville was down 4-0 entering the seventh, and Mobile starter Duncan McAdoo was in command. He fanned Noochie Varner to start the frame, but J.J. Hardy drew a one-out walk. After striking out Brandon Gemoll, his season-high ninth of the game, McAdoo surrendered Ryan Gripp's two-out single. Lefty Alan Webb entered to face left-handed hitting Daryl Clark, who walked on five pitches. Richard Paz drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in the Stars' first run. Then Kremblas blooped a single to right-center, plating Gripp and Clark to make it 4-3.

In the ninth, Gripp led off with a walk against Mike Bumstead, who then struck out Clark. Richard Paz hit a potential game-ending double-play ball, but Jake Gautreau booted it before retiring Paz at first. Kremblas seized the opportunity, grounding a single up the middle to score pinch-runner Chris Barnwell for a 4-4 tie.

Finally in the 11th, Brad Baker walked Clark with one out. Paz followed with another walk to set the stage again for Kremblas. On a 1-1 pitch, the runners took off on Baker's delivery. Kremblas smacked a sharp single to right, scoring Clark from second with the winning run.

Stars closer Mike Adams (2-3) picked up his second win, allowing one hit and one walk while fanning two over two scoreless innings of relief. Baker (1-5) suffered his fifth loss, permitting one run on one hit and two walks in the 11th.

Parker Named SL Pitcher of the Week

Huntsville Stars pitcher Matt Parker was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week for May 23-29. He becomes the third Star to be so honored this season, joining Luis Martinez and Mike Jones.

Parker garnered the award after picking up two wins. The righthander notched a victory against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx on May 23, pitching 1.2 innings, surrendering no runs on no hits. He authored another win in his first start of the season, beating the Birmingham Barons on May 27 with five strong innings, surrendering no runs on one hit.

For the week, the 24-year-old pitched 6.2 innings, surrendering no runs on one hit while striking out three and walking three. The St. Louis Cardinals originally selected Parker in the 31st round of the June 1999 draft out of Mercer University before he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2000. He resides in Hartsfield, GA.

Stars Acquire Varner

Milwaukee added outfielder Gary Varner to the Stars' roster, effective Thursday, May 29. To make room for Varner, Milwaukee released right-handed reliever Matt Hammons. The Brewers acquired Varner on Tuesday with left-handed pitcher Chad Petty in a deal that sent outfielder Alex Sanchez to Detroit.

Varner, 22, was with Double-A Erie in the Eastern League, where he batted .303 in 44 games with three homers and 30 runs batted in. Last year, Varner was named to Baseball America's Low-A all-star team and the Midwest League's post-season all-star team. He led the Midwest League with 247 total bases and finished seventh with a .305 batting average. Varner was originally a 10th-round choice in the 2000 June draft.



Southern League Stories from June 1, 2003


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