Kremblas Stars in 5-4 Win

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


Huntsville, AL – 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.

Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at the Joe, the Stars and Bears complete a suspended game from April 24 in Mobile. The score is tied, 0-0, in the top of the seventh with Huntsville's Brandon Gemoll batting at a count of 1-2 with the bases empty and two outs. Twenty minutes after the conclusion of that game, the scheduled game begins with Stars righty Matt Parker (3-1, 1.96) facing Mobile lefty Cory Stewart (4-3, 2.93).



Southern League Stories from June 1, 2003


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