Long Balls Break Up Close Game

Published on August 10, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


David Cook continued his offensive assault on Southern League pitching and Ryan Wing was outstanding for 5 2/3 innings in Birmingham's 6-2 win over Huntsville Friday night in the middle contest of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars saw their eight-game win streak came to an end, as they dropped to 30-18 in the second half, but they were able to maintain their three-game lead over Chattanooga, which fell at Montgomery, in the North Division, while the Barons improved to 21-27 in the second half and 53-65 overall.

Stars' starter Lindsay Gulin and Wing threw four scoreless innings before Adam Shabala hit a one-out home run in the fifth to give the Barons the lead. Chris Getz then reached on an infield single and Cook followed with a home run to right-center field just beyond the reach of a leaping center fielder Steve Moss to make it 3-0. Cook has collected six long balls, knocked in 14 and scored at least once in each of his eight games with the Barons. The visitors tacked on another run in the sixth when Gulin uncorked his third wild pitch of the night allowing Victor Merecedes to score from third base. The veteran southpaw was charged with four runs on seven hits over six innings and lost for the first time since June 11 at West Tenn to fall to 11-4, ending a personal seven-game win streak.

Wing retired 17 of the first 18 batters he faced before Moss doubled and scored on a Ryan Crew single with two outs in the sixth. Hernan Iribarren then reached on an infield single and Adam Heether walked to load the bases and chase Wing from the game. Adam Russell came on and got Lou Palmisano to ground into a force out at third to end the frame. Wing improved to 6-5 and has allowed one run in 10 2/3 innings over his two starts at the Joe this season.

The teams traded runs in the seventh inning and Mercedes' two-out single in the ninth off Vince Perkins plated Chris Kelly to account for the final margin. Oneli Perez tossed two shutout innings in relief of Russell to nail down his 13th save and help hold the Stars under ten hits for just a second time in the last eight games.

The series continues Saturday night with left-hander Steve Hammond taking the hill for Huntsville against Barons' right-hander Kyle McCulloch. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from August 10, 2007


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