Lookouts Salvage Finale, 9-4

June 8, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – In a series full of comebacks, it was Chattanooga's turn. The Lookouts (28-34) rebounded from an early 3-0 deficit, scoring seven unanswered runs in a 9-4 win over first-place Huntsville (35-25) on Sunday at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars' magic number for clinching the Southern League West first-half title shrunk to four with West Tenn's doubleheader sweep of Birmingham.

Trailing 3-0 in the sixth, Chattanooga exploded with some help from the sun. After Stephen Smitherman's one-out bloop-single, Alejandro Diaz hit a high fly ball to right. Noochie Varner battled the sun but could not find the ball. An easy out turned into a base hit, and the Lookouts took full advantage. Following Mark Schramek's flyout that would have ended the inning, Creighton Gubanich ripped a two-run double to right-center. Brian Peterson walked and Guy Senjem delivered a pinch-hit, three-run homer for a 7-3 Lookouts lead.

Huntsville drew no closer than 7-4 as Chattanooga's bullpen closed out the win. Five Lookouts relievers combined to allow just one run on three hits over the final four innings. After Brett Gray permitted three singles in the sixth, but Tim Adkins came on with one out and retired two straight batters, permitting one inherited runner to score. Kris Keller, Scott Dunn and David Gil finished the game with one scoreless frame apiece.

John Koronka (5-5) picked up his fifth win, permitting three runs, two earned, on six hits and three walks while fanning two over five frames. Stars lefty Luis Martinez (5-4) suffered his fourth loss, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The loss marked the second time in three starts Martinez has allowed seven earned runs. He sandwiched a complete-game victory in between.

Corey Hart paced the Stars' offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in. Ryan Knox finished 1-for-3 with a bunt-single, two walks, two stolen bases and one run scored. Dave Krynzel had a single, stole two bases and scored twice, and J.J. Hardy singled and drove in a run. Ryan Gripp singled, walked and scored a run, and Richard Paz was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks.

Huntsville now travels to Birmingham for the first of a four-game series with Barons. The Stars' Pedro Liriano (4-6, 2.83) taked the mound in the opener Monday night at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Game time is 7:00 p.m., and the Bill Penney Toyota Pre-Game Show starts at 6:45 p.m. Stars baseball can be heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.



Southern League Stories from June 8, 2003


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