Mitchell Leads Suns to Lopsided Win

Published on June 13, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Lee Mitchell collected four hits and knocked in five runs and Graham Taylor spun 5 2/3 shutout innings in Jacksonville's 14-1 decision over Huntsville

Saturday in the middle of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Suns improved to 30-33, while the Stars fell to 36-25 but held on to their two

and a half game lead in the North Division after Carolina lost at home to West Tenn. The Stars fell to 13-15 at home in suffering their most lopsided loss of the season.

The Suns took advantage of a Kevin Melillo fielding error in the first inning to score their first run before Mitchell singled in Mike Stanton with the second run of the frame. The Suns would add another run in the second and two more in the third, including a two-out, run-scoring double by Bryan Peterson that made it 5-0 and knocked starter Mike Jones out of the game. Jones suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 after allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits, while walking one, hitting two batters and recording one strike out.

Mitchell singled in another run in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-0 against Josh Wahpepah, who gave up a run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings. John Axford struck out the side in order in the sixth in his double-A debut but then allowed a solo home run to Chris Hatcher and a two-run double to Logan Morrison in the seventh. Omar Aguilar took over in the eighth and gave up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Andy Jenkins and then a three-run home run by Mitchell in the ninth that made it 14-0.

Every Suns position player had at least one hit and scored at least one run, while five crossed the plate at least twice. Hatcher had two hits, scored three times and drove in three, while Petersen had three hits and Scott Cousins and Morrison chipped in with two apiece to pace an 18-hit attack.

Taylor allowed only one hit, a second inning double by Freddy Parejo, and was lifted after his second walk in the sixth inning. Chris Leroux took over and tossed a scoreless inning and a third before Carlos Vasquez worked a perfect eighth inning. The left-hander then gave up two hits and issued a walk in the ninth to load the bases before Shane Justis pushed across the home team's only run with a ground out. Taylor improved to 3-2 after walking four and fanning four.

The series continues Sunday afternoon with left-hander Bobby Bramhall taking the hill for the Stars against Jacksonville right-hander Kyle Winters. Coverage of the game begins at 12:45 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from June 13, 2009


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