Rogers Homer Leads Stars to Win, Series Victory

Published on May 16, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Trailing by one and down to their final two outs in the ninth inning, a two-run homer from first basemen Jason Rogers lead the Huntsville Stars to a 5-4 win over the Mississippi Braves on Thursday night at Trustmark Park.

After the M-Braves and Stars each traded runs in the first inning, the Stars took back the lead in the fifth inning off of Mississippi starter Aaron Northcraft. With the bases loaded and one out, an RBI infield single from Brock Kjeldgaard put the Stars back up by one. The next at-bat, Northcraft threw a wild pitch that allowed Stars shortstop Ozzie Chavez to score from third to make the score 7-1.

Following a strong outing from Stars starting pitcher Arcenio Leon where he gave up just one run over five innings, the Stars bullpen kept the lead intact up to the seventh inning.

With reliever Alan Williams in the ballgame, M-Braves outfielder Mycal Jones began the frame with a leadoff walk. One batter later, outfielder Jose Martinez crushed a two-run homer well over the left-field wall to tie up the game at three.

Mississippi continued that momentum into the eighth inning. Against Huntsville reliever Greg Holle, third basemen Edward Salcedo leadoff the inning with a single. Then, after stealing second and third on consecutive pitches, Salcedo scored on a wild pith from Holle to give the M-Braves their first lead of the game.

Fortunately for the Stars, their bats would provide some rare heroics on this evening. After Chavez drew a one-out walk against M-Braves closer Pat Egan, Rogers hit his sixth homer of the year just over the outstretched arms of Mississippi left fielder Kyle Russell to put the Stars back up 5-4.

In the bottom half of the frame, Huntsville righty Casey Medlen stranded a runner on first to shutdown the door and give the Stars their first series victory since their opening five-game set of the 2013 season against the Chattanooga Lookouts.

For Medlen, the save was his sixth of the season and third converted save opportunity in a row. Holle improved to 2-1 on the season with the victory in relief.

Aside from Rogers, the Stars were lead on offense by catcher Shawn Zarraga with three hits.

The Stars will look to continue their winning momentum on Friday as they welcome the Montgomery Biscuits to Joe Davis Stadium for a five-game series. Huntsville will send RHP Jimmy Nelson (4-2, 2.36 ERA) to the bump. He will face off against Mongtomery RHP Jacob Thompson (1-2, 6.41 ERA). First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

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Southern League Stories from May 16, 2013


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