Smokies Even up Series with Stars

Published on August 10, 2012 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - While they were able to make things interesting in the ninth inning by putting the potential game-tying run on base, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 5-3 on Thursday night at Smokies Park.

In his third start in a Huntsville Stars uniform, starting pitcher Ariel Pena struggled on the mound. On the first pitch he threw, Smokies right fielder Matt Szczur blasted a home run over the left field wall to give Tennessee an early 1-0 lead.

After the Stars tied up the ballgame in the top half of the fourth with a RBI double by center fielder Josh Prince, the Smokies took control of the game in the bottom half of the frame. A leadoff walk by third baseman Matt Cerda and a walk by Szczur brought runners on first and third with one out. After a RBI single by second baseman Logan Watkins scored Cerda, first baseman Justin Bour hit a RBI single two batters later to plate Szczur, putting Tennessee up by two. Watkins then scored on a throwing error by Pena on that same play to give Tennessee a 4-1 lead.

That lead was plenty for Smokies pitcher Nick Struck. After replacing RHP Lendy Castillo, in his second Major League rehab appearance for the Smokies, in the second inning, Struck stifled the Stars bats through eight innings, giving up just two hits and one run for his league-leading 13th win on the season.

Trailing by a score of 5-1, the Stars made it interesting in the ninth inning. With Smokies reliever Frank Batista in the ballgame, a RBI single from second baseman Scooter Gennett and a RBI groundout by Prince got the Stars to within two. With runners on first and second and two outs, the Smokies brought in reliever Brian Schlitter to finish off the game and face pinch-hitter Brock Kjeldgaard. Unfortunately for Kjeldgaard, he wouldn't have a chance to put the ball in play. On an attempted double-steal, Smokies catcher Chad Noble threw out right fielder Kentrail Davis trying to swipe second to end the ballgame.

Offensively, the Stars were led by second basemen Gennett, who went 3-for-3 with a double and a RBI for his fifth consecutive multi-hit game. Shortstop Hainley Statia also had two hits, recording his second straight multi-hit game.

The Stars and Smokies will play game three of their five-game series starting at 6:15 p.m. CST on Friday. RHP Josh Stinson will take the ball for the Stars.

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Southern League Stories from August 10, 2012


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