Stars and Barons Split a Pair

Published on August 3, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – In a pivotal game in the Southern League West pennant race, Huntsville survived the Barons' sixth-inning rally and prevailed in extra innings, 1-0, to grab a split of Monday's doubleheader at Joe Davis Stadium. Birmingham took game one of the twin bill, 3-2. The Stars (20-16, 52-54) remained one game behind the Barons (21-15, 56-49) in the second-half standings.

Tied 0-0 in the sixth inning of game two, back-to-back singles by Birmingham's Aaron McNeal and Brian Anderson put runners at first and third. Carlos Maldonado hit a sharp ground ball between first and second, and Prince Fielder made a diving stab, the ball trickling behind him toward the edge of the grass. Alertly, second baseman Rickie Weeks backed up the play, scooped up the ball and fed pitcher Paul Stewart, who nipped Maldonado at first to prevent the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the ninth, Huntsville rallied against Barons reliever Wyatt Allen, in the second inning of his first appearance after nearly two months on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his back. Ryan Knox led off with a single to left and Johnny Raburn doubled Knox to third. After Joel Alvarado walked, Tony Gwynn Jr. ripped a single to left-center, scoring Knox for a walk-off win, 1-0.

With game one tied 1-1 in the fifth, Normand Martel doubled to left. Chris Stewart dropped down a sacrifice bunt, and third baseman Chris Barnwell's low throw skipped past Fielder, allowing Martel to score and sending Stewart to second. After Michael Spidale's sacrifice bunt, Ruddy Yan's sacrifice fly plated Stewart for a 3-1 Barons lead. Prince Fielder's sixth-inning leadoff homer made it 3-2, but the Stars managed only one base on balls the rest of the way.

Eduardo Villacis (3-3) picked up the game-one win, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts over five innings. Matt Ford (1-4) suffered the loss, permitting three runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks while fanning two over six innings, his longest outing of the season. Matt Smith notched his ninth save with a perfect seventh. Saul Rivera (2-0) recorded the game-two win, throwing a scoreless ninth for Huntsville, allowing one hit and fanning one. Allen (0-3) absorbed the loss, surrendering one run on five hits and one walk over one-plus inning.

Wednesday's series finale matches Stars lefty Jeff Housman (4-7, 3.04) against Barons lefty Dennis Ulacia (5-5, 3.87). Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Joe Davis Stadium.

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Southern League Stories from August 3, 2004


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