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Stars Beat Barons in 9th, 7-6

April 20, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – After leading 6-1 through four innings, the Stars nearly let one slip away on Easter Sunday at Joe Davis Stadium. Closer Mike Adams rescued Huntsville from a bases-loaded, eighth-inning jam, then Chris Cosbey's two-out, running-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth beat the Barons, 7-6. The Stars (10-7) have won three straight for the first time this season and lead the Southern League West by ½ game over West Tennessee.

For the third game in a row, Huntsville scored in the first against the Barons (5-11). Ryan Knox led off with a double and scored on the first of Dave Krynzel's four singles. Krynzel stole second, took third on J.J. Hardy's lineout to right and scored on Brandon Gemoll's two-out double.

In the second, the Stars rallied with two outs to score twice more. Knox walked, Krynzel singled and Hardy was plunked by Brian West to load the bases. Corey Hart – one of Saturday's heroes with a homer and three RBI – lashed a double to left-center to score Knox and Krynzel. An error charged to Barons third baseman Ryan Hankins led to a pair of unearned runs in the fourth, and the Stars led 6-1.

Hankins' fifth-inning single knocked in Gabe Alvarez to make it 6-2, then Birmingham erupted for four in the seventh. Jonathan Aceves walked to start the frame, and Alvarez doubled him to third. Josh Shaffer singled home two, and Guillermo Reyes' ground ball to first eluded Gemoll for a two-base error. With runners at second and third, Matt Parker's wild pitch led to the Barons' fifth run, and Hankins' swinging bunt scored Reyes to tie the game, 6-6.

Huntsville averted disaster in the eighth when Birmingham loaded the bases with one out. Adams relieved Tim Crabtree to face pinch-hitter Danny Sandoval. With the infield at double-play depth, Sandoval hit a bouncer over Adams' head, and Richard Paz charged in from second, fielded and threw on the run for a force-out at home plate. Adams retired Reyes on a groundout to strand three runners and preserve the tie.

In the bottom of the ninth, Huntsville produced another two-out rally. Paz fought off several pitches from Tetsu Yofu before lining a 3-2 pitch into centerfield for a single. Cristian Guerrero ripped a 1-2 offering to center for another base hit. Left-handed pinch-hitter Chris Cosbey faced lefty Royce Ring, who replaced the right-hander Yofu. Cosbey slapped a 2-1 pitch just inside the third-base bag for a single that scored Paz with the winning run.

Adams (1-1) notched his first win, tossing 1 2/3 innings of perfect relief. Yofu (0-1) suffered the loss, permitting his first run of the season on three hits in 1 2/3 innings. Stars starter Derek Lee was terrific, giving up just two runs on four hits and two walks while fanning three in five innings. Lee departed with the Stars up, 6-1.

Huntsville goes for a four-game sweep behind the reigning Southern League Pitcher of the Week, lefty Luis Martinez (2-0, 0.00), on Monday night. Birmingham counters with left-hander Neal Cotts (3-0, 1.20). Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Joe Davis Stadium.

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Southern League Stories from April 20, 2003


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