Stars Beat G-Braves, 4-3
April 26, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release
Huntsville, AL â Chris Barnwell picked the perfect moment to come up with his biggest hit of the season. With Huntsville down, 2-0, Barnwell delivered a two-out, two-run single that sparked the Stars in a 4-3 win over Greenville on Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium. Huntsville (13-9) is four games over .500 for the first time this season and shares first place with West Tennessee in the Southern League West Division.
Stars starter Luis Martinez had not allowed an earned run in his first four outings, but the Braves changed that in the first inning. Adam LaRoche tripled off the right-centerfield wall with two outs, and Bill McCarthy doubled into the leftfield corner, scoring LaRoche for a 1-0 Greenville lead. The Braves added an unearned run in the second after Barnwell booted James Jurries' ground ball to short.
The Stars bounced right back against Braves starter Matt Belisle. In the bottom of the second, Cristian Guerrero singled to right, then Richard Paz walked. After Mike Kremblas's grounder forced out Guerrero at third, Barnwell batted with runners at first and second. The unlikely duo of Paz and Kremblas pulled off a double steal, setting the stage for Barnwell. With the pitcher due next, Barnwell lined Belisle's 2-2 pitch into right for a game-tying, two-run single.
Carrying the momentum, Huntsville took its first lead in the third, as Chris Cosbey walked with one out. Cosbey promptly stole second â Huntsville swiped four bases in the game â and scored on Corey Hart's single to centerfield. Hart drove in his 21st run of the season, good for second in the league.
In the fourth, Guerrero walked to start the inning and stole second. Paz reached when Belisle slipped while fielding Paz's swinging bunt, advancing Guerrero to third. Kremblas grounded into a double play, scoring Guerrero to put the Stars up, 4-2.
Martinez settled down to shut out the Braves over his final four frames, then closer Mike Adams took over. Adams was perfect in the seventh and eighth before surrendering Jurries' leadoff homer in the ninth. Adams quickly retired the next three Braves to seal the 4-3 win.
Martinez (3-1) notched his third win, permitting two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks while fanning five over six innings. Belisle (1-3) suffered his third loss, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with five strikeouts in five innings. Adams gave up only the solo homer over three innings, retiring nine of 10 batters for his second save.
The Stars send righty Mike Jones (2-1, 4.58) to the mound in game two of the series at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday at Joe Davis Stadium. The Braves counter with right-hander Adam Wainwright (1-1, 3.68).
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Southern League Stories from April 26, 2003
- Stars Beat G-Braves, 4-3 - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears take series opener in Chattanooga - Mobile BayBears
- Rays Fall to Smokies - Orlando Rays
- Suns stage comeback, win 7-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars and Bears Supspended by Rain - Huntsville Stars
- Barons Sweep Doubleheader, 8-5 and 4-2 - Birmingham Barons
- Barons Keep Orlando Sliding with Sweep - Orlando Rays
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