Stars Clip Lookouts, 5-4

August 13, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – Two recent additions offered their biggest contributions to date in Huntsville's 5-4 win over Chattanooga on Wednesday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars (28-24) retained a one-half game lead over Birmingham in the Southern League West second-half race.

With a worn-out bullpen after Tuesday's 16-inning, 5-4 loss, Huntsville desperately needed starter Dave Nolasco to deliver the goods. Promoted from High Desert to Huntsville on July 24, Nolasco met the challenge, recording his second straight victory with his longest outing in the Southern League. Nolasco (2-2) navigated seven solid innings, allowing three runs on just three hits and one walk while fanning five, a personal season-high. He threw 97 pitches, 56 for strikes, and retired the final seven batters he faced.

Outfielder Brad Nelson entered the game in a 5-for-31 skid, but his blow in the seventh provided a crucial insurance run. Huntsville led 4-1 until Edwin Encarnacion's 5th-inning, two-run homer. With the Stars up 4-3 in the seventh, Nelson sent reliever Joel Barreto's 0-1 pitch deep to left for an opposite-field solo homerun, his first since a July 24 promotion to Huntsville. Nelson also singled and finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Stars reliever Ryan Miller notched his third save in as many chances, tossing the final two frames and permitting one run, Jessie Gutierrez's ninth-inning solo homer, on one hit and no walks with two strikeouts. Lookouts starter John Koronka (7-12) lost his league-high 12th decision and third in four starts against Huntsville. Koronka surrendered four runs, three earned, on seven hits and six walks while fanning three over six innings.

The Stars and Lookouts play game three of the four-game set Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium, with Huntsville righty Ben Hendrickson (5-4, 4.15) facing Chattanooga right-hander Steve Kelley (2-0, 2.31). Game time is 7:05 p.m.



Southern League Stories from August 13, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central