Stars' Comeback Falls Short, Drop Ninth Straight

Published on June 15, 2012 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- In a game where they took a six-run deficit and made it into a tied ballgame in the eighth inning, the Huntsville Stars (33-34) ultimately fell to the Montgomery Biscuits (35-30) by a final score of 9-7 on Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

The Stars got on the board first in the third inning. Center fielder Josh Prince drew a walk and stole second to get in scoring position. Shortstop Tommy Manzella singled up the middle to plate Prince and put the Stars up 1-0.

Huntsville starter Dan Merklinger threw a gem in his spot start, holding the Biscuits scoreless through three innings. Reliever R.J Seidel came in in the fourth and gave up a two-out single and he left the runner stranded. The fifth inning was a different story. Montgomery sent nine batters to the plate against the 24-year-old righty in the inning. Overall, the Biscuits scored five runs highlighted by a RBI single by catcher Matt Thomas, a two-run single by left fielder Omar Luna and a RBI groundout by first baseman Michael Sheridan to take a commanding four-run advantage.

Then, with Stars reliever Darren Byrd on the mound, a two-run double by right fielder Brett Nommensen gave Montgomery a steady 7-1 lead.

However, Huntsville would not go down without a fight. With a pair of two-run homeruns by catcher Anderson De La Rosa and center fielder Josh Prince, the Stars cut their deficit to two by the end of the seventh.

In the eighth inning, the Stars were able to make it a brand new ballgame. After a lead-off double by second baseman Scooter Gennett, an RBI single from first baseman Hunter Morris made the score 7-6. Following back-to-back singles by right fielder Kentrail Davis and De La Rosa that would load the bases, a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Domnit Bolivar scored Morris to tie up the ballgame.

The tie would not last for long though. In the top half of the ninth inning, the Biscuits loaded the bases against Stars reliever Brandon Kintzler. Then, with one out, a Mark Thomas grounder caused a throwing error by Gennett while trying to turn an inning-ending double play that helped plate the final two runs of the ballgame.

For Montgomery, LHP Frank De Los Santos pitched a scoreless ninth inning to improve to 4-1 on the season.

For Huntsville, Kintzler took the loss to fall to 0-1 on the year. The Stars bullpen as a whole gave up all nine runs on the night after Merklinger began the game. The loss was the Stars season-high ninth straight of the season and ties their longest streak dating back to 2009.

On offense, both Manzella and De La Rosa had three hits apiece. Manzella is now 7-for-9 at the plate through the first two games of the series.

On Friday, the Stars will face off against Biscuits LHP Kyle Lobstein (3-2, 4.15 ERA). First pitch is at 6:43 p.m.

Early arriving fans to Friday's game will receive a free Huntsville Stars cap at the gate, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union and WAAY31. RFCU members receive complimentary tickets to tomorrow's game just by showing their RFCU credit or debit card at the ticket office. Also, with the Stars losing tonight's "Guaranteed Win" game, fans can redeem their dated ticket stub from tonight's game at the ticket office for a free ticket to tomorrow's game. Gates open at 6 p.m. with Happy Hour! Select 16-ounce draft beers and 20-ounce sodas are just $2 from the time the gates open until the first official pitch of the game!

For more information on the Huntsville Stars, call (256) 882-2562 or visit www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from June 15, 2012


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