Stars Defeat Smokies

Published on May 19, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


HUNTSVILLE, ALA - Zelous Wheeler tallied four hits as the Huntsville Stars (20-20) destroyed the Tennessee Smokies (24-16) by a final score of 11-3 Wednesday afternoon at Joe Davis Stadium.

The Smokies took the early 1-0 lead on a Matthew Spencer RBI double in the top of the first off of Stars starter Alex Periard (2-2). The Stars offense, which has been quiet for quite a few games, exploded in the bottom half of the frame against Smokies' starter Alberto Cabrera to take the lead.

With one away, Lee Haydel, fresh off the disabled list, smacked a single to right field. Brett Lawrie walked and Wheeler delivered a ringing 2-RBI double to center. Chris Errecart followed that with a double of his own to bring Wheeler home and the Stars had a quick 3-1 lead. But they didn't stop there. A wild pitch moved Errecart to third. With two down, Andy Machado drew a walk to get runners on the corners. That's when the bottom of the order came up huge. Martin Maldonado legged out a rare infield single to drive in Errecart. Periard solidified the lead by singling up the middle and the Stars had a 5-1 lead.

That last single chased Cabrera from the game after only two-thirds of an inning. The Smokies would use six different pitchers during the nine-inning contest, wearing low on their bullpen.

The wind picked up at The Joe today as Tennessee and Huntsville combined for five homeruns. The Smokies used the long ball to cut the Stars' lead to 5-3 as Russ Canzler homered in the second and Ty Wright went yard in the third. Lorenzo Cain and Wheeler both hit a bomb off of Jeremy Paplebon in the fourth. Lawrie hit his second of the year off of Smokies reliever Dustin Sasser in the sixth to make it 8-3.

The Stars offense would put the game out of reach later that inning on a 2-RBI single from Andy Machado to go ahead 10-3. Lawrie would continue his big day at the plate with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to drive home Brent Brewer.

Alex Periard (2-2) tossed seven strong innings to get the win. He gave up three runs on seven hits, but shutout the Smokies for the final four frames he was in the game.

Everyone in the Stars' lineup tallied at least one hit, while Lawrie, Errecart, and Wheeler each had a multi-hit and multi-RBI game. The Stars scored as many runs Wednesday as they had in their previous five games combined.

With the win the Stars pull back within four games of the division-leading Smokies. They head on the road tomorrow to take on the Mississippi Braves. You can catch all the action on the Stars Radio Network and www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from May 19, 2010


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