Stars Drop Finale in Greenville

June 22, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Greenville, SC – Bubba Nelson tossed seven shutout innings to lead the G-Braves over Huntsville, 5-0, on Saturday night at Greenville Municipal Stadium. Greenville (1-3, 37-35) avoided a four-game sweep in its final meeting with the Stars (3-1, 43-29) this season.

Nelson caught a break in the second inning, but he needed no help after that. Daryl Clark drew a two-out walk, then Kade Johnson sent a searing drive deep to left. The ball clearly slammed off the second level of billboards – making it a homerun – but the ball was ruled in play. Instead of a 2-0 lead, Huntsville came up empty after pitcher Derek Lee flied out with runners at second and third to end the inning.

Nelson dominated from the third through the seventh, permitting just two singles and two walks and never allowing another runner past first base. Nelson (6-6) picked up his sixth win, fanning four while allowing only four hits and three walks over seven scoreless frames.

Greenville squandered scoring chances in each of the first three innings before finally breaking through against Lee. In the fourth, J.C. Boscan walked with one out, then Nelson laid down a sacrifice bunt that Lee kicked for an error. Richard Lewis singled home a run, and James Jurris walked to load the bases. Ryan Langerhans singled to right, plating Nelson and Lewis, and Jurris scored on Noochie Varner's wild throw to the plate. Bill McCarthy doubled to drive in Langerhans for a 5-0 Braves lead.

Lee (9-3) suffered his third loss, surrendering five runs, four earned, on five hits and a season-high six walks while fanning four over 3 1/3 innings. Stars reliever Brian Adams authored his best performance this season, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings, fanning a season-high five and allowing just one hit and no walks.

Huntsville returns home to face first-half East Division champion Carolina on Sunday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars send righty Mike Jones (6-2, 2.61) to the mound in the opener of a three-game series. Game time is 6:05 p.m. The wild and wacky mascot Birdzerk will entertain fans throughout the evening.



Southern League Stories from June 22, 2003


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