Stars Drop Fourth Straight, 6-3, to G-Braves

Published on May 19, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Greenville, SC – Despite rallying from 3-1 down, Huntsville lost its fourth straight, 6-3, to the G-Braves (20-23) on Monday night at Greenville Municipal Stadium. The Stars (23-19) have lost six of their last seven games, trimming their lead to one game over Birmingham in the Southern League West Division, pending the outcome of the Barons' rain-delayed game at Tennessee.

After Greenville's Adam LaRoche blasted a two-run homer in the first, red-hot Corey Hart brought the Stars back. On a 1-1 pitch from Chris Waters – making his Southern League debut – Hart slammed a second-inning solo homerun to right-center, his fifth of the year.

Down 3-1 in the fifth, Huntsville's Kade Johnson was plunked to start the frame. After reaching second on Waters' errant pick-off attempt, Johnson took third on Daryl Clark's groundout to first. Chris Barnwell singled up the middle to score Johnson with the Stars' second run.

Huntsville forged a tie sixth. With one out, Richard Paz drew a walk and took third on a double by Hart, who is batting .474 (9-for-19) in his last six games. Brandon Gemoll grounded to second, plating Paz to make it 3-3.

With runners at second and third and two outs in the sixth, G-Brave Jason Fitzgerald delivered the game's key blow. Pinch-hitting for pitcher Willie Collazo, Fitzgerald ripped Derek Lee's first pitch to right for a two-run single and a 5-3 Braves lead. Ryan Langerhans' eighth-inning double knocked in Bill McCarthy with the game's final run.

Collazo (4-0) notched the win, recording the final out of the sixth with a strikeout of Johnson, the only batter he faced. Lee (4-2) absorbed his second loss, allowing five runs on nine hits and three walks in six innings. Kazuhiro Takeoka nailed down his first save, permitting one hit in a scoreless ninth.

Huntsville sends righty Mike Jones (5-1, 2.76) against Greenville right-hander Adam Wainwright (2-2, 2.83) in game two of the series Tuesday night. Game time is 6:15 p.m. CT. The broadcast starts at 6:00 p.m. on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from May 19, 2003


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