Stars Drop Series Finale, 4-2

July 14, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Sevierville, TN – Smokies pitcher Juan Pena dominated through six innings, then Huntsville made a furious late-inning rally that fell just short. Tennessee hung on for a 4-2 victory over the Stars (11-9, 51-37) on Sunday night, salvaging a split of the four-game series at Smokies Park.

The Smokies (16-6, 51-41) gave Pena the lead with an unearned run in the first, and Skip Schumaker made it 2-0 with a run-scoring double in the second. In the fifth, Papo Bolivar ripped a run-scoring single, one of his three hits in the game, and Tennessee led, 3-0.

Pena surrendered two hits to start the game, then he retired eight straight batters before Chris Barnwell's fourth-inning walk. Pena promptly retired another eight in a row, then Barnwell walked to open the seventh, and Pena exited after 74 pitches and six-plus innings.

Huntsville pounced on the Smokies' bullpen. Richard Paz doubled off reliever Josh Kinney, advancing Barnwell to third. One out later, Brandon Gemoll singled home Barnwell and pushed Paz to third. With Gemoll running on a 3-2 pitch, Noochie Varner grounded out to short, scoring Paz to cut the deficit to 3-2.

In the eighth, the Stars threatened again. Mike Kremblas and Ryan Gripp singled, and Alejandro Machado sacrificed them to second and third. Smokies reliever Jeremy Lambert quickly slammed the door, retiring Paz on a popout to short and fanning Corey Hart. Chris Weekly provided the Smokies a needed insurance run, slamming a solo homer in the bottom of the frame.

Pena (4-3) picked up his fourth win, surrendering one run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over six-plus innings. Mike Adams (4-3) took the loss, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits and two walks while fanning three in three innings. Mike Lyons notched his 25th save, striking out one in a perfect ninth.

Huntsville travels to Mobile for the first of a four-game series Monday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. Stars lefty Luis Martinez (8-4, 256) against Bay Bears left-hander Corey Stewart (8-5, 3.13). Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Bill Penney Toyota Pre-Game Show starts at 6:50 p.m. Stars baseball can be heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.



Southern League Stories from July 14, 2003


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