Stars Fall in First Game Back After Break

Published on July 15, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Edgar Osuna spun five shutout frames and youngsters Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman each drove in a pair of runs to lead Mississippi past Huntsville 6-2 Wednesday night in the opener of a five-game set at Trustmark Park. The Braves improved to 8-13 in the second half and 39-52 overall, while the Stars slipped to 9-12 in the second half and 47-43 overall. The Braves have won the last two games over Huntsville after dropping the first four.

Freeman led off the second with a double against Brewers' right-hander Dave Bush, who was making a rehab start, and advanced to third base on a Concepcion Rodriguez infield single before Eric Campbell grounded into a double play to chase in the game's first run. Bush was recovering from a micro-tear in his right triceps muscle suffered after he was hit by a Hanley Ramirez line drive on June 4.

Bush loaded the bases in the third with two walks and a hit batter before Heyward singled into right field to deliver two runs. Vinny Rottino overran the ball, allowing Kody Kirkland to score from first base and Heyward to advance to second base, from where he scored on a Freeman single that made it a 5-0 game. Bush was lifted after three frames, allowing six hits, walking two and striking out two in his second rehab start after being placed on the disabled list June 23. Freeman's sacrifice fly in the fifth inning against Josh Wahpepah pushed the home team's lead to 6-0. Wahpepah allowed three hits, walked one and fanned three over three innings of work.

Osuna allowed three hits, walked one and struck out three to earn the win and improve to 3-2. He did not allow a runner to advance past second base and was relieved by Deunte Heath. The Stars climbed back into the game against Heath with a pair of runs in the seventh inning on a pinch-hit run-scoring single by Adam Stern and a run-scoring hit by Michael Garciaparra. South Division all-star Matt Young made an outstanding running catch in the gap in left-center field to take away extra bases from Drew Anderson and two runs from the Stars to end the inning. Tim Gustafson then tossed two scoreless innings in relief to close out the game.

The series continues Thursday night with Stars right-hander Mike Jones taking the hill against Braves' right-hander Ryne Reynoso. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 15, 2009


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