Stars Fall to Barons, 2-1

Published on June 10, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Birmingham, AL – In a game dominated by pitching, the contest turned on a few critical plays. In the end, Birmingham (31-30) delivered the key hit that Huntsville (35-26) could not. The Barons' 2-1 win on Monday night at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, coupled with West Tenn's victory over Mobile, keeps Huntsville's magic number at four to clinch the Southern League West Division first half title. The Stars lead West Tenn by three and Birmingham by four with seven to play.

Huntsville broke up a scoreless tie with its running game. In the top of the third, Noochie Varner and Dave Krynzel singled to put runners at first and second with one out. With J.J. Hardy at the plate, Huntsville pulled off a double steal, and catcher Carlos Maldonado's errant throw sailed down the leftfield line, allowing Varner to score for a 1-0 Stars lead. Hardy followed with an infield single, advancing Krynzel to third, but Corey Hart grounded to third to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, Huntsville's defense gave the run back. Juan Piniella led off with a single and stole second base. After Guillermo Reyes struck out on a questionable check swing, Chad Durham came to the plate. With a 1-0 count, Stars hurler Pedro Liriano spun and made a pick-off throw to second. Richard Paz hurried his tag and never secured the ball, which rolled into shallow center, and Piniella scrambled to third on Paz's error. The right side of the Stars' infield moved in, while the left side stayed back. Durham grounded the next pitch to short, plating Piniella to tie the game, 1-1. Danny Sandoval followed with a groundout to finish the frame.

The Barons grabbed the lead in the seventh with the only run-scoring hit in the game. Scott Bikowski singled up the middle and quickly stole second. Liriano appeared to strike out Darren Ingram with a 2-2 breaking ball, but the call went Birmingham's way. Ingram ripped Liriano's 3-2 fastball to center for a run-scoring single and raced to second when Krynzel overran the ball. Liriano quelled the threat by retiring Maldonado on a groundout and fanning Piniella.

The Barons' bullpen proved too tough, authoring three scoreless innings to secure the victory. Jeff Bajenaru (4-1) notched his fourth win, allowing one walk while fanning three through the seventh and eighth. Closer Royce Ring nailed down his 14th save, setting down the Stars in order in the ninth. Liriano (4-7) suffered his league-leading seventh loss, despite giving up just two runs, one earned, on five hits and no walks while striking out five over seven innings, his longest outing of the season. Birmingham starter Enemencio Pacheco threw six solid stanzas, allowing one run on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts.

In game two of the series Tuesday night, Stars lefty Derek Lee (7-2, 3.51) faces Barons left-hander Jim Bullard (1-1, 4.12) at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Stars baseball can be heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from June 10, 2003


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