Stars Frustrated in 6-3 Loss to Bears

Published on August 18, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Mobile, AL – Huntsville had its chances Sunday night. A game Mobile controlled from the outset was there for the taking. The Stars needed just one key hit, but the Bay Bears' bullpen proved too tough. Mobile held on for a 6-3 victory at Hank Aaron Stadium, snapping the Stars' four-game winning streak. Huntsville (31-25, 71-53) fell one-half game behind Birmingham in the Southern League West standings.

Down 4-0 through five innings, the Stars finally broke through in the sixth. Dave Krynzel singled, stole second and scored on J.J. Hardy's two-out double to left-center. Huntsville's frustration began in the seventh, when Brandon Gemoll led off with a single and sprinted from first to third on a wild pitch. Noochie Varner blooped a single to right, plating Gemoll to cut the deficit to 4-2. Daryl Clark reached on shortstop J.J. Furmaniak's error, and Mike Kremblas' popped a bunt over the pitcher's head for a single. With the bases loaded and none out, R.D. Spiehs fanned pinch-hitter Brad Nelson, then Chris Barnwell lifted a shallow fly to right. Vinny Faison made the catch and gunned down Varner at the plate for an inning-inning double play.

Trailing 5-2 in the eighth, Huntsville again fell one hit short. Krynzel and Hardy led off with walks against J.J. Trujillo. Corey Hart flied deep to center, and Krynzel tagged up and advanced to third. Gemoll singled to right, driving in Krynzel and pushing Hardy to second. With Varner batting, Bryan Gaal relieved Trujillo and uncorked a wild pitch, sending Hardy to third and Gemoll to second. Gaal recovered to strike out Varner and Clark, both looking, to quell the threat. Gall fanned two more in a perfect ninth.

Duncan McAdoo (5-7) picked up his second win, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts over six innings. Jeff Housman (3-1) absorbed his first loss in six starts for Huntsville, giving up four runs, three earned, on six hits – including Jon Knott's second-inning solo homer and Todd Donovan's fifth-inning two-run shot – and no walks while fanning three in five innings. Gaal notched his third save, retiring all five batters he faced, four by strikeout.

Huntsville sends righty Dave Nolasco (2-2, 4.30) against Bears right-hander Chris Rojas (5-9, 4.55) in game three of the series Monday night. 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.

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Southern League Stories from August 18, 2003


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