Stars Get Back on Winning Track

Published on April 11, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


David Welch tossed six strong innings and three players drove in a pair of runs to lead Huntsville to a 10-1 victory over West Tenn Friday night in the middle of a five-game set at Pringles Park. The Stars stopped a two-game slide to improve to 6-2 and maintain their one game lead in the North Division, while the Diamond Jaxx lost a three-game win streak and dropped to 4-4. Don Money gained his 208th victory as the Stars skipper, matching his predecessor Frank Kremblas for third most on the franchise's all-time list.

Veteran major league hurler Arthur Rhodes, who did not pitch last season due to Tommy John surgery, made a rehab start for West Tenn and was saddled with the loss after allowing three first inning runs. Michael Brantley opened the game with a single, stole second base and scored one out later on a base hit by Mat Gamel, who pushed his hitting streak to six games. Matt LaPorta walked and Rhodes was taken out of the game after facing only four batters and replaced by fellow southpaw Justin Thomas, who started against the Stars four times last season. Chris Errecart was the first batter he faced and his sharply hit grounder could not be fielded by first baseman Shawn Garrett, allowing Gamel to score, LaPorta to reach third base and Errecart to arrive at second base. Carlos Corporan then brought in both runners with a two-out double to make it 4-0 Huntsville. Errecart's first home run of the season, and the Stars first since Opening Night, in the third inning made it 5-0.

Welch retired the first eight hitters he faced before Jeffrey Dominguez reached on an infield single but was promptly picked off to end the home third. West Tenn's only run came in the sixth when Ronnie Prettyman reached on a Gamel fielding error to open the frame and scored with two outs on a Gamel throwing error. Welch allowed three hits and fanned three to win for the second time in as many double-A starts. Patrick Ryan tossed two scoreless, hitless innings and Rusty Tucker retired the side in order in the ninth to close the game for Huntsville.

Michael Brantley's two-out, two-run bases loaded single capped a three-run eighth inning rally and Cole Gillespie's two-run home run in the ninth finished the scoring for the visitors, who tallied eight of their season-high 10 runs with two outs. Errecart wound up with only one hit but reached base four times and scored each time he was aboard.

The series against West Tenn continues Saturday night with left-hander Brae Wright taking the mound against Diamond Jaxx right-hander Chris Jakubauskas. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from April 11, 2008


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