Stars Knock off Jaxx, 7-4

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


Jackson, TN – An unlikely source led Huntsville's offensive attack, and starter Pedro Liriano notched his eighth win as the Stars knocked off West Tenn, 7-4, on Saturday night at Pringles Park. The Stars (66-50, 26-22) pulled within one-half game of leader Birmingham in the Southern League West second-half race.

Huntsville catcher Kade Johnson broke out of a 1-for-25 slump, recording three singles, all to rightfield, and drawing a walk to pace the Stars' 11-hit salvo. Johnson finished 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and one run scored. Brad Nelson rapped his first two hits of the series, slamming a double to left-center, singling to right and scoring twice. Alejandro Machado delivered two clutch hits in a pair of three-run rallies, going 2-for-5 with a run batted in. J.J. Hardy showed signs his slump is ending, ripping two singles to right, driving in one run and scoring another.

"Machado came through with a couple key hits," Stars manager Frank Kremblas said. "Nelson did a better job getting his swing started earlier. We're trying to get Johnson to stay in control a little bit more right now, not try to kill the ball, be more contact oriented. He did that better tonight.

Liriano (8-11) was dominant at times over seven frames, allowing four runs on seven hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Liriano tossed scoreless ball from the third through the fifth and led 7-2 after six innings. Former Star Jackson Melian spolied an otherwise stellar outing for Liriano, blasting a one-out, pinch-hit, two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh.

Up 4-1 in the sixth, Huntsville seized control with what proved to be the game-winning rally. Nelson and Johnson led off with singles, and Liriano laid down a bunt. Jaxx starter Jon Leicester fielded but threw wildly to third, sailing the ball up the leftfield line, scoring Nelson and Johnson and sending Liriano to second. After Machado singled Liriano to third, Dave Krynzel fouled out to first. Hardy followed with a sacrifice fly for a 7-1 Stars lead.

Leicester (5-6) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs, four earned, on nine hits and three walks with three strikeouts over five-plus innings. Stars reliever Ryan Miller tossed a perfect inning, fanning one, and closer Mike Adams recorded his 11th save, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from August 10, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central