Stars Lose Another Heartbreaker, 3-2

Published on May 21, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Greenville, SC – A lot of teams would be waiting for their luck to change, lamenting their fortunes during the toughest stretch of their season. Not this club. Huntsville keeps fighting even though the losses keep coming. The Stars blew a lead on Tuesday then gamely rallied to tie, only to fall in the ninth, 3-2, to the Braves (21-23) at Greenville Municipal Stadium. Huntsville (23-20) has lost five straight to drop into second place in the Southern League West Division, ½-game behind Birmingham.

Stars starter Mike Jones opened the contest by retiring 15 straight batters, carrying a perfect game into the sixth. Huntsville got him a lead, snapping a 0-0 tie when Richard Paz doubled home Dave Krynzel in the top of the frame.

Greenville quickly disposed of the perfect game, rapping two singles to start the bottom of the sixth. Jones promptly pounced on pitcher Adam Wainwright's sacrifice bunt, retiring the lead runner at third. Jones then induced Aldridge and Jurris to ground into force plays at second to end the threat.

The Braves finally broke through in the seventh, rallying with three straight singles to load the bases with one out. Pete Orr hit potential double-play grounder to second, but Paz juggled the ball momentarily, retiring only Richard Lewis at second and allowing the tying run to score. Bryce Terveen followed with a sharp single to right, plating Bill McCarthy for a 2-1 Greenville lead.

In the top of the eighth, Huntsville's Ryan Knox doubled down the leftfield line and stole third. With the infield in, Krynzel ripped a single to right, driving in Knox with the tying run. After Sam McConnell balked Krynzel to second, Krynzel was thrown out trying to steal third. McConnell fanned Paz to finish the frame.

Huntsville's defense again hiccuped in the ninth. McCarthy singled on the infield and Lewis doubled him to third. After Orr was intentionally walked, Terveen hit a two-hop smash toward first. Brandon Gemoll made a spectacular diving stop and leapt to his feet. His hurried throw sailed to the screen for an error, allowing McCarthy to score the winning run.

Billy Sylvester (1-0) picked up his first win, tossing a scoreless inning of relief. Ryan Miller (0-3) suffered the loss, giving up an unearned run on two hits and one walk in 1 1/3 innings. Jones finished seven outstanding innings, permitting two runs on six hits and no walks with five strikeouts. Wainwright tossed six solid stanzas, surrendering one run on five hits and two walks while fanning five.

The Stars match righty Matt Parker (1-1, 2.40) against Greenville right-hander Bubba Nelson (3-3, 4.00) in game three of the series Wednesday night. Game time is 6:15 p.m. CT. The broadcast starts at 6:00 p.m. on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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



Southern League Stories from May 21, 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