Stars' Rally Falls Just Short
July 24, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release
Huntsville, AL â In a game controlled throughout by Smokies pitchers, Huntsville nearly pulled out a win. A bizarre play in the ninth led to a pair of Stars runs, and Huntsville put the tying run on with two outs. John Novinsky rescued the Smokies in his third double-A appearance, striking out Brandon Gemoll to secure a 5-4 Tennessee victory on Wednesday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars (16-14, 56-42) dropped into second place, one-half game behind West Tenn in the Southern League West second-half standings.
Trailing 5-1 entering the ninth, Huntsville rallied gamely against the top closer in the league, Smokies right-hander Mike Lyons. With one out, pinch-hitter Kade Johnson drew a walk when Lyons missed with a 3-2 breaking ball. Alejandro Machado walked on five pitches, setting the stage for Dave Krynzel, the Stars' all-star centerfielder.
Krynzel ripped Lyons' 1-0 pitch past first baseman Bucky Jacobsen and down the rightfield line. Johnson scored easily from second and Machado was held at third, but Krynzel rounded second base too far. Jacobsen cut off the throw from rightfielder Kevin Burns, but his relay to second sailed into left-center. Machado and Krynzel both scored to cut the Stars' deficit to 5-4. After J.J. Hardy grounded out, Corey Hart singled to center, his third hit of the night. Novinsky relieved Lyons and struck out Gemoll on a 2-2 pitch to end the game.
Right-hander Rhett Parrott beat the Stars for the second time in three tries. He has allowed only three runs to Huntsville over three appearances and 19 1/3 innings. Parrott (8-9) surrendered one run on five hits and two walks while fanning seven over six frames. Ben Hendrickson (4-3) suffered the loss, permitting four runs, three earned, on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings. Novinsky notched his first save, fanning the only batter he faced in the ninth.
Huntsville pits righty Matt Parker (6-4, 2.81) against Smokies lefty Chris Narveson (2-0, 2.33) in game three of the series Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
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Southern League Stories from July 24, 2003
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