Stars Record 3rd Straight Shutout, 6-0

Published on July 22, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – Huntsville's pitching staff will simply ride it out. Whatever mojo they're working, whatever breakfast they're eating, whatever base lines they're hopping over, they won't change a thing. Stars hurlers have not allowed a run since the fifth inning on Saturday, 27 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, including Huntsville's third straight shutout, Tuesday night's 6-0 drubbing of Tennessee. The Stars (16-13, 56-41) maintained at least a share of first in the Southern League West second-half race.

Hard-luck starter Pedro Liriano, carrying a three-game losing streak and a league-high 10 losses, pitched deftly out of difficult jams in the fourth and fifth and recorded eight strikeouts, a personal season-high. Liriano (6-10) surrendered just four hits and two walks while blanking the Smokies over six innings to record his first win since June 14. Reliever Matt Childers was equally stingy, giving up but two hits over three shutout innings for his eighth save. Childers extended his own scoreless streak to 14 1/3 innings.

Huntsville's offense was efficient and explosive. Corey Hart led the assault, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in and two runs scored. Dave Krynzel ripped his league-high eighth triple, finishing 2-for-4 with one run batted in and one run scored. Kade Johnson nearly joined a short list of players who have cleared the expanded scoreboard in left-centerfield at Joe Davis Stadium. Johnson's solo homer, his fourth of the season, rattled the Pepsi logo in the top right corner, some 45 feet in the air. Even Liriano got into the act, singling up the middle, swiping third as part of a double steal and scoring a run.

Nick Stocks (8-5) suffered his fifth loss and first in three starts against Huntsville, surrendering seven hits and five earned runs over five innings.

Huntsville righty Ben Hendrickson (4-2, 2.54) faces Smokies righty Rhett Parrott (7-9, 3.36) in game two of the series Wednesday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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Southern League Stories from July 22, 2003


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