Stars Seize First with 3-1 Win

Published on April 27, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – Huntsville pitchers frustrated Greenville on Sunday afternoon, stranding 12 Braves baserunners in the Stars' 3-1 win at Joe Davis Stadium. With the win, Huntsville (14-9) claimed sole possession of first place in the Southern League West Division, one game clear of West Tennessee. The Stars have won three straight games and nine of their last 12.

Stars pitchers were in trouble in every inning but the fifth. The Braves left 12 runners on base, and nine were stranded in scoring position. In search of one key hit, Greenville came up empty, as Huntsville got clutch pitching from starter Mike Jones and relievers Matt Parker, Matt Childers and Ryan Miller.

Hinting at greater frustration to come, the Braves left a runner at second base in each of the first four innings. Trailing 2-1 in the sixth, Greenville loaded the bases with two outs, and Jones retired pitcher Adam Wainwright on a ground ball to short. With two on and one out in the seventh, Parker induced Jason Fitzgerald to ground into an inning-ending double play. Finally in the top of the ninth, with two on and one out, Childers was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with plate umpire Brandon Bushee. Miller entered the game, threw ball one to Fitzgerald, then fielded Fitzgerald's chopper and started a 1-6-3 double play to seal the win.

The Stars erased an early 1-0 deficit in the second. Cristian Guerrero led off with a single, and Richard Paz doubled him to third. Joel Alvarado, who had one hit and one run batted in on the year, delivered a clutch two-run single to put the Stars in front, 2-1. Huntsville made it 3-1 in the sixth, when Corey singled and scored all the way from first on Guerrero's single to left-center. Centerfielder Ryan Langerhans booted the ball in the alley to allow Guerrero to score.

Jones (3-1) bagged his third win, permitting one run while scattering five hits and five walks with three strikeouts over six innings. Wainwright (1-2) suffered the loss despite seven solid innings, surrendering three runs, two earned, on 10 hits and no walks with two strikeouts. Miller made two pitches in the game, recorded two outs on the double play and notched his second save.

Huntsville pits righty Pedro Liriano (1-3, 4.29) against Braves righty Bubba Nelson (2-1, 3.38) in game three of the series Monday night at Joe Davis Stadium. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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Southern League Stories from April 27, 2003


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