Stars Shut out Suns, 7-0

Published on April 13, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Jacksonville, FL – The Stars feel right at home in Jacksonville's brand new ballpark, and the Suns have yet to score a run there. For the second straight night, Huntsville shut out the Suns at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Stars whipped the Suns, 7-0, on Saturday to improve to 5-4 on the season and move into sole possession of first place in the Southern League Western Division.

Milwaukee's number one pick in 2001, right-hander Mike Jones, dominated in his second start for Huntsville. Jones gave up three runs and walked five in just 3 2/3 innings in his Southern League debut, but he was masterful over six scoreless innings on Saturday. Jones permitted only five base runners and retired nine in a row during one stretch from the first through the fourth.

Huntsville got all the offense it needed in the top of the first, when J.J. Hardy extended his hitting streak to nine games with a solo homer to left. Ryan Knox scored on a passed ball in the third, then the Stars exploded for five in the seventh. Knox singled home two, Brandon Gemoll doubled in a run and Corey Hart and Cristian Guerrero delivered run-scoring singles for a 7-0 Stars lead.

Jones (1-0) notched his first win, allowing two hits, two walks and fanning four in six frames. Edwin Jackson (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering two runs on four hits and two walks in four innings. Tim Crabtree pitched two scoreless innings for the Stars, and Matt Childers shut down the Suns in the ninth, striking out one.

Gemoll and Mike Kremblas led the Stars' 10-hit attack with two apiece, and Hardy homered, walked and scored two runs. Knox singled, drove in two and scored two, and Richard Paz added a single and one run scored. Dave Krynzel picked up his first hit since returning to the Stars lineup Friday, and he stole his first base of the season.

Huntsville has taken two straight games from the Suns and four of six meetings with Jacksonville this season. The Stars (5-4) lead second-place West Tennessee by ½ game in the Southern League Western Division. West Tenn lost Saturday to Chattanooga, 5-4.

"Our lineup did a lot better tonight," Stars hitting coach Sandy Guerrero said, "but there's room for improvement. They still are not close to their potential.

The Stars go for a sweep Sunday afternoon, when Pedro Liriano (0-1, 5.40) meets the Suns' Eric Stults (0-0, 19.29) at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Game time is 2:05 CST. Listen to the Stars on Jammin' 1550, ESPN 1450 and at www.huntsvillestars.com. Broadcast time is 1:50 p.m. CST.

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Southern League Stories from April 13, 2003


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