Stars Win Another Close One

Published on August 5, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Lindsay Gulin worked seven strong innings to pitch Huntsville past Mississippi 3-1 on a hot and steamy Sunday afternoon in the middle game of a five-game set at Trustmark Park. The Stars improved to 26-17 in the second half and lengthened their lead over Chattanooga in the North Division to four games, while the Braves slumped to 14-29 in the second half and 14 ½ games behind front-running Jacksonville in the South Division. The Stars took a five to three lead in the season series and improved to 30-26 on the road.

Adam Heether walked to lead off the second inning, moved to third base on a run and hit single by Ryan Crew and scored on a two-out single to right field by Guilder Rodriguez, who has driven all six of his runs this season on the road. Heether's single started a two-run rally in the sixth that extended the visitors lead to 3-0. He advanced to third base on a hit and run single by Mel Stocker that chased starter Charlie Morton from the game. Stocker stole second and the Braves elected to intentionally walk Ryan Crew to load the bases but the strategy backfired when Carlos Corporan, mired in a four-for-41 slump, ripped a line drive single to right field to plate Heether and Stocker to make it 3-0 Stars. Corporan knocked in his first runs since June 17 at home against Birmingham.

Mississippi answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning after loading the bases with one out. Matt Young bounced into a force out at second base to plate Carl Loadenthal, who had led off the inning with a double. Gulin worked out of further trouble by retiring Van Pope on a ground ball to end the inning. Iribarren collected his second three-base hit of the game leading off in the seventh but could not score, as Phil Stockman struck out Michael Brantley, retired Steve Sollmann on a pop up and fanned Heether to end the inning.

Gulin allowed seven hits, walked two and fanned five to improve to 11-3 and win his seventh straight decision. EJ Shanks worked a perfect eighth inning and gave way to David Johnson, who gave up a leadoff single to Matt Young and walked Van Pope to open the ninth. However, the right-hander squelched a potential rally by fielding a sacrifice bunt attempt by Ray Serrano and throwing to third for the force out on Young before Adam Heether alertly threw across the diamond to Iribarren covering at first to double up Serrano. Johnson then fanned Mike Rozema to end the game and wrap up his third save with the Stars and seventh in as many opportunities on the season.

The series continues Monday night with left-hander Steve Hammond taking the hill for the Stars against Braves' left-hander Kelvin Villa. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com

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Southern League Stories from August 5, 2007


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