Stars Win Fourth Straight, 5-4

June 15, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – Huntsville continued its sprint to the first-half finish line on Father's Day at Joe Davis Stadium. The West Division champion Stars held off West Tenn, 5-4, for their fourth straight victory. Huntsville (40-27) is 13 games over .500 for the first time this season.

The combination of a five-Star "General" and a pair of homeruns propelled Huntsville. Lefty Robert Derek Lee (9-2) secured his league-best ninth win with 6 1/3 solid innings, giving up just one run on four hits and one walk while fanning seven. Lee allowed only two runners past first base, one on a second-inning solo homer by Ray Sadler.

Huntsville staked Lee to an early lead with a two-run first. Dave Krynzel launched his first homerun, a solo shot to right leading off the frame. Richard Paz was hit by a pitch, then J.J. Hardy singled to left. After Corey Hart flied out, Brandon Gemoll singled home Paz for a 2-0 Stars lead.

With Huntsville up 3-1 in the seventh, Hardy broke the game open. Krynzel reached on an infield single and Paz forced him out at second with a ground ball. Hardy then unloaded on Jason Szuminski's 0-1 pitch, launching a two-run homer deep to left-center, his ninth of the season, putting the Stars up, 5-1.

Reliever Ryan Miller finished the top of the seventh for Lee, allowing an infield single and striking out one over two-thirds of an inning. Matt Childers worked a perfect eighth before surrendering Jon Hamilton's two-run homer and Casey Kopitzke's run-scoring groundout in the ninth. Childers retired pinch-hitter Jose Velazquez on a ground ball with the tying run at second to end the game. Travis Anderson (2-3) took the loss, permitting three runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts over four innings.

The Stars and Jaxx conclude the four-game set and the first half Monday night at the Joe. In pursuit of a sweep, Huntsville sends right-hander Mike Jones (6-2, 2.43) against West Tenn righty John Webb (2-7, 4.42). Game time is 7:05 p.m.



Southern League Stories from June 15, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central