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Suns Shut Down Stars to Start Series

September 3, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Graham Taylor spun seven scoreless frames and combined with two relievers on a three-hit shutout in Jacksonville's 1-0 win over Huntsville Thursday night in the opener of a five-game at Joe Davis Stadium. The Suns improved to 43-23 in the second half and maintained their two-game lead over victorious Birmingham in the South Division with four games left in the regular season, while the Stars suffered a fifth straight loss, all by one run, to fall to 25-40 in the second half and 63-71 overall. The Suns lead the season series eight games to three and have won four of the six in Huntsville.

Stars' starter Nick Green retired the first four hitters he faced before Scott Cousins collected his league-leading 11th triple of the season and came in to score the game's lone run when Kevin Randel followed with a double. Mike Brownstein doubled to lead off the home third in his first double-A at-bat, advanced to third base on a Green sacrifice bunt but stayed put when Drew Anderson struck out and Shane Justis popped out to end the inning.

The Suns put runners at the corners with one out in the fourth for Matt Dominguez, who hit a ground ball that Brownstein fielded at third and threw home to try to cut down Cousins. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy chased Cousins back towards third base and tagged him out before going to his knees to tag out a sliding Randel trying to advance to third to complete the inning-ending double play.

Green finished his seven innings of work by setting down the last 10 batters he faced. He allowed four hits, walked one, struck out five and recorded a dozen ground ball outs. The right-hander fell to 1-6 and has received four runs of support in his six non-winning turns when he has actually been on the hill. Casey Baron worked a perfect eighth inning in his first appearance for the Stars since July 21 and was followed by Bobby Bramhall, who set down the first two batters in the ninth before walking Mike Stanton to end a string of 15 straight Suns' hitters retired. Cousins singled to extend the inning before Randel fanned to end the threat.

Taylor allowed three hits, walked one and fanned four to grab the win to improve to 8-7. He has blanked the Stars on four hits over 12 2/3 innings in his two turns in Huntsville. Kasey Olenberger tossed a scoreless eighth inning and was followed by Matt Peterson, who retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his league-best 34th save. The three pitchers did not allow a base runner past first base over the final six frames, as the Stars suffered their second straight 1-0 loss.

The series continues Friday night with Huntsville sending right-hander Brandon Kintzler to the hill against Suns' right-hander Nic Ungs. Coverage of the game begins at 6:45 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.



Southern League Stories from September 3, 2009


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