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Suns Stave Off Late Rallies to Down Stars

September 4, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Nic Ungs worked 6 2/3 solid innings and continued to spin his magic against his former team in Jacksonville's come from behind 3-1 win over Huntsville Friday night in the second of the season-ending five-game at Joe Davis Stadium. The Suns improved to 44-23 in the second half and maintained their two-game lead over victorious Birmingham in the South Division with three games left togo, while the Stars matched a season-high with a sixth straight loss, all by one or two runs, to fall to 25-41 in the second half and 63-72 overall. The Suns lead the season series nine games to three and have won five of the seven in Huntsville.

Lorenzo Cain reached on a fielding error in the second inning, advanced to second base on a Chuck Caufield single and scored when JR Hopf doubled into right field. However, the Stars could not add on with runners at second and third base, as Michael Garciaparra grounded out and pitcher Brandon Kintzler struck out. The run was the first the Stars had scored against Ungs in 13 1/3 over his three starts against them.

Matt Dominguez belted a one-out home run just to the left of straightaway center field to get the game tied in the fifth. The long ball snapped Kintzler's 9 1/3 innings shutout streak against the Suns and a 10 1/3 scoreless innings streak at home. The right-hander, working on three days' rest, was lifted after five frames, allowing four hits, not walking a batter and fanning a pair.

Josh Wahpepah took over in the sixth for the Stars and issued two walks and allowed an infield hit that loaded the bases with nobody out. Mike Stanton followed with a broken bat base hit to right field to plate Bryan Petersen to give the Suns a 2-1 lead and drive the right-hander from the game after he could not retire any of the four batters he faced. Wes Littleton assumed the hill and gave up a scoring fly ball to Scott Cousins that pushed the visitors lead to 3-1. Wahpepah took the loss to fall to 1-2.

Ungs retired seven in a row and 13 out of 14 before Taylor Green led off the home seventh with a double and moved to third base on a fly ball out. Ungs struck out Caufield and was lifted from the game and followed by left-hander Jay Voss, who struck out the lefty-swinging Hopf to end the inning and thwart the Stars' threat. Ungs earned his tenth win of the year, and third over the Stars, allowing four hits and fanning two. The right-hander went 4-1 in seven starts with Huntsville last season.

Pinch-hitter Freddy Parejo reached second base on a Chris De La Cruz throwing error with one out in the eighth and moved to third base on a Brad Davis passed ball but died there when Drew Anderson struck out and Shane Justis grounded out against Chris Leroux., who gave way to Matt Peterson in the ninth. The right-hander walked Green with one out in the ninth and hit Cain before retiring Caufield and Hopf on ground outs to end the game and record his 35th save of the year, one short of the Southern League record last set by former Stars' pitcher Joe Valentine, who did it with Birmingham in 2002.

The series continues Saturday night with Huntsville sending right-hander Josh Butler to the hill against Suns' right-hander Brad Stone. Coverage of the game begins at 5:45 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.



Southern League Stories from September 4, 2009


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