Walk-Off Win For Barons in Extras

Published on August 19, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Victor Mercedes drilled the game-winning home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning to lift Birmingham to a wild 7-5 win over Huntsville Tuesday night in the second of a five-game set at Regions Park. The Barons improved to 28-28 in the second half, while the Stars fell to 27-30 in the second half and 68-59 overall. The Stars fell to 3-9 in extra innings game this season

Brian Omogrosso retired the first five hitters he faced in relief before Mat Gamel singled with two outs in the eighth and Cole Gillespie walked. Jon Link took over and struck out Chris Errecart but a passed ball allowed him to reach to load the bases. Mike Bell then followed with a double over CJ Lang in left field to drive in all three runners to give the Stars a 4-3 lead. Link, with a minor league leading 33 saves, blew a save chance for only a fifth time and for a second time against the Stars.

Mike Jones threw three scoreless innings in relief of starter Donovan Hand and turned the game over in the bottom of the ninth to closer Juan Sandoval, who gave up a single to the leadoff man Lee Cruz, who was bunted to second base. Cruz advanced to third on a wild pitch before Robert Hudson walked and stole second. Erick San Pedro then sent a line drive into the alley in left-center field that Lorenzo Cain got his glove on but could not hold. Cruz scored to tie the game but Hudson was thrown out at the plate for the second out. Cain then made a spectacular diving catch on a fly ball hit to right-center field by Miguel Negron to send the game into extra innings.

Ryan Rote took over on the hill for the Barons in the tenth and hit Gillespie with one out. He stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on another wild pitch that was ball four to Errecart to put the Stars back on top at 5-4. The Barons tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Mercedes led off with a triple and scored on a Lang sacrifice fly. Birmingham loaded the bases against Robert Hinton with two outs before Hudson bounced into a force at third to end the inning.

San Pedro led off the bottom of the eleventh with a walk before Mercedes lined a 1-1 offering from Hinton over the wall in right field for the decisive blow and his 11th home run of the season. Mercedes also hit for the cycle on June 10 of last season, becoming the first Barons' player to do so since Reggie Jackson in 1967. Fernando Hernandez (6-4) grabbed the win with a scoreless inning of work, while Hinton dropped to 3-4.

Hudson's two-out, two-run double in the fourth pushed the home side's lead to 3-0. Hand was lifted after five innings, giving up nine hits and recording two strikeouts. Gillespie ended an 0-for-15 drought with a run-scoring single in the sixth that got the Stars on the board. Barons' starter Aaron Poreda lasted six innings, giving up six hits, walking two and fanning six but remained winless at home in seven starts.

The series continues Wednesday night with left-hander Brae Wright taking the mound for Huntsville against Barons' right-hander Justin Cassel. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from August 19, 2008


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