Welch and Salome Lead Stars to Win

Published on August 15, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


David Welch threw 6 2/3 solid innings and Angel Salome's first inning home run stood up in Huntsville's 3-1 win over Chattanooga Friday night in the fourth of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars have won three of four in the series to improve to 26-28 in the second half, while the Lookouts dipped to 22-32. Huntsville has won 12 of the 19 games between the teams this season.

Welch stranded Sean Henry at third base with one out in the first inning by getting Justin Turner to line out and Chris Valaika to ground out. Michael Brantley opened the bottom of the frame with a walk and moved to second on an infield hit by Alcides Escobar before Salome launched his 10th home run of the season to right-center field. He has knocked in 22 of his 79 runs this season against the Looks.

Tonys Gutierrez's home run with one out in the second inning was the only offense for the visitors. Welch did not allow another runner past first base and was lifted after a Mat Gamel fielding error allowed BJ Szymanksi to reach. Szymanski stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by Salome but was left there when Steve Bray got Chris Denove to line out. Welch earned his 11th win to match Todd Redmond for the league lead after allowing five hits and fanning five. He went through a start without issuing a walk for the first time since May 12.

Bray retired Valaika with runners at the corners to end the eighth inning and David Johnson got pinch-hitter Michael DeJesus to ground out to end the game with runners at the corners to earn his first save since May 24.

Viola lasted 5 1/3 innings and suffered the loss to drop to 2-7. He allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out three. Viola, Derrik Lutz, Joe Valentine, who tossed a scoreless seventh inning, and Sean Watson, who did the same in the eighth, did not allow a Huntsville runner to advance past second base after the second inning. Salome and Brantley each finished with three of the Stars' nine hits.

The series finishes Saturday evening with right-hander Alex Periard taking the mound against Lookouts' southpaw Camilo Vazquez. 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.

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Southern League Stories from August 15, 2008


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