Wright Outstanding in Pitching Stars to Clutch Win

Published on June 14, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Brae Wright tossed seven strong innings and Matt LaPorta added two insurance runs with a late home run in Huntsville's crucial 4-1 win Saturday night over Jacksonville in the fourth of a five-game set at the Baseball Grounds. The Stars improved to 41-28 and held on to at least a share of the lead in the North Division, pending the outcome of the West Tenn-Chattanooga contest, with one game to go in the first half. The Stars won for just a third time in their last 14 games in Jacksonville.

Alcides Escobar singled with one out in the first, moved to third base on a Mat Gamel single and scored on an Angel Salome ground out to give the visitors the lead against Mario Alvarez, who went one inning in his return from the disabled list in his 10th start of the season. Jacksonville tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Jamie Hoffman singled with two outs, stole second and scored on a Mark Bellhorn base hit.

The Stars regained the lead in the fifth when Escobar reached on a fielder's choice, moved to third on a broken bat single by Gamel and scored on a wild pitch by Marlon Arias, who took over in the fourth after two scoreless frames by Scott Elbert. The Stars received a leadoff triple from Cole Gillespie in the sixth but could not score after Mike Bell grounded out to shortstop and Freddy Parejo's bouncer was fielded at first by Bellhorn, who threw out Gillespie at the plate.

Arias lasted four frames, allowing a run on three hits, walking three and recording one strikeout. Brian Akin took over and worked a scoreless eighth before giving up a two-out, long ball to LaPorta in the ninth. It was his league-leading 19th home run of the season and first in the series.

Wright allowed only a one-out single to Lucas May after the first inning and was aided by inning-ending ground ball double plays in the fourth and seventh innings. He walked four, struck out two and earned his fourth win in his last five starts to improve to 5-6. Joe Bateman worked a scoreless eighth inning before surrendering a leadoff hit to May to open the ninth. The Huntsville hurler hit Juan Gonzalez with one out to bring the potential tying run to the plate but worked out of trouble by striking out Adam Godwin and getting pinch-hitter Matthew Berezay to ground out to first to end the game. He nailed down his fourth save of the season and first since April 16.

The series wraps up Sunday afternoon with right-hander Donovan Hand taking the hill against Suns' right-hander Jesus Castillo. Coverage of the game begins at 1:50 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 June 14, 2008


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