By Aaron Morse
Brent Morel drove in two runs and the Huntsville Stars (11-10) left nine men on base as the Birmingham Barons (6-14) prevailed by a final score of 3-1 Thursday night.
The Barons got off to a fast start in the bottom of the first against Stars’ starter Chris Cody (2-2). With one away, Greg Paiml drew a walk. That was followed by a Jim Gallagher single to right. Chuck Caufield attempted to get Paiml going from first to third, but was unsuccessful, the resulting throw allowed Gallagher to advance to second. With two on in scoring position, it looked like the Barons were headed towards a big inning. Morel singled to right to score Paiml. The throw to the plate was cut-off as Gallagher held at third, but Morel attempted to head to second on the play and Chris Errecart threw him out. After the next batter was hit by a pitch, Cody was able to get out of the jam with no further damage as he struck out Lee Cruz.
The Barons threatened in the second inning as they loaded the bases with only one away. But Cody was able to get a good old fashioned 5-4-3 double play to escape the inning unscathed.
Then the Stars were able to get even things up thanks mostly to Lee Haydel in the bottom half of the second. Haydel started the inning with a beautiful bunt single. The speedster stole second and advanced to third as the throw sailed into centerfield. One out later Caufield grounded out to drive Haydel home.
The Stars struggled mightily throughout the game with runners in scoring position. They finished the game 0-8 in that category.
Cody settled down but gave up a solo homer to John Shelby in the fifth as the Barons took a 2-1 lead. Cody ended the day by tossing five innings, surrendering five hits, giving up two runs, while walking three and striking out three as well.
Morel would single home Paiml again in the eighth off reliever Mike Jones to give the Barons an insurance run.
Despite out-hitting the Barons 10-6, the Stars saw their hold on second place erased as both the Lookouts and the Diamond Jaxx won today.
All three teams are now four games back of the Tennessee Smokies. Join us on WTKI and http://www.huntsvillestars.com Friday, beginning at 6:50pm Central Time for the Window World Pre-Game Show. Amaury Rivas (3-0) will be on the mound as he looks to help break the Stars’ first 3-game losing streak of the year.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Stars score early and often on their way to victory
By Aaron Morse
The Huntsville Stars (11-7) scored runs in four of the first five innings to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts (8-10) by a final score of 8-2 Monday night.
The Lookouts were a mess in the field as they committed four errors. Only two of the eight Stars’ runs were earned.
The Stars have been getting off to fast starts all year long and Monday was no different. With one out in the first inning Brett Lawrie singled to left. He’d advance to third on a wild pitch from Lookouts’ starter Mario Alvarez (2-2), and he’d score on a RBI single from red-hot Zelous Wheeler. Wheeler would finish the game with two hits, two runs scored, and four RBI.
The Stars would run away and hide from the Lookouts in the second frame. The inning started innocently enough with a ground-out and a strikeout. But Lee Haydel reached on an error, and the floodgates opened. A wild pick-off attempt from Alvarez allowed the speedy Haydel to scamper around to third.
After Lawrie drew a walk, Caleb Gindl hit what looked like a routine grounder to short. Shortstop Elian Herrera looked to toss it to second base for the force, but no one was covering, so he re-adjusted and fired to first. Gindl would have beat it out anyways, but the throw was low, allowing Lawrie to advance to third and Gindl to second. Meanwhile, Haydel crossed the plate with the game’s second run. Then Wheeler went the opposite way for his first homer of the year, a three run blast to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Lookouts would get two runs back in the top of the fourth off Stars’ pitcher Alex Periard (1-2). A one-out double from Andrew Lambo put the Lookouts in business. After a Mike Rivera single, Lambo came around to score on a Eduardo Perez base hit up the middle. Scott Van Slyke grounded into a fielder’s choice, which plated Rivera.
But that’s all the offense the Lookouts could muster as Periard went five strong innings to pick up his first win of the year. The Stars would get the runs back in the bottom half of the frame thanks to a bizarre single from Taylor Green. With runners on first and second, Green hit a line drive to left field, Gindl was held up at third base at first, but he strayed a bit off the bag. A snap throw attempt back to third got away, allowing Gindl and Wheeler to come around to score.
A Haydel RBI single in the fifth concluded the scoring for the Stars.
Mike McClendon and Brandon Kintzler combined to toss four shutout innings out of the ‘pen as Stars kept pace with the torrid Tennessee Smokies.
The Stars look to clinch yet another series victory Tuesday night as former first round draft pick Mark Rogers (1-1, 1.98) will be on the hill. You can tune in by going to http://www.huntsvillestars.com. First pitch is at 7pm Central Time, with the Window World Pre-Game Report beginning at 6:45.
The Huntsville Stars (11-7) scored runs in four of the first five innings to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts (8-10) by a final score of 8-2 Monday night.
The Lookouts were a mess in the field as they committed four errors. Only two of the eight Stars’ runs were earned.
The Stars have been getting off to fast starts all year long and Monday was no different. With one out in the first inning Brett Lawrie singled to left. He’d advance to third on a wild pitch from Lookouts’ starter Mario Alvarez (2-2), and he’d score on a RBI single from red-hot Zelous Wheeler. Wheeler would finish the game with two hits, two runs scored, and four RBI.
The Stars would run away and hide from the Lookouts in the second frame. The inning started innocently enough with a ground-out and a strikeout. But Lee Haydel reached on an error, and the floodgates opened. A wild pick-off attempt from Alvarez allowed the speedy Haydel to scamper around to third.
After Lawrie drew a walk, Caleb Gindl hit what looked like a routine grounder to short. Shortstop Elian Herrera looked to toss it to second base for the force, but no one was covering, so he re-adjusted and fired to first. Gindl would have beat it out anyways, but the throw was low, allowing Lawrie to advance to third and Gindl to second. Meanwhile, Haydel crossed the plate with the game’s second run. Then Wheeler went the opposite way for his first homer of the year, a three run blast to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Lookouts would get two runs back in the top of the fourth off Stars’ pitcher Alex Periard (1-2). A one-out double from Andrew Lambo put the Lookouts in business. After a Mike Rivera single, Lambo came around to score on a Eduardo Perez base hit up the middle. Scott Van Slyke grounded into a fielder’s choice, which plated Rivera.
But that’s all the offense the Lookouts could muster as Periard went five strong innings to pick up his first win of the year. The Stars would get the runs back in the bottom half of the frame thanks to a bizarre single from Taylor Green. With runners on first and second, Green hit a line drive to left field, Gindl was held up at third base at first, but he strayed a bit off the bag. A snap throw attempt back to third got away, allowing Gindl and Wheeler to come around to score.
A Haydel RBI single in the fifth concluded the scoring for the Stars.
Mike McClendon and Brandon Kintzler combined to toss four shutout innings out of the ‘pen as Stars kept pace with the torrid Tennessee Smokies.
The Stars look to clinch yet another series victory Tuesday night as former first round draft pick Mark Rogers (1-1, 1.98) will be on the hill. You can tune in by going to http://www.huntsvillestars.com. First pitch is at 7pm Central Time, with the Window World Pre-Game Report beginning at 6:45.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Stars split DH with Lookouts
By: Connor Shreve
The Huntsville Stars split Sunday’s doubleheader with the Chattanooga lookouts to kick off a five game series at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville.
Behind ace Amaury Rivas (3-0 0.78), the Stars put on a well rounded show. Rivas tossed a complete game gem in the seven inning contest allowing only one run, it came in the first and was unearned. Three Stars added multi hit efforts including Lorenzo Cain, who knocked three hits.
Chris Withrow (1-2 9.00) threw for the Lookouts and lasted only one out in to the third inning. He gave up seven runs on seven hits while striking out four.
Huntsville’s 10th win had eluded them through the final two games of the previous series in West Tennessee but the squads’ season long losing streak stayed at two games with the 7-1 win.
Chattanooga did manage to hold on to a precarious lead in game two to salvage the split. After blasting Stars Starter Mike Jones for five runs in the first inning, Chattanooga gave up runs in the third, fourth and fifth to lead by just one by the time Alberto Bastardo departed. Huntsville’s best rally came in the sixth with one run but it was cut short by back to back strike outs.
Jones (0-1 8.08), being used as a starter for the first time this season, left after finishing the third having given up five earned runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked three Lookouts batters. Bastardo (2-1 4.95) worked through five innings, allowing four runs and striking out four.
Stars center fielder Lorenzo Cain departed in the fourth inning after pulling up with an unknown injury while running in to second base on a two RBI double.
Game three between the Stars and Lookouts is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT. Pre-game coverage on www.huntsvillestars.com begins at 6:50.
The Huntsville Stars split Sunday’s doubleheader with the Chattanooga lookouts to kick off a five game series at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville.
Behind ace Amaury Rivas (3-0 0.78), the Stars put on a well rounded show. Rivas tossed a complete game gem in the seven inning contest allowing only one run, it came in the first and was unearned. Three Stars added multi hit efforts including Lorenzo Cain, who knocked three hits.
Chris Withrow (1-2 9.00) threw for the Lookouts and lasted only one out in to the third inning. He gave up seven runs on seven hits while striking out four.
Huntsville’s 10th win had eluded them through the final two games of the previous series in West Tennessee but the squads’ season long losing streak stayed at two games with the 7-1 win.
Chattanooga did manage to hold on to a precarious lead in game two to salvage the split. After blasting Stars Starter Mike Jones for five runs in the first inning, Chattanooga gave up runs in the third, fourth and fifth to lead by just one by the time Alberto Bastardo departed. Huntsville’s best rally came in the sixth with one run but it was cut short by back to back strike outs.
Jones (0-1 8.08), being used as a starter for the first time this season, left after finishing the third having given up five earned runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked three Lookouts batters. Bastardo (2-1 4.95) worked through five innings, allowing four runs and striking out four.
Stars center fielder Lorenzo Cain departed in the fourth inning after pulling up with an unknown injury while running in to second base on a two RBI double.
Game three between the Stars and Lookouts is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT. Pre-game coverage on www.huntsvillestars.com begins at 6:50.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Diamond Jaxx use big second inning to roll over Stars
By Aaron Morse
The West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (6-9) used a 7-run second inning and slugged five homers in the game to crush the Huntsville Stars (9-6) by a final score of 12-1 in a rain-shortened affair Friday night.
Stars starting pitcher Chris Cody (2-1) had been quite effective in his first two outings of the year, and he mowed down the Diamond Jaxx in the first inning. But West Tenn. flexed their muscles in the second as Mike Wilson started things off with a solo homer to left. Then the Diamond Jaxx made it back-to-back jacks with a Guillermo Quiroz bomb. Back-to-back singles followed by a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Carlos Triunfel. He proceeded to clear them with a grand salami. A couple more base hits chased Cody from the game.
Mark Willinsky entered the game and pitched effectively at first, and the Stars got one back in the top of the fourth thanks to a Zelous Wheeler RBI single which plated Lorenzo Cain. But Willinsky, fresh off the 7-day DL, ran into trouble in the fourth. Triuenfel reached on an error, and one out later Carlos Peguero cleared the bases with a two-run jack. Willinsky walked Dustin Ackley and Wilson proceeded to blast his second homer of the night.
A RBI ground-out from Triunfel in the fifth off reliever Donovan Hand to extend the lead to 12-1.
The skies opened up after the top of the seventh inning and the game was concluded due to the rainy weather.
The Stars managed only four hits off Diamond Jaxx pitchers Steven Hensley and Josh Fields. Cain scored the lone run as he looks to start a new hitting streak after having his 13-gamer broken Thursday night.
Huntsville returns to Joe Davis Stadium Saturday night with a 6pm first pitch against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Stars won their opening series of the year three games to two against Chattanooga. That’s the same margin they’ve now won all three series they’ve played this season. Amaury Rivas (2-0) will be on the mound and you can tune in on 1450 AM/92.9 FM WTKI starting at 5:45pm for the Window World Pre-Game Show. The game can also be heard on http://www.huntsvillestars.com. Highlights and recaps can be found on http://www.chadandersonweb.com. Make sure you follow the Huntsville Stars Radio Network on Twitter at www.twitter.com/huntsvillestars and you can become a fan of the Huntsville Stars Radio Network on Facebook.
The West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (6-9) used a 7-run second inning and slugged five homers in the game to crush the Huntsville Stars (9-6) by a final score of 12-1 in a rain-shortened affair Friday night.
Stars starting pitcher Chris Cody (2-1) had been quite effective in his first two outings of the year, and he mowed down the Diamond Jaxx in the first inning. But West Tenn. flexed their muscles in the second as Mike Wilson started things off with a solo homer to left. Then the Diamond Jaxx made it back-to-back jacks with a Guillermo Quiroz bomb. Back-to-back singles followed by a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Carlos Triunfel. He proceeded to clear them with a grand salami. A couple more base hits chased Cody from the game.
Mark Willinsky entered the game and pitched effectively at first, and the Stars got one back in the top of the fourth thanks to a Zelous Wheeler RBI single which plated Lorenzo Cain. But Willinsky, fresh off the 7-day DL, ran into trouble in the fourth. Triuenfel reached on an error, and one out later Carlos Peguero cleared the bases with a two-run jack. Willinsky walked Dustin Ackley and Wilson proceeded to blast his second homer of the night.
A RBI ground-out from Triunfel in the fifth off reliever Donovan Hand to extend the lead to 12-1.
The skies opened up after the top of the seventh inning and the game was concluded due to the rainy weather.
The Stars managed only four hits off Diamond Jaxx pitchers Steven Hensley and Josh Fields. Cain scored the lone run as he looks to start a new hitting streak after having his 13-gamer broken Thursday night.
Huntsville returns to Joe Davis Stadium Saturday night with a 6pm first pitch against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Stars won their opening series of the year three games to two against Chattanooga. That’s the same margin they’ve now won all three series they’ve played this season. Amaury Rivas (2-0) will be on the mound and you can tune in on 1450 AM/92.9 FM WTKI starting at 5:45pm for the Window World Pre-Game Show. The game can also be heard on http://www.huntsvillestars.com. Highlights and recaps can be found on http://www.chadandersonweb.com. Make sure you follow the Huntsville Stars Radio Network on Twitter at www.twitter.com/huntsvillestars and you can become a fan of the Huntsville Stars Radio Network on Facebook.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Stars shutout Diamond Jaxx for fifth straight win
By Aaron Morse
Mark Rogers (1-1), Jim Henderson, and Robert Hinton combined to shutout the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (4-9) Wednesday afternoon as the Huntsville Stars (9-4) clinched a series victory, knocking off West Tenn. by a final score of 7-0.
Rogers earned his first win of the young season by going five innings, scattering five hits, walking two and striking out four.
The Stars got on the board against Diamond Jaxx starter Mauricio Robles (1-1) in the third. Anderson Machado started things off with a double down the right field line. New catcher Martin Maldonado, just called up from Brevard County, laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Machado to third. A wild pitch from Robles allowed Machado to score.
That’d be all the runs the Stars needed, but the offense tacked on a few more anyway. In the top of the fourth, Zelous Wheeler hit a double to the right field wall. Then Taylor Green did what he does better than anyone else in the Southern League, he doubled to drive in Wheeler. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Machado grounded in to a fielder’s choice to drive in Green.
With one out in the sixth, Lee Haydel tripled to right field. With the infield in, Machado hit a little blooper that fell on the edge of the infield dirt to extend the lead to 4-0.
A bunch of walks and a Lorenzo Cain RBI single in the top of the 9th inning tacked on three more runs to give the Stars a 7-0 lead, and that’s how the game would end.
A bunch of Stars had big days. Wheeler went 3-4 with 2 runs scored, while Machado went 2-4 with 3 RBI and a run scored. Meanwhile Haydel, fresh from a day off, went 2-4 with 2 runs scored. Cain got two hits to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, which ties the Stars record for longest hitting streak to begin a season. Green tallied a couple of hits and his RBI was his 13th of the year, tops in the Southern League.
The victory was a season-high fifth consecutive win for the Stars and they’re back in action Thursday night. Michael Bowman (2-0) will be on the mound. The Stars Radio Network team will have the call beginning at 6:50pm Central Time with the Window World Pre-Game Show. First pitch is at 7:05.
Mark Rogers (1-1), Jim Henderson, and Robert Hinton combined to shutout the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (4-9) Wednesday afternoon as the Huntsville Stars (9-4) clinched a series victory, knocking off West Tenn. by a final score of 7-0.
Rogers earned his first win of the young season by going five innings, scattering five hits, walking two and striking out four.
The Stars got on the board against Diamond Jaxx starter Mauricio Robles (1-1) in the third. Anderson Machado started things off with a double down the right field line. New catcher Martin Maldonado, just called up from Brevard County, laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Machado to third. A wild pitch from Robles allowed Machado to score.
That’d be all the runs the Stars needed, but the offense tacked on a few more anyway. In the top of the fourth, Zelous Wheeler hit a double to the right field wall. Then Taylor Green did what he does better than anyone else in the Southern League, he doubled to drive in Wheeler. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Machado grounded in to a fielder’s choice to drive in Green.
With one out in the sixth, Lee Haydel tripled to right field. With the infield in, Machado hit a little blooper that fell on the edge of the infield dirt to extend the lead to 4-0.
A bunch of walks and a Lorenzo Cain RBI single in the top of the 9th inning tacked on three more runs to give the Stars a 7-0 lead, and that’s how the game would end.
A bunch of Stars had big days. Wheeler went 3-4 with 2 runs scored, while Machado went 2-4 with 3 RBI and a run scored. Meanwhile Haydel, fresh from a day off, went 2-4 with 2 runs scored. Cain got two hits to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, which ties the Stars record for longest hitting streak to begin a season. Green tallied a couple of hits and his RBI was his 13th of the year, tops in the Southern League.
The victory was a season-high fifth consecutive win for the Stars and they’re back in action Thursday night. Michael Bowman (2-0) will be on the mound. The Stars Radio Network team will have the call beginning at 6:50pm Central Time with the Window World Pre-Game Show. First pitch is at 7:05.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Stars Win First Come From Behind Game of Year
By: Conor Shreve
The Huntsville offense experienced no problems operating without the Southern League’s batting leader, coming from behind for a 4-3 win over the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.
The Stars placed a two spot on the scoreboard in the first inning en route to victory. Lorenzo Cain started the inning with a single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. After swiping a league leading eighth stolen base, the Stars center fielder came home on a single from Zelous Wheeler. Wheeler went 1-3 while hitting fourth in place of Jonathan Lucroy who was called up to AAA Nashville earlier in the day. Following a Taylor Green double, Steffan Wilson connected for his first hit in six tries to bring Wheeler home.
After scoring one in the second inning, West Tennessee took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kuo Hui Lo scored first after a leadoff double. With Carlos Peguero on third, Wheeler fielded a ground ball off the bat of Mike Wilson and fired home where Stars catcher Sean McCraw dropped the ball in a collision at the plate. Wheeler was given a throwing error, his fifth of the season.
The Stars spark again came in the form of Cain; in the eighth inning he led off with a triple. 20 year old Brett Lawrie came through with a single next at bat to tie the contest. Caleb Gindl followed with a single to force a pitching change. Robert Rohrbaugh’s entrance didn’t faze Zelous Wheeler who took a five ball walk. Taylor Green grounded home Brett Lawrie on a fielder’s choice for his lone RBI of the night. It was all the Stars bullpen needed; Donovan Hand worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings before departing for Stars closer Brandon Kintzler who allowed one base runner in picking up his fourth save.
The Stars and Diamond Jaxx play early on Wednesday, very early. First pitch at Pringles Park is scheduled for 11:05. The Stars will Send Mark Rogers (0-1 3.12) to face Mauricio Robles (1-0 2.89). The Stars early season schedule is a grueling one, 18 games remain before Huntsville gets their second day off on May 9.
The Huntsville offense experienced no problems operating without the Southern League’s batting leader, coming from behind for a 4-3 win over the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.
The Stars placed a two spot on the scoreboard in the first inning en route to victory. Lorenzo Cain started the inning with a single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. After swiping a league leading eighth stolen base, the Stars center fielder came home on a single from Zelous Wheeler. Wheeler went 1-3 while hitting fourth in place of Jonathan Lucroy who was called up to AAA Nashville earlier in the day. Following a Taylor Green double, Steffan Wilson connected for his first hit in six tries to bring Wheeler home.
After scoring one in the second inning, West Tennessee took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kuo Hui Lo scored first after a leadoff double. With Carlos Peguero on third, Wheeler fielded a ground ball off the bat of Mike Wilson and fired home where Stars catcher Sean McCraw dropped the ball in a collision at the plate. Wheeler was given a throwing error, his fifth of the season.
The Stars spark again came in the form of Cain; in the eighth inning he led off with a triple. 20 year old Brett Lawrie came through with a single next at bat to tie the contest. Caleb Gindl followed with a single to force a pitching change. Robert Rohrbaugh’s entrance didn’t faze Zelous Wheeler who took a five ball walk. Taylor Green grounded home Brett Lawrie on a fielder’s choice for his lone RBI of the night. It was all the Stars bullpen needed; Donovan Hand worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings before departing for Stars closer Brandon Kintzler who allowed one base runner in picking up his fourth save.
The Stars and Diamond Jaxx play early on Wednesday, very early. First pitch at Pringles Park is scheduled for 11:05. The Stars will Send Mark Rogers (0-1 3.12) to face Mauricio Robles (1-0 2.89). The Stars early season schedule is a grueling one, 18 games remain before Huntsville gets their second day off on May 9.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Stars take opener from West Tenn
By Conor Shreve
The Huntsville Stars baseball team continued their winning ways Monday night with a 9-2 pounding of the West Tennesee Diamond Jaxx. It’s the Stars seventh win this season and third in a row, four more remain at Pringles Park in Jackson, TN.
The Stars stellar center fielder Lorenzo Cain extended his prodigious hitting streak to 11 games in the third and took advantage of poor defensive play from West Tennessee to move in to scoring position before being singled in by Jonathan Lucroy. After reaching first, a wild pickoff attempt from Diamond Jaxx starting pitcher Dan Cortez followed by a wild pitch allowed Cain to move to third. Taylor Green doubled in Lucroy for his 11th RBI this season.
Sloppy play defined the night of the Diamond Jaxx. West Tennesse committed four errors Monday night, one day after picking up five in an 11-2 losing effort against Mississippi.
Huntsville ace Amaury Rivas battled rare control issues to put together his third straight solid performance in picking up his second win of 2010. Early in the game Rivas tossed six straight balls. An inning later he plunked back to back batters but relied on some defensive creativity to help get out of the third inning. Stars backstop Lucroy caught Alex Liddi straying too far off of first base after being hit by Rivas to lead off the inning. One pitch later, Rivas hit Kuo Hui Lo who made it to third before Rivas worked out of the inning. The Huntsville Hurler allowed one run in six innings, one more than in each of his previous two starts; Rivas walked three and struck out four.
Rivas’ counterpart Dan Cortez failed to get out of the fourth, giving up four runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings of work. He struck out three and walked three in picking up his first decision of the season, a loss.
Game two between Huntsville and West Tennessee starts Tuesday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05. The two squads will have to dig deep with a morning start on Wednesday at Pringles Park set for 11:05. Stars baseball can be heard locally on WTKI AM 1450/FM 92.9 and WEKI AM 1490. The Stars can be streamed on www.huntsvillestars.com
The Huntsville Stars baseball team continued their winning ways Monday night with a 9-2 pounding of the West Tennesee Diamond Jaxx. It’s the Stars seventh win this season and third in a row, four more remain at Pringles Park in Jackson, TN.
The Stars stellar center fielder Lorenzo Cain extended his prodigious hitting streak to 11 games in the third and took advantage of poor defensive play from West Tennessee to move in to scoring position before being singled in by Jonathan Lucroy. After reaching first, a wild pickoff attempt from Diamond Jaxx starting pitcher Dan Cortez followed by a wild pitch allowed Cain to move to third. Taylor Green doubled in Lucroy for his 11th RBI this season.
Sloppy play defined the night of the Diamond Jaxx. West Tennesse committed four errors Monday night, one day after picking up five in an 11-2 losing effort against Mississippi.
Huntsville ace Amaury Rivas battled rare control issues to put together his third straight solid performance in picking up his second win of 2010. Early in the game Rivas tossed six straight balls. An inning later he plunked back to back batters but relied on some defensive creativity to help get out of the third inning. Stars backstop Lucroy caught Alex Liddi straying too far off of first base after being hit by Rivas to lead off the inning. One pitch later, Rivas hit Kuo Hui Lo who made it to third before Rivas worked out of the inning. The Huntsville Hurler allowed one run in six innings, one more than in each of his previous two starts; Rivas walked three and struck out four.
Rivas’ counterpart Dan Cortez failed to get out of the fourth, giving up four runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings of work. He struck out three and walked three in picking up his first decision of the season, a loss.
Game two between Huntsville and West Tennessee starts Tuesday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05. The two squads will have to dig deep with a morning start on Wednesday at Pringles Park set for 11:05. Stars baseball can be heard locally on WTKI AM 1450/FM 92.9 and WEKI AM 1490. The Stars can be streamed on www.huntsvillestars.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Opening Night a great one as the Stars win easily over Jacksonville
By Aaron Morse
The 2010 home opener for the Huntsville Stars (4-2) was their best all-around performance of the year as they knocked off the Jacksonville Suns (2-4) by a final score of 7-1 on Wednesday.
Amaury Rivas (1-0) went five solid innings, surrendering only one run while striking out four to pick up his first win of the year. Meanwhile, the Stars jumped on Jacksonville starter Elih Villanueva right away in the bottom half of the first.
Lorenzo Cain started things off with a single up the gut. Brett Lawrie followed that up with a walk. One out later Jonathan Lucroy legged out an infield single to load the bases. That’s when Taylor Green continued his hot hitting with a 2-RBI double. Chris Errecart followed that up with a sacrifice fly and before you could say “Joe Davis” the Stars had a 3-0 lead.
An Errecart RBI single in the third plated Lucroy to extend the lead to 4-0. But the Suns got a run back in the top of the fourth thanks to a Mark Saccomanno RBI triple. It could have been worse but a tremendous double play got the Stars out of the jam. A Brandon Tripp fly ball to left field with a runner on third was caught by Lee Haydel, who fired the ball home to double up Saccomanno and end the inning.
Then the Stars’ offense, which has been on fire as of late got that run back right away in the bottom half of the frame. And it was Taylor Green who delivered the RBI base-hit as he finished the night 2-5 with 3 RBI. He played Cain, who finished the night 3-5 with two runs scored.
The Stars would put the game out of reach in the sixth inning thanks to in-part to a lead-off Caleb Gindl homer to dead center. With runners on first and second with one away, Lucroy attempted to steal third, the throw was not in time, but third baseman Matt Dominguez attempted to nail Errecart hustling to second on the play. The throw got away allowing Lucroy to score. Lucroy had another huge day in the win. The catcher went 3-5 with 3 runs scored.
Another outstanding performance from the Stars bullpen held down the lead. Jim Henderson went three shut-out innings and Robert Hinton finished things off in the ninth.
The Stars take to the field against the Suns at The Joe again Thursday night at 7pm central time. The pre-game show gets started at 6:45pm on AM 1450/92.9 FM WTKI and www.huntsvillestars.com. Alex Periard (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will be on the mound.
The 2010 home opener for the Huntsville Stars (4-2) was their best all-around performance of the year as they knocked off the Jacksonville Suns (2-4) by a final score of 7-1 on Wednesday.
Amaury Rivas (1-0) went five solid innings, surrendering only one run while striking out four to pick up his first win of the year. Meanwhile, the Stars jumped on Jacksonville starter Elih Villanueva right away in the bottom half of the first.
Lorenzo Cain started things off with a single up the gut. Brett Lawrie followed that up with a walk. One out later Jonathan Lucroy legged out an infield single to load the bases. That’s when Taylor Green continued his hot hitting with a 2-RBI double. Chris Errecart followed that up with a sacrifice fly and before you could say “Joe Davis” the Stars had a 3-0 lead.
An Errecart RBI single in the third plated Lucroy to extend the lead to 4-0. But the Suns got a run back in the top of the fourth thanks to a Mark Saccomanno RBI triple. It could have been worse but a tremendous double play got the Stars out of the jam. A Brandon Tripp fly ball to left field with a runner on third was caught by Lee Haydel, who fired the ball home to double up Saccomanno and end the inning.
Then the Stars’ offense, which has been on fire as of late got that run back right away in the bottom half of the frame. And it was Taylor Green who delivered the RBI base-hit as he finished the night 2-5 with 3 RBI. He played Cain, who finished the night 3-5 with two runs scored.
The Stars would put the game out of reach in the sixth inning thanks to in-part to a lead-off Caleb Gindl homer to dead center. With runners on first and second with one away, Lucroy attempted to steal third, the throw was not in time, but third baseman Matt Dominguez attempted to nail Errecart hustling to second on the play. The throw got away allowing Lucroy to score. Lucroy had another huge day in the win. The catcher went 3-5 with 3 runs scored.
Another outstanding performance from the Stars bullpen held down the lead. Jim Henderson went three shut-out innings and Robert Hinton finished things off in the ninth.
The Stars take to the field against the Suns at The Joe again Thursday night at 7pm central time. The pre-game show gets started at 6:45pm on AM 1450/92.9 FM WTKI and www.huntsvillestars.com. Alex Periard (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will be on the mound.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Stars take advantage of Lookouts’ miscues to win series finale
By Aaron Morse
Taylor Green drove in three runs and Lee Haydel drove in two as the Huntsville Stars (3-2) benefited from four Chattanooga Lookouts (2-3) errors to prevail 7-4 on Monday.
The first three innings went by in no time as the Stars’ Chris Cody (1-0) and the Lookouts’ Jesus Castillo (0-1) were in complete control. But in the top of the fourth the Stars took the 1-0 lead as Caleb Gindl reached on a grounder that snuck under the glove of second baseman Jaime Pedroza for an error. With two outs, it appeared Castillo was going to get out of the jam when Taylor Green hit a sky-high pop-up into shallow right center field. But the Lookouts’ fielders lost the ball in the lights and it dropped in for a RBI triple.
In the 5th, the Stars got to Castillo again as Haydel started things off with a single. He stole second and one out later scored on a Lorenzo Cain hot-shot that deflected off the glove of shortstop Dee Gordon for an error. But the Lookouts finally pushed a run across the plate in the bottom half of the frame against Cody. Corey Smith started things off with a double, moved to third on bunt single from Gordon, and scored on an Elian Herrera sacrifice fly. Cody would get out of the inning suffering no further damage, but that would be all for him in the game.
The Stars looked like they had the game well in-hand after they scored one in the sixth and two in the seventh to take a 5-1 lead.
The sixth inning featured yet another error from the Lookouts as Zelous Wheeler hit a grounder to second base with two outs and two on. Pedroza had it go off his glove for his third error of the game, allowing Jonathan Lucroy to come around and score. Then in the seventh Green doubled in Lucroy and Cain.
But the Lookouts battled back against the Stars’ bullpen. After scoring one in the seventh on a RBI ground-out from Herrera, the Lookouts mounted their biggest challenge in the eighth.
Andrew Lambo started things off with a double, and two outs later scored on a Scott Van Slyke single. After Smith walked, Gordon doubled home Van Slyke to make it a 5-4 game and put the go-ahead run in scoring position.
At that point Brandon Kintzler entered the game to try and bail the Stars out of the jam. He got a break when the Lookouts’ Herrera tried to surprise the Stars with a bunt, which popped straight up in the air to Kintzler for the final out of the inning.
The Stars added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth thanks to a two-RBI single from Haydel and Kintzler nailed down his second save of the year as he retired the Lookouts in order in the bottom half of the frame.
The Stars have an off day on Tuesday and return to Joe Davis Stadium for their home opener against Jacksonville on Wednesday night at 7:00pm Central Time. That game can be heard on 1450 AM/92.9 FM WTKI, http://www.huntsvillestars.com and all throughout the Stars Radio Network.
Taylor Green drove in three runs and Lee Haydel drove in two as the Huntsville Stars (3-2) benefited from four Chattanooga Lookouts (2-3) errors to prevail 7-4 on Monday.
The first three innings went by in no time as the Stars’ Chris Cody (1-0) and the Lookouts’ Jesus Castillo (0-1) were in complete control. But in the top of the fourth the Stars took the 1-0 lead as Caleb Gindl reached on a grounder that snuck under the glove of second baseman Jaime Pedroza for an error. With two outs, it appeared Castillo was going to get out of the jam when Taylor Green hit a sky-high pop-up into shallow right center field. But the Lookouts’ fielders lost the ball in the lights and it dropped in for a RBI triple.
In the 5th, the Stars got to Castillo again as Haydel started things off with a single. He stole second and one out later scored on a Lorenzo Cain hot-shot that deflected off the glove of shortstop Dee Gordon for an error. But the Lookouts finally pushed a run across the plate in the bottom half of the frame against Cody. Corey Smith started things off with a double, moved to third on bunt single from Gordon, and scored on an Elian Herrera sacrifice fly. Cody would get out of the inning suffering no further damage, but that would be all for him in the game.
The Stars looked like they had the game well in-hand after they scored one in the sixth and two in the seventh to take a 5-1 lead.
The sixth inning featured yet another error from the Lookouts as Zelous Wheeler hit a grounder to second base with two outs and two on. Pedroza had it go off his glove for his third error of the game, allowing Jonathan Lucroy to come around and score. Then in the seventh Green doubled in Lucroy and Cain.
But the Lookouts battled back against the Stars’ bullpen. After scoring one in the seventh on a RBI ground-out from Herrera, the Lookouts mounted their biggest challenge in the eighth.
Andrew Lambo started things off with a double, and two outs later scored on a Scott Van Slyke single. After Smith walked, Gordon doubled home Van Slyke to make it a 5-4 game and put the go-ahead run in scoring position.
At that point Brandon Kintzler entered the game to try and bail the Stars out of the jam. He got a break when the Lookouts’ Herrera tried to surprise the Stars with a bunt, which popped straight up in the air to Kintzler for the final out of the inning.
The Stars added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth thanks to a two-RBI single from Haydel and Kintzler nailed down his second save of the year as he retired the Lookouts in order in the bottom half of the frame.
The Stars have an off day on Tuesday and return to Joe Davis Stadium for their home opener against Jacksonville on Wednesday night at 7:00pm Central Time. That game can be heard on 1450 AM/92.9 FM WTKI, http://www.huntsvillestars.com and all throughout the Stars Radio Network.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Stars win their second in a row to even series against Lookouts
By Aaron Morse
Caleb Gindl went 4-5 and the Stars bullpen shut down the Lookouts after five solid inning from Michael Bowman as Huntsville (2-2) prevailed 5-2 over Chattanooga (2-2) Sunday afternoon.
Bowman (1-0) struck out six and scattered five hits while surrendering only two runs in his first start of the 2010 season. The former 9th round pick showed why he’s advanced so quickly through the Brewers’ system as he did not walk anyone in his five innings of work.
Meanwhile, the Stars’ offense got on the board in the third inning thanks to some two-out offense. With two away, Lorenzo Cain got hit by the pitch, causing warnings to be issued to both teams since Bowman had hit a man in the previous inning. A wild pitch allowed Cain to advance to second. Then top prospect Brett Lawrie continued his early hot hitting with a single up the middle to drive in Cain. A passed ball put Lawrie on second and Gindl singled up the gut to give the Stars the 2-0 lead.
The Stars tacked on an insurance run in the third inning as Taylor Green reached on an infield single. One out later Zelous Wheeler reached on an error. With two on and one down, Lee Haydel delivered a clutch single to drive in Green.
But the Lookouts battled back in the 5th against Bowman. Dee Gordon doubled to right to start the inning. One out later pinch hitter Tommy Giles crushed a ground-rule double to drive in Gordon. Elian Herrera singled up the middle to drive in Giles. But Bowman was able to get out of the inning without any further damage.
Only up by one, the Stars got a much-needed insurance run in the sixth. Huntsville loaded the bases with only one away. Lawrie crushed a ball deep to left field, just barely missing a grand slam. But the Stars would have to settle for a sacrifice fly. No further runs were scored in the inning, but the Stars’ bullpen was able to hold down the fort.
Mike Jones, Robert Hinton, and Brandon Kintzler combined to toss four shut-out innings, with Kintzler earning his first save of the year.
The Stars tacked on another run in the top of the 9th as Gindl put an exclamation point on his big day with a deep homer to right, his first jack of the year.
John Koronka (0-1) took the loss for the Lookouts.
The two teams square-off in the rubber match of the five-game series Monday at 6:15pm Central Time. The game can be heard on http://www.huntsvillestars.com.
Caleb Gindl went 4-5 and the Stars bullpen shut down the Lookouts after five solid inning from Michael Bowman as Huntsville (2-2) prevailed 5-2 over Chattanooga (2-2) Sunday afternoon.
Bowman (1-0) struck out six and scattered five hits while surrendering only two runs in his first start of the 2010 season. The former 9th round pick showed why he’s advanced so quickly through the Brewers’ system as he did not walk anyone in his five innings of work.
Meanwhile, the Stars’ offense got on the board in the third inning thanks to some two-out offense. With two away, Lorenzo Cain got hit by the pitch, causing warnings to be issued to both teams since Bowman had hit a man in the previous inning. A wild pitch allowed Cain to advance to second. Then top prospect Brett Lawrie continued his early hot hitting with a single up the middle to drive in Cain. A passed ball put Lawrie on second and Gindl singled up the gut to give the Stars the 2-0 lead.
The Stars tacked on an insurance run in the third inning as Taylor Green reached on an infield single. One out later Zelous Wheeler reached on an error. With two on and one down, Lee Haydel delivered a clutch single to drive in Green.
But the Lookouts battled back in the 5th against Bowman. Dee Gordon doubled to right to start the inning. One out later pinch hitter Tommy Giles crushed a ground-rule double to drive in Gordon. Elian Herrera singled up the middle to drive in Giles. But Bowman was able to get out of the inning without any further damage.
Only up by one, the Stars got a much-needed insurance run in the sixth. Huntsville loaded the bases with only one away. Lawrie crushed a ball deep to left field, just barely missing a grand slam. But the Stars would have to settle for a sacrifice fly. No further runs were scored in the inning, but the Stars’ bullpen was able to hold down the fort.
Mike Jones, Robert Hinton, and Brandon Kintzler combined to toss four shut-out innings, with Kintzler earning his first save of the year.
The Stars tacked on another run in the top of the 9th as Gindl put an exclamation point on his big day with a deep homer to right, his first jack of the year.
John Koronka (0-1) took the loss for the Lookouts.
The two teams square-off in the rubber match of the five-game series Monday at 6:15pm Central Time. The game can be heard on http://www.huntsvillestars.com.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Stars can't recover from early deficit
The Huntsville Stars failed to pull their 2010 record even by falling at Chattanooga on Friday night 3-2 in a late inning thriller.
In a departure from Thursday’s season opener, Chattanooga was the first to lead thanks to throwing errors by Zelous Wheeler and Brett Lawrie, respectively. One inning later, Elian Hererra singled home Lookouts third baseman Anthony Hatch to neutralize the Stars first inning score, a run credited to Chris Errecart. Errors have been commonplace for the Stars over the first two games this season. On Thursday, Amaury Rivas’ dazzling five inning effort was wasted; Huntsville gave up four unearned runs in a 4-2 loss.
After a pitching change, Caleb Gindl drew Huntsville to within one by plating Lee Haydel with a two out double in the Stars half of the seventh. Huntsville caught the break of the night in the eighth when Chattanooga catcher Lucas May missed a two out, opposite field home run by mere feet. He instead was relegated to a double. A wiley set of substitutions from new Manager Mike Guerrero, including putting Mike Jones on the mound, preserved the one run deficit as Jones worked his way back in the count against Thursday’s hero Scott Van Slyke to retire him on a soft grounder.
The Stars could not, however, take advantage of the momentum as the Lookouts 24 year old flamethrower Javy Guerra retired the stars in the ninth 1-2-3. The Stars are left hanging their heads as the lone Northern Division team to be without a win in 2010, leaving eight base runners on base Friday night. Alex Periard takes the loss for the Stars allowing three runs (two earned) over six full innings. Alberto Bastardo scattered seven hits over five innings while allowing one run in taking the win. Guerra picks up his second save in as many games.
Three games remain in the current five game series in Chattanooga before the Stars return home on Wednesday. Saturdays contest starts again at 6:15 while Sunday is a matinee affair with a first pitch scheduled for 1:15. Coverage of all Stars baseball games begins 15 minutes before the first pitch and can be heard on the Huntsville Stars Radio Network (AM-1450/92.9-FM WTKI Huntsville) or online at www.huntsvillestars.com, www.chadandersonweb.org and www.wtkiradio.com.
In a departure from Thursday’s season opener, Chattanooga was the first to lead thanks to throwing errors by Zelous Wheeler and Brett Lawrie, respectively. One inning later, Elian Hererra singled home Lookouts third baseman Anthony Hatch to neutralize the Stars first inning score, a run credited to Chris Errecart. Errors have been commonplace for the Stars over the first two games this season. On Thursday, Amaury Rivas’ dazzling five inning effort was wasted; Huntsville gave up four unearned runs in a 4-2 loss.
After a pitching change, Caleb Gindl drew Huntsville to within one by plating Lee Haydel with a two out double in the Stars half of the seventh. Huntsville caught the break of the night in the eighth when Chattanooga catcher Lucas May missed a two out, opposite field home run by mere feet. He instead was relegated to a double. A wiley set of substitutions from new Manager Mike Guerrero, including putting Mike Jones on the mound, preserved the one run deficit as Jones worked his way back in the count against Thursday’s hero Scott Van Slyke to retire him on a soft grounder.
The Stars could not, however, take advantage of the momentum as the Lookouts 24 year old flamethrower Javy Guerra retired the stars in the ninth 1-2-3. The Stars are left hanging their heads as the lone Northern Division team to be without a win in 2010, leaving eight base runners on base Friday night. Alex Periard takes the loss for the Stars allowing three runs (two earned) over six full innings. Alberto Bastardo scattered seven hits over five innings while allowing one run in taking the win. Guerra picks up his second save in as many games.
Three games remain in the current five game series in Chattanooga before the Stars return home on Wednesday. Saturdays contest starts again at 6:15 while Sunday is a matinee affair with a first pitch scheduled for 1:15. Coverage of all Stars baseball games begins 15 minutes before the first pitch and can be heard on the Huntsville Stars Radio Network (AM-1450/92.9-FM WTKI Huntsville) or online at www.huntsvillestars.com, www.chadandersonweb.org and www.wtkiradio.com.
Stars take early lead, but Lookouts prevail in season opener
By: Aaron Morse
The Huntsville Stars wasted no time taking an early 2-0 lead in their first game of the season, but the Chattanooga Lookouts took advantage of three Stars errors and prevailed 4-2 on Thursday night.
Lookouts starter Chris Withrow struggled in the first inning as Brett Lawrie doubled home Lorenzo Cain with nobody out. After Lawrie advanced to third, Taylor Green drove him in with a sacrifice fly. But after that, Withrow was in complete control. He tossed six innings while surrendering only three hits and two runs. At one point, he retired 16 Stars in a row.
But Stars starter Amaury Rivas was tough as nails as he went five shutout innings, scattering three hits, while striking out four and walking three.
The Lookouts got one run back in the sixth off reliever Brandon Kintzler. Andrew Lambo reached on an error, and two outs later Scott Van Slyke doubled him home.
The Stars still hung on to their 2-1 lead until the bottom of the 8th, when the Lookouts exploded for three runs to take the lead for the first time in the game. With one out, Lambo walked, chasing reliever Casey Baron from the game. New pitcher Robert Hinton was immediately victimized by a throwing error that allowed the Lookouts to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one down. One out later, Van Slyke dealt the killer blow as he doubled home both runners to give the Lookouts the 3-2 lead. Pinch hitter Tommy Giles singled home Van Slyke for the insurance run.
Javy Guerra nailed down the save for the Lookouts, who start the year 1-0. Jesus Rodriguez (1-0) picked up the win out of the bullpen, while Hinton (0-1) suffered the loss. All four of the Lookouts’ runs were unearned.
The two teams will do battle tomorrow at 6:15pm Central Time. You can hear all the action on WTKI AM 1450 and FM 92.9. The game can be heard online at www.wtkiradio.com and www.huntsvillestars.com. Pre-game show starts at 6:00.
The Huntsville Stars wasted no time taking an early 2-0 lead in their first game of the season, but the Chattanooga Lookouts took advantage of three Stars errors and prevailed 4-2 on Thursday night.
Lookouts starter Chris Withrow struggled in the first inning as Brett Lawrie doubled home Lorenzo Cain with nobody out. After Lawrie advanced to third, Taylor Green drove him in with a sacrifice fly. But after that, Withrow was in complete control. He tossed six innings while surrendering only three hits and two runs. At one point, he retired 16 Stars in a row.
But Stars starter Amaury Rivas was tough as nails as he went five shutout innings, scattering three hits, while striking out four and walking three.
The Lookouts got one run back in the sixth off reliever Brandon Kintzler. Andrew Lambo reached on an error, and two outs later Scott Van Slyke doubled him home.
The Stars still hung on to their 2-1 lead until the bottom of the 8th, when the Lookouts exploded for three runs to take the lead for the first time in the game. With one out, Lambo walked, chasing reliever Casey Baron from the game. New pitcher Robert Hinton was immediately victimized by a throwing error that allowed the Lookouts to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one down. One out later, Van Slyke dealt the killer blow as he doubled home both runners to give the Lookouts the 3-2 lead. Pinch hitter Tommy Giles singled home Van Slyke for the insurance run.
Javy Guerra nailed down the save for the Lookouts, who start the year 1-0. Jesus Rodriguez (1-0) picked up the win out of the bullpen, while Hinton (0-1) suffered the loss. All four of the Lookouts’ runs were unearned.
The two teams will do battle tomorrow at 6:15pm Central Time. You can hear all the action on WTKI AM 1450 and FM 92.9. The game can be heard online at www.wtkiradio.com and www.huntsvillestars.com. Pre-game show starts at 6:00.
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