Stars stopped in their tracks by Barons

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.