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.