By Aaron Morse
Caleb Gindl came up big off the bench and Brandon Kintzler (1-0) earned his first win of the season as the Huntsville Stars (13-10) scored two runs in the ninth and one more in the 11th to prevail 4-3 over the Birmingham Barons (6-16) Saturday night.
The Stars’ biggest problem all year long has been defense, and the bottom of the first inning on Saturday was no different. John Shelby started things off with a grounder to short, the throw from Zelous Wheeler to first base was dropped by Chris Errecart. The next batter, Dale Mollenhauer lined a base hit to center field. It appeared they’d be able to get Mollenhauer out between first and second, but Brett Lawrie instead attempted to get Shelby going from first to third, and he threw it into the camera well, allowing Shelby to score and for Mollenhauer to advance to third. A ground-out scored Mollenhauer. But the Barons weren’t done. Brent Morel doubled to left, and with two outs Lee Cruz singled him home to extend the lead to 3-0.
But Huntsville battled back in the top half of the second inning thanks to some shaky defense on the Barons’ part. With one away, Chris Errecart reached on a throwing error by Morel. With two down, and two on after a Steffan Wilson single, Chuckie Caufield, playing in place of the injured Caleb Gindl, delivered a clutch single to left to drive in Errecart.
It would stay at a 3-1 score until the top half of the 9th inning. With one away, Errecart got the rally going with a single to center. Brett Dowdy got his first hit as a Star with a single to shallow leftfield. Wilson followed that with a two-strike single to right to load the bases with only one down. Then the Stars got a little dramatic as they pinch-hit with the previously injured Gindl. Caleb was able to draw a walk to drive in a run and cut the deficit to 3-2. A Martin Maldonado sacrifice fly tied the game, but Lee Haydel struck out to end the inning.
Errecart continued his nice day at the plate with a lead-off double in the top of the 11th. Two outs later, with Errecart on third, Gindl hit a slow chopper to third base. He was able to beat out the throw and the Stars took a 4-3 lead.
Alex Periard went six solid innings, scattering five hits and giving up three runs, but none of them were earned. Jim Henderson tossed 2.1 shutout innings in relief and Kintzler got the win thanks to 2.2 perfect innings to end the game.
Jhonny Nunez pitched well for the Barons, but got a no decision despite five solid innings and no earned runs surrendered. Henry Mabee blew his second save of the year in the ninth and Tyson Corley (0-1) suffered the loss.
The Stars return to action Sunday afternoon as they play 2:05pm central time game against the Barons. Mark Rogers (1-2) will be on the mound as the Stars look to clinch the series victory. Tune to WTKI or http://www.huntsvillestars.com for all the action.
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