Stars Shine During Day

Mark Rogers, Mike Jones, and Brandon Kintzler combined to strike-out seven while surrendering only four hits in Tuesday afternoon’s 4-0 victory for the Huntsville Stars (17-15) over the Montgomery Biscuits (17-14).

Rogers (2-2), a former first round draft pick of the Brewers, managed his control nicely through his five innings of work to earn the win. He walked three and struck-out three while allowing only one hit. After a couple of rocky outings, Tuesday matched Rogers’ season-high for innings pitched in a game.

The bullpen has been solid all year and Tuesday was no different. Long-time Star Mike Jones walked a bit of a tightrope, but ended up throwing three shutout innings of his own while giving up two hits, walking two, and striking out three.

Brandon Kintzler was Brandon Kintzler in the ninth…meaning he threw a scoreless frame with minimal problem. The reliever has now started the season with 13.2 innings of shutout ball.

The Stars took the early lead in the top of the second against Biscuits’ starter Jake McGee thanks to the bottom of their order. Chris Errecart singled to lead-off the frame. After Andy Machado walked, Juan Sanchez, recently called up from Brevard County, laid down a nice sacrifice bunt. Some small ball from Chuckie Caufield produced a sacrifice fly, scoring Errecart, and it was 1-0 Stars.

It was Errecart providing the spark again in the top of the fourth as he doubled with nobody out. A sacrifice bunt from Machado moved him to third and a throwing error on the play allowed Errecart to scamper all the way to the plate for the game’s second run.

Then the Stars did something they don’t normally do: use the long ball. After Brent Brewer singled in the fifth off reliever Justin Garcia, Martin Maldonado went yard for the second time this year to extend the lead to 4-0.

With the Smokies winning as well, the Stars remain four back in the North Division race.

Huntsville takes on the Biscuits Wednesday night at 7:05pm central time in game three of the five game series. Tune in at 6:50pm for the Window World Pre-Game Report.