Stars get strong pitching and hitting in win over Lookouts

By Aaron Morse

Mark Rogers went five shutout innings, Brett Lawrie drove in three runs, and the Huntsville Stars (9-9, 42-46) knocked off the Chattanooga Lookouts (10-8, 43-44) by a final score of 8-2 Friday night.

Rogers helped his own cause as he doubled with one away in the third inning. Then with two down, Caleb Gindl drilled a double to center, plating Rogers and giving the Stars a 1-0 lead.

They got to Chattanooga starter Mario Alvarez again the very next inning. With one away, Alvarez didn’t help himself as he committed a throwing error, allowing Lee Haydel to reach safely. After Dayton Buller drew a walk, Rogers grounded out, moving both runners up 90 feet. The Stars were the beneficiaries of two-out lightning as Lawrie delivered a two-RBI single to center.

The 3-0 lead was more than enough for the Stars’ pitching staff. Rogers (4-6) was dominant, surrendering only a lone infield single in his five innings of work. He walked three and struck-out seven along the way to picking up the win.

The Stars got some insurance in the seventh against Chattanooga’s bullpen. New pitcher James Adkins replaced Alvarez, who only gave up one earned run in his six innings of work. Adkins retired the first batter he faced, but gave up a single to Gindl and proceeded to walk Drew Anderson. Zelous Wheeler followed with a single up the gut to score Gindl and make the score 4-0. A walk loaded the bases and Steffan Wilson hit the ball deep enough into the outfield to score Anderson and give the Stars a 5-0 lead.

Huntsville wasn’t done though. In the eighth, pinch hitter Juan Sanchez reached on an error. Lawrie doubled him home for his third RBI of the day. Then with two outs, Anderson connected for a mammoth two-run homer, extending the lead to 8-0.

Eddie Morlan worked two scoreless innings of relief. Nick Green did have his issues, as he gave up a couple of runs in the eighth, but he worked a scoreless ninth to finish the game off.

The Stars look to take the season series Saturday evening as it will be the last time the two teams meet this year. Huntsville is 10-9 against Chattanooga so far and they’ll send Lucas Luetge (1-0, 2.30 ERA) to the mound in their effort to finish off the series right before the All-Star break. You can catch all the action on the Stars Radio Network, beginning at 6:00 p.m. central time with the Window World Pre-Game Report.