Crew Comes Through to Ignite Stars
July 17, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release
Ryan Crew's pinch-hit single knocked in the go-ahead run and keyed a decisive six-run rally in Huntsville's 8-2 victory over Tennessee Tuesday night in the opener of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 15-11 in the second half after their season-high eighth consecutive win, while the Smokies dropped to 13-13 and two games behind the North Division front-runners. The Stars have taken four of the last five meetings between the teams after dropping four out of six at Smokies Park to open the second half.
Grant Johnson took over for starter Justin Berg to open the home seventh and hit Brendan Katin, the first batter he faced, and walked Alcides Escobar with one out before Crew delivered his third pinch-hit run batted in of the season to give the Stars a 3-2 lead. Michael Brantley doubled home two runs to make it 5-2 before Johnson hit his former Notre Dame teammate Steve Sollmann to reload the bases. He was then taken out of the game and replaced by Adalberto Mendez, who uncorked two wild pitches that plated two runs to push the home team's advantage to 7-2. Adam Heether, the Southern League Hitter of the Week, delivered a double that scored Sollmann to complete the rally.
Bo Hall picked up the win in relief, his fourth, with a scoreless seventh inning and Jeff Housman worked two shutout frames to extend the bullpen's run of consecutive scoreless frames to 16 since the ninth inning on Wednesday night in Chattanooga. Stars' starter Will Inman went six innings, giving up two runs on four hits, while striking out seven in his third start against the visitors.
Berg allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits, while fanning five in his six innings of work. Sollmann finished with three hits after entering the game without one in his last 16 at-bats, while Brantley scored three times and stole two bases.
The series continues Wednesday night with Stars' left-hander Derek Miller taking the hill against Smokies' southpaw Paul Schappert. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.
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Southern League Stories from July 17, 2007
- Braves Hold off Suns Rally - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- BayBears Drop Third Straight - Mobile BayBears
- Stars Shine with Six In Seventh - Tennessee Smokies
- Jones, Braves Hand Norrito First Loss - Mississippi Braves
- Crew Comes Through to Ignite Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits Snap Mudcats Win Streak - Carolina Mudcats
- Lookouts to Celebrate the Return of Wellman with Rosin - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Sturtze to Rehab in Mississippi - Mississippi Braves
- Stars Say Goodbye To Salas - Huntsville Stars
- Massive Roster Moves For Smokies - Tennessee Smokies
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