Link Report Wed. 7/4 -- Late Additions: Power, Stars

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu: Have fun! Be safe!

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at Oklahoma (Rangers), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: RHP Mark DiFelice at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: TBD at Jupiter (Marlins), 4:55 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

web.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

 

NOTE: The Manatees have reduced their broadcast schedule -- today's link is for the Jupiter audio.

 

West Virginia: LHP Mike Ramlow at home vs. Asheville (Rockies), 2:55 PM pre-game, 3:05 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

 

Helena: RHP Roque Mercedes at Billings (Reds), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

 

Arizona: TBD at the Scottsdale complex to face the not-so-Giants, 10:30 AM local time in Arizona, 12:30 Central; never any audio for Arizona Rookie League games

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often.

 

Nashville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_orhaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_jupafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_bilrok_1

 

Arizona:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_giarok_1

[Mass Haas]

These links will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally they are updated an hour or two prior to gametime, with Nashville's usually earlier:

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

 

Huntsville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Tuesday's action:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 51 34 .600 - 29-13 22-21 L1 Iowa 46 39 .541 5.0 25-18 21-21 L7 Omaha 40 46 .465 11.5 27-16 13-30 L1 Memphis 36 50 .419 15.5 18-25 18-25 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 10 6 .625 - 6-4 4-2 W1 Tennessee 9 7 .563 1.0 7-3 2-4 L1 Carolina 7 9 .438 3.0 4-2 3-7 L1 Huntsville 6 10 .375 4.0 2-4 4-6 W1 West Tenn 5 11 .313 5.0 5-5 0-6 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 7 5 .583 - 3-2 4-3 W3 Palm Beach 7 5 .583 - 4-4 3-1 L2 Jupiter 5 6 .455 1.5 3-1 2-5 L1 St. Lucie 5 6 .455 1.5 3-4 2-2 W2 Daytona 5 8 .385 2.5 4-4 1-4 W3 Vero Beach 3 10 .231 4.5 1-3 2-7 L10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake County 9 3 .750 - 5-1 4-2 W2 Lakewood 8 4 .667 1.0 5-1 3-3 W1 Hickory 7 6 .538 2.5 4-3 3-3 W1 West Virginia 7 6 .538 2.5 3-2 4-4 W1 Delmarva 4 8 .333 5.0 2-4 2-4 L2 Hagerstown 3 9 .250 6.0 3-3 0-6 L1 Greensboro 3 10 .231 6.5 2-3 1-7 W1 Lexington 3 10 .231 6.5 2-3 1-7 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 8 7 .533 - 4-3 4-4 W1 Helena 8 7 .533 - 3-5 5-2 L1 Billings 7 8 .467 1.0 4-2 3-6 L2 Missoula 7 8 .467 1.0 4-5 3-3 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Mariners 9 1 .900 - 4-0 5-1 W8 AZL Angels 8 2 .800 1.0 6-0 2-2 W3 AZL Cubs 5 5 .500 4.0 3-2 2-3 W1 AZL Rangers 5 5 .500 4.0 2-3 3-2 L2 AZL Padres 4 5 .444 4.5 2-2 2-3 L1 AZL Giants 4 6 .400 5.0 2-3 2-3 L1 AZL Brewers 3 6 .333 5.5 1-4 2-2 L3 AZL Athletics 3 7 .300 6.0 2-2 1-5 L1 AZL Royals 3 7 .300 6.0 3-3 0-4 W1

[Mass Haas]

Nashville's games in Oklahoma this week are available for viewing via the MiLB.com video subscription, on a per-day basis if you wish:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c.../video.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Journal-Sentinel:

 

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, on hand in Pittsburgh for the first two games of the Pirates series, will drive this morning to Charleston, W.Va., to watch the Class A West Virginia Power play a couple of games. The Brewers' affiliate there won its first-half title, as did Class A Brevard County and Class AA Huntsville.

[Mass Haas]

Two players are rehabbing today with the Arizona Brewers -- LHP Mitch Stetter and catcher C.J. Medlin.

 

Also, there's a nice photo of West Virginia's Andrew Lefave among the rotating banners at MiLB.com early today:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p?cid=milb

[Minigoon]

Today's TBD for Brevard County is Chris Cody, once the rain stops.

[bretsky07]

Gamel singles in the first to extend the streak!

[Boy Jeenius]

Sir, I demand to know who are you, and what have you done with Roque Mercedes?!?!?! 7 IP 0 R 1 BB. I repeat - 1 BB. Whoa.

[TheCrew07]

I saw that line as well, that's a couple pretty solid outings in a row for him.

[Boy Jeenius]

Cody with a decent start for his first time in Brevard. In line for the "W." Darren Ford with a jack. Also: Good job Mat Gamel !

[Mass Haas]

Final: Asheville (Rockies) 10, West Virginia 4

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

RODRIGUEZ QUIETS POWER

 

Aneury Rodriguez tossed eight incredible innings against the West Virginia Power at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday night. He retired 11 in a row at one point and held the Power offense in check as the Tourists defeated the Power 10-4.

 

Asheville plated the first run of the game in the top of the first inning on a solo home run from Daniel Mayora. In the fourth inning Victor Ferrante?s sacrifice fly plated Mike McKenry to make it a 2-0 lead. Asheville pulled away with a four-run fifth inning. Mike Paulk knocked in the first run of the inning on a single and McKenry followed with a three-run blast, his eleventh of the year.

 

Mayora plated Asheville?s next run on a base hit in the top of the sixth inning. Charlie Fermaint got West Virginia on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo home run, his third of the season. Asheville plated three more runs in the top of the ninth. Jax Cox doubled in McKenry, Matt Repec scored on a wild pitch and Ferrante?s groundout brought Cox in. The Power plated three runs in the bottom of the inning. Taylor Green ripped an RBI single, Chuckie Caufield scored on a balk and John Alonso ripped a pinch-hit RBI single.

 

Aneury Rodriguez (4-6) allowed just a run on four hits over eight innings and struck out eight to get the win, while Mike Ramlow (4-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and struck out six through four innings.

 

The Power fell to 55-27 overall and 7-7 in the second half, while the Tourists improved to 51-32 overall and 9-5 in the second half with the win. Charlie Fermaint had two hits and was the only Power player with a multi-hit game.

 

The Power will continue the four game series against the Tourists Thursday night. The Power will start right hander Chris Toneguzzi (1-1, 5.14) and Asheville will start right hander Simon Ferrer (5-5, 4.67). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

Taylor Green on base three times, still maintaining a .918 OPS; don't believe John Alonso was ever on the D.L., but he sees his first action since June 23rd -- he was going to get the bulk of playing time at first base once Michael brantley was moved up, so Andrew Lefave's been playing first base instead of outfield instead; D.J. Lidyard and Jared Sutton with rough relief stints...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 6, Jupiter (Marlins) 4

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Mat Gamel 2-4, say hello to 31 consecutive games with a base hit; Darren Ford with his second HR as a Manatee, 7th overall; officially welcome to the Link Report, Chris Cody; former Brewer farmhand SS Agustin Septimo sparkled for the Marlins at low-A Greensboro last season, but he's struggling at high-A in 2007...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503

 

Brevard County Game Log:

Patrick Ryan's relief work in the 7th bailing out Josh Wahpepah was huge; more ground ball inducement for closer E.J. Shanks...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_jupafa_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Giants 7, Arizona Brewers 1

 

Arizona Box Score:

Second day in a row the Brewers only muster two base hits -- today they didn't even draw a walk (one HBP); CF Charlie Iacono probably trails only Darren Ford in speed within the organization, but he's 23 and can't afford a second season languishing in the low .200's in Maryvale, even if he is drawing some walks in prior games; 17-year-old LHP Efrain Nieves continues to show promise as a relatively high (7th round, 2007) draft pick out of the Puerto Rico Academy...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_giarok_1

 

Arizona Game Log:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_giarok_1

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Infielder Chris Barnwell (Part 1 Of 2):

Chris shares his family's story about their struggles dealing with Alzheimer's disease...

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%207-4.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Final: Oklahoma (Rangers) 7, Nashville 3

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Zach Jackson photo, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2430

 

RedHawks Defeat Sounds In Series Opener, 7-3

 

OKLAHOMA CITY ? Former Sounds All-Star Nelson Cruz did in his former team on Wednesday evening at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, driving in four runs to lead the Oklahoma RedHawks to a 7-3 victory over Nashville in the opener of a five-game series.

 

The loss was the second in a row for the Sounds (51-35) following a six-game winning streak. Nashville?s lead in the PCL American Conference Northern Division remains at five games, however, as second-place Iowa also suffered a defeat on the evening.

 

Oklahoma leftfielder Jason Botts gave the home team a 2-0 advantage in the fourth inning with a two-run homer to right off Nashville starter Zach Jackson, his 12th longball of the season.

 

The Sounds climbed on the board in the sixth when Tony Gwynn dropped a bunt single to open the frame and later scored on a Laynce Nix sacrifice fly, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

 

The RedHawks responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame when Cruz, who starred for the Sounds in 2005 & 2006, ripped a bases-loaded, three-run triple off Jackson to increase the Oklahoma lead to 5-1.

 

Nashville plated a pair of unearned runs in the seventh following two Oklahoma errors to pull within 5-3 before the RedHawks concluded the evening?s scoring in the eighth with two more runs, highlighted by a Cruz RBI single.

 

RedHawks starter John Rheinecker (3-2) earned the victory after allowing three unearned runs on seven hits while striking out four batters over 6 2/3 innings.

 

Jackson (9-4) suffered his first loss since mid-May for the Sounds. The left-hander surrendered a season-high seven runs on eight hits over seven-plus frames of work.

 

Brad Nelson went 2-for-4 on the evening to extend his hitting streak to eight games, matching the first baseman?s longest effort of the year.

 

Sounds third baseman Joe Dillon went 0-for-4 to snap his hitting streak at 12 games, which matched the club?s longest this season. Callix Crabbe (0-for-3) had a season-best six-game hit streak come to an end in the contest.

 

The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. CT meeting on Thursday evening. Left-hander Manny Parra (2-1, 1.29) is scheduled to take the hill for Nashville to face RedHawks southpaw Mark Redman (2-3, 5.70).

 

Nashville Box Score:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_orhaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

Tough spot for Steve Bray in the 8th -- no outs, 1st and 2nd, but both runners he inherited scored...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_orhaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Helena KCAP Audio Pre-Game Interview with catcher Eric Fryer, the Brewers' 10th round pick out of The Ohio State University:

Be sure you're on the July 4nd archive, then go to the 12:00 minute mark --

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

[TheCrew07]

Gillespie continues to struggle... .167 over his last 10.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 2, Billings (Reds) 0

 

MiLB.com:

 

Mercedes burns Mustangs

 

Roque Mercedes pitched seven strong innings as visiting Helena blanked Billings, 2-0, on Wednesday.

 

Mercedes (2-1) won his second straight outing after yielding three singles and one walk while striking out five to lower his ERA to 2.35. He allowed one hit over the first four frames, then retired the last five batters he faced.

 

The 20-year-old right-hander tossed six scoreless frames in his last start on Friday. He went 0-4 with a 7.26 ERA with Class A West Virginia.

 

Rob Bryson gave up one hit over the final two innings for his second save.

 

Kurt Crowell singled and scored twice for the Brewers (10-7), but Jonathan Lucroy went 0-for-4 to end his 12-game hitting streak.

 

Mustangs starter Enerio Del Rosario (1-2) surrendered two runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

 

Angel Cabrera went 2-for-3 for Billings (7-10). -- Denis Gorman/MLB.com

 

Helena Box Score:

Caleb Gindl walks, but finally goes hitless in his return to the lineup; LF Kurt Crowell with a 1.000 OPS after his first nine pro games; Eric Farris 0-for-2, but credit him with a sacrifice fly and a sacrifice bunt; RHP Rob Bryson has just been stellar in his four outings -- a 15-to-1 K/BB ratio in 9.2 IP...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_bilrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_bilrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 6, Tennessee (Cardinals) 3

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link while active, text follows --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1256

 

DiFelice Does It All in Stars Win

 

Mark DiFelice put together another sensational outing on the hill and chipped in with a two-run double to carry Huntsville past Tennessee 6-3 Wednesday night in front of the biggest crowd of the season, 11,455, in the opener of a four-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 7-10 in the second half and 44-41 overall, while the Smokies dropped to 9-8 in the second half, 45-40 overall but remained a game behind North Division leading Chattanooga, which fell in extra innings to Mississippi.

 

Bo Hall issued back-to-back walks to Casey McGehee and Issmael Salas in the ninth inning and a fielding error by Hernan Iribarren on a Joe Simokaitis grounder loaded the bases with one out. Hall struck out pinch-hitter Jemel Spearman and was replaced by Marino Salas, who was trying to protect a 6-2 lead. Sam Fuld singled to left to plate McGehee to cut the lead to 6-3 before Gary Cates, representing the potential lead run, flied out to right field to end the threat and the game. Salas recorded his 14th save and first since June 8, as the Stars recorded the final out with the bases loaded in the ninth for a second straight night.

 

Justin Berg kept the Stars hitless through 4 2/3 innings before Steve Moss and Alcides Escobar singled and scored on a two-run double by DiFelice, who picked up his first hit and first runs batted in of the season to give the Stars a 2-0 lead. Adam Heether, Brendan Katin and Moss strung together consecutive run-scoring hits in the sixth to extend the Stars lead to 5-0 and knock Berg out of the game.

 

Issmael Salas singled in two runs with one out in the seventh to trim the Huntsville lead to 5-2 and end DiFelice?s franchise record 36 consecutive innings scoreless streak. He had last allowed a run in the seventh inning on May 23 at Mobile. The veteran right-hander was charged with two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings and earned his sixth win of the season and first in three starts. Hall went 2 1/3 frames in relief, allowing an unearned run without a hit. He walked two and fanned four.

 

The series continues Thursday night with right-hander Will Inman taking the hill against Smokies? right-hander Kevin Hart. 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.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

What Mark DiFelice has done with his amazing performance this year, is guarantee himself that he won't be back in independent ball for several years to come, even though he'll be 31 next month -- he'll have suitors in affiliated ball; lady ump Ria Cortesio, expected to be in AAA next year, behind the plate for this one; Alcides Escobar drew two walks, one intentional -- he's now walked all of ten times in 326 AB's, he's hitting 8th for now, so he'll probably draw a few more intentional passes in front of the pitcher; Adam Heether up to .280...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Link for Andy Bouchie photo while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section...7046?pt=10

 

Tourists have a blast, defeat Power 10-4

By Christopher Wade

For The Charleston Gazette

 

West Virginia Power fans were expecting to see some offensive explosions before the Fourth of July fireworks display at Appalachian Power Park Wednesday evening.

 

After all, the Power was coming off another very impressive 11-3 victory the night before over Asheville and boasts the South Atlantic League?s top batting average by a wide margin over second-place Hickory.

 

What the fans got instead was a dominating pitching performance from Asheville starting pitcher Aneury Rodriguez as the Tourists rolled to a 10-4 victory over the Power.

 

Rodriguez went eight strong innings, only allowing four hits and one run while striking out eight. The Power scored three meaningless runs off the Tourist bullpen in the ninth inning.

 

?Rodriguez did a great job and you just have to tip your cap to him, ?said Power manager Mike Guerrero. ?He hit his spots, pitched down in the zone, and that makes it tough.?

 

Rodriguez entered the game with just a 3-6 record and 5.57 earned run average. In his last outing, he had given up eight runs on 11 hits over 4 1/3 innings.

 

?He pitched really well and had good command of his fastball,? said Tourist manager Joe Mikulik. ?He?s got a power arm and had good off-speed pitches, too. It was one of his better outings. He was on his game.?

 

?For Rodriguez to shut down this team the way he did was very impressive. He pitched a great game,? added designated hitter Mike McHenry, who splits time at catcher for Asheville.

 

McHenry, meanwhile, had quite the game at the plate for Asheville, getting on base four times. He went 1-for-2 but also drew three walks and drove in three runs for the Tourists.

 

With Asheville already leading 3-0 in the fifth inning, McHenry delivered the big blow of the game with a three-run home run that gave the Tourists a commanding lead that Rodriguez would hold up with his solid pitching.

 

?I got a good pitch to hit and luckily it went out of the park. It was one of those days where we all were swinging the bats pretty good. Everyone seemed to have a great day,? McHenry said.

 

Asheville added another run in the sixth inning to lead 7-0 before the Power finally got to Rodriguez and on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth inning on a solo home run by leadoff hitter Charlie Fermaint.

 

The Tourists quickly plated three more runs in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Jay Cox, an RBI groundout from Victor Ferrante and a wild pitch.

 

With Rodriguez out of the game in the ninth inning and Asheville leading 10-1, the Power was able to give the home fans something to cheer about with three runs to close the deficit to six.

 

Taylor Green singled in Andrew Lefave, Chuckie Caufield scored on a balk and pinch-hitter John Alonso singled in Green with the game?s last run. The Power was out-hit 11-6 by the Tourists.

 

Mikulik was very impressed with the way his Tourists rebounded after Tuesday night?s rout at the hands of the Power. West Virginia had beaten Asheville in the previous four meetings.

 

?We played very well and played a great game overall,? Mikulik said. ?We had a tough travel day but that?s no excuse. [The Power is] a great team and we just had to overcome it. They had beaten us three out of four at our place, too. Today, everything just clicked for us.?

 

Mike Ramlow suffered the loss for the Power, dropping his record to 4-3. The left-hander went four innings, giving up three hits and two runs, but the bullpen gave up eight runs and eight hits in five innings.

 

With the loss, the Power is now 7-7 in the second half while Asheville improves to 9-5.

[Mass Haas]

Update on the suspended game from earlier this week:

 

The Manatees will complete Tuesday's suspended game against Palm Beach on Saturday at 5:00 PM (4:00 Central) at Space Coast Stadium.

 

That game, which will resume in the bottom of the second inning with Palm Beach leading 3-0, will be followed by a regularly scheduled game between the two teams. Game 2 will begin 1/2-hour after the completion of the first game and will be seven innings. Palm Beach is the home team in the suspended game.

 

A fireworks show will commence once all game action is completed.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1

 

A Stars-spangled 4th

DiFelice delivers victory as crowd of 11,455 watches

By JOHN FERRY

Huntsville Times Sports Staff, john.ferry@htimes.com

 

Chalk it up as another excellent pitching performance for Huntsville's Mark DiFelice.

 

The right-hander might have seen his consecutive scoreless innings streak end at 36, but he had six more innings of effective pitching on Wednesday night at Joe Davis Stadium. DiFelice also drove in his team's first two runs with a double and the Stars posted a 6-3 victory.

 

An overflow Fourth of July crowd announced as 11,455 - drawn in part for postgame fireworks - watched the teams in the first of a four-game series that continues tonight and ends on Saturday afternoon.

 

DiFelice, solid earlier in the season as a reliever, came into the game with 29 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings dating to May 23. The streak was finally broken in the seventh inning, but even when DiFelice departed in favor of Bo Hall the Stars had solid command of the contest at 5-2.

 

DiFelice said his cut fastball made the difference.

 

"It keeps the hitters off-balance," he said.

 

It was the third start for DiFelice, a position he said he prefers to pitching in relief.

 

"You are put on a schedule," he said. "It's more of a routine. Your arm gets adjusted to it."

 

DiFelice said he got tired toward the end, but at least the weary Stars bullpen didn't have to contribute many innings.

 

"We have three games before the (Southern League All-Star) break," Stars manager Don Money said. "We need our starters to go a pretty good distance. DiFelice did an outstanding job and has been solid all year."

 

At the halfway point, this one was quite a pitchers' battle between DiFelice and Tennessee right-hander Justin Berg. Going into the bottom of the fifth, the game was scoreless, and the Smokies had two hits while Berg had not allowed the Stars any.

 

Huntsville came alive after the first two batters made outs. Steve Moss and Alcides Escobar singled, then DiFelice doubled over a shortened outfield in left-center to plate both.

 

The Stars sent eight batters to the plate in the sixth and scored three more times.

 

Michael Brantley and Lou Palmisano drew walks, and Adam Heether's checked-swing single got Brantley across. Brendan Katin singled Palmisano in, then Moss singled to score Heether.

 

Leading 5-0 going into the seventh, DiFelice gave up a single to Matt Craig, a double to Casey McGehee and a two-run single to Issmael Salas.

 

Heether opened the Huntsville eighth with a single, and he eventually scored the final Stars run on a wild pitch.

 

Tennessee pushed a run across in the ninth but left the bases loaded when Huntsville reliever Marino Salas got Gary Cates to fly out to end it.

 

DiFelice improved to 6-1 on the mound while Berg fell to 4-7. Salas picked up a save.

 

Huntsville outhit Tennessee 9-7, with Heether, Katin and Moss collecting two hits each. For Tennessee, Issmael Salas produced two hits, as did Craig.

 

The Stars extended their streak of scoring six or more runs to six straight games.

 

Huntsville is 7-10 for the Southern League Northern Division second half and Tennessee is 9-8. The Stars were the first-half champion.

 

Will Inman (1-3) is the scheduled starter tonight for the Stars. His opponent will be Kevin Hart (6-5).