Huntsville Beats Pensacola

June 21, 2014

The Huntsville Stars showed why they compiled the best record in the first half of the Southern League on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

Led by first baseman Nick Ramirez, who clobbered two home runs including a grand slam in the eighth inning and drove in a career-high six RBI, the Stars evened the five-game series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at one game apiece with an 11-1 victory.

Ramirez is among the league leaders with 51 RBI and 13 homers on the season. His grand slam came during a six-run eighth inning that broke the game wide open for the Stars, who took an 11-1 lead.

“It was nice to get back playing like we usually play,” Ramirez said.

While Huntsville racked up the runs, Pensacola had 15 batters reach base and left 11 men on, including leaving the bases loaded in the second inning.

“We definitely didn’t get a big hit tonight,” said Blue Wahoos manager Delino DeShields. “But we have a lot of new guys playing at a different level and they’re going to go through their growing pains.”

Pensacola centerfielder Yorman Rodriguez kept the Blue Wahoos from being blanked with a leadoff solo home run in the seventh inning that cut Huntsville’s lead to 5-1. Rodriguez, who has moved to the leadoff spot for Pensacola, last had a home run on April 21 against Jacksonville. He now has a three game hitting streak.

“Tonight was his best night in quite some time,” DeShields said. “I just hope he continues. We need his production.”

Starting pitcher Jon Moscot has struggled in his last two outings, losing them both and giving up a season-high four earned runs both times. Moscot, who dropped to a 4-6 record, gave up three runs in first inning on a walk, single, double and triple. In the first two innings alone, he threw 50 pitches.

Meanwhile, Huntsville’s Jed Bradley, who was drafted 15th overall in the first round by the Brewers, got the win. Bradley, who is the eighth pitcher to start for Huntsville, was making just his fourth start at the Double-A level.

by Tommy Thrall

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports