Barons Held To One Hit In 8-3 Loss To Stars

Despite drawing a season-high 12 walks on Sunday, the Barons were held to just one hit as they dropped their second-straight game to the Huntsville Stars by a score of 8-3 in front 5,026 fans at Regions Field.

The Stars jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first against Barons starter Spencer Arroyo (1-1, 3.72). Jason Rogers drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI triple and later scored along with Brock Kjeldgaard on a two-run single by Robinzon Diaz.

Arroyo was forced to leave the game after experiencing some discomfort in the fifth inning. He was replaced by Taylor Thompson who was greeted rudely by Kjeldgaard and Diaz as both brought home runs on RBI hits giving the Stars a 6-0 lead.

The Baron were held hitless by Ariel Pena (1-2, 5.51) over the first four innings of the game, finally recording their first hit in the fifth inning on a Michael Blanke single. It would prove to be the only hit on the afternoon as the Barons struggled to figure out the Stars pitching staff.

The Barons were able to take advantage of their lone scoring opportunity in the 6th inning despite not recording a single hit. Six walks surrendered by Ariel Pena and Mark Williams forced in three Barons runs but the big hit to break the game open never came as the Barons fell by a score of 8-3.

Pena picked up the win despite seven walks in just 5.0 IP. With the loss, the Barons fall to 9-8 on the year while Huntsville improves to 8-9.

The Barons and Stars return to action late Monday morning as RHP Erik Johnson (1-0, 1.47) takes the hill against RHP Taylor Jungmann (1-2, 7.62). First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 AM CDT as part of the Barons' 'Business Person Special' promotion.