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Devil Rays Beat Wizards In 13 Innings

July 2, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


It took every bit of energy and they had but the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays defeated the Fort Wayne Wizards by a score of 8-7. The four-hour marathon lasted 13 innings and the Rays finally ended their eight-game losing streak with a Garrett Groce single scoring Cesar Suarez from second base.

It was a total team effort as the D-Rays used four pitchers and all but one of their position players. The game was the longest of the season for the Rays in both innings and time. They registered 17 hits, which is two more than the previous season-high posted Thursday night against the Wizards.

Greg Reinhard started the game for the Rays and it looked like Fort Wayne's high powered offense was going to expose Southwest Michigan's defense again. Reinhard struck out eight batters. He tossed five innings and gave up eight hits and five earned runs.

At the end of the sixth inning, the Baby Rays trailed 7-3 but great pitching and solid hitting enabled them to chip away at the lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Jackson Brennan and Cesar Suarez hit back to back doubles to left field to gain a run.

Leading off the bottom of the eighth, Christian Lopez reached base by being hit by a pitch. Colt Simmons then doubled down the right field line to score Lopez. Two batters later, Brennan singled up the middle to chase in Simmons to make the score 7-6.

In the ninth inning with one out, Garrett Groce singled up the middle to get on base. Rhyne Hughes then doubled to left field and advanced Groce to third. Lopez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Simmons then chopped one in the infield to shortstop Matt Bush who bobbled the ball and allowed Simmons to reach first base. All runners advanced and Groce crossed home plate to tie the game at seven a piece. It should be noted that Wizards shortstop Matt Bush, who was charged with an error on the play, displayed phenomenal defense up to that point.

The Rays finally ended the game in the bottom of the 13th inning, which started with a bloop hit by Suarez. J.T. Hall then had a single of his own to left field which pushed Suarez to second base. Then with one ball and two strikes, Groce slapped a shot to left to score Suarez and win the game for the Rays.

The Rays bullpen came through in a major way tonight. Fort Wayne scored in five of the first six innings but Jeff Kamrath, Greg Dupas, and Aaron Walker denied them any further damage by pitching seven shutout innings to finish the game.

Dupas pitched three innings fanning five and giving up only three hits. Then it was time for Aaron Walker to dominate. Walker finished the game with three perfect frames. He struck out the side in order in the 13th inning to give him four K's on the night.

The Rays season-high of 17 hits was highlighted by a four-hit performance from Cesar Suarez. Suarez went 4-6 with a double, an RBI, a walk, and a run scored. Eric Durante blasted a homer over the right field fence in the fifth inning. Colt Simmons had a double and a single with three RBI. Garrett Groce and Jackson Brennan had three hits a piece.

The Devil Rays and Wizards square off again Sunday in the final installment of the four-game set. It's McCullough Family Chiropractic Family Sunday! UECU Kids Club members get in for free and kids get to run the bases after the game.

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