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Devil Rays Sweep the West's Best

August 4, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays showed that they can compete with the best that the Midwest League has to offer. Kane County entered this four-game series with the Rays with a two game lead in the Western Division but that has went away as the Devil Rays won all four games.

The Devil Rays won both games of a double-header at C.O. Brown on Friday night. Not only did they win, but they didn't allow the Cougars to score a run. The Rays took the first match-up 1-0 and the second 4-0.

GAME ONE

Matt Walker, whose breaking ball has recently been named the best in the Midwest League by Baseball America, took the start in the first game. He lasted into the seventh but was pulled after walking three batters. Up until that point Walker was electric. He allowed only three hits and had one strikeout. Matt lowered his season ERA to 2.89.

Walker's adversary, Jared Lansford, had a stellar performance as well. Lansford lasted all six innings for the Cougars and gave up three hits with one unearned run and three strikeouts.

Greg Dupas entered the game with one out in the top of the seventh. His first batter popped out to Cesar Suarez in foul territory and he fanned the second batter he faced to record his 24th save of the year.

GAME TWO

The Devil Rays started off the second game of the double-header in style as Jake McGee retired the side in order. Jackson Brennan followed that up by hitting a leadoff home run into the outfield box seats. This was just the foreshadowing of the dominance that would follow.

Jake McGee quite simply made the Cougars hitters look foolish. Baseball America just rated him as having the "Best Fastball" in the Midwest League and he showed it off on Friday night. McGee faced 19 batters and he fanned 10 of them. He allowed only two hits in his five frames of work and he walked two batters.

McGee extended his Midwest League leading strikeout total to 153. During the game he briefly held the Minor League lead in strikeouts but Matt Garza of the Rochester Red Wings (AAA International League) finished the night with one more strikeout than Jake.

The Rays strung together a three run second inning in which they batted through the lineup to put the Cougars away early. Garrett Groce led off the inning with a triple to centerfield. Kane County starter Joe Piekarz walked three batters to bring home Groce and left the bases loaded. Alex Jamieson then singled through the hole at second base which drove in Jason St. Clair and Neil Walton.

The D-Rays brought in Chris Kelly to toss the sixth inning and he continued where McGee left off. Kelly retired the side in order and struck out two.

Eddie DeLaCruz entered to close out the game and struggled to find the plate. Eddie's first batter grounded out and he walked the next. He then allowed a single up the middle which almost took his head off. DeLaCruz followed that up with a wild pitch to advance both runners and he walked the next batter to load the bases.

Kevin Lynn came in with one out and the bases loaded to try and save the double-header shutout. He fanned the first man he faced and forced a line-out on his second batter to end the game.

The sweep of the Cougars was the second four-game sweep of the season for the Rays. They gained a half game on the Fort Wayne Wizards, who are presently sitting in the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division. The Devil Rays are on the outside looking in, as they are three games behind the Wizards.

The Devil Rays will play the first of a four-game series against the South Bend Silver Hawks on Saturday at 7:05. The Hawks are led by the 2005 number one overall draft pick, Justin Upton. The world famous mascot, Rally, will make his second trip to Battle Creek this season. Rally will perform between innings and he will interact with the kids throughout the game in the stands and concourse. After the game a group of the "Gatorade Girls" will be performing with their band Pyrrhus in the TDS Metrocom Left Field Bar.



Midwest League Stories from August 4, 2006


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