Dodgers Split Pair with Daytona

Published on August 19, 2004 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Vero Beach Devil Rays News Release


Deland, FL– The Vero Beach Dodgers saw their winning streak come to a close Thursday night, but not until they extended it to four, as they split a double-header with the Daytona Cubs. Vero Beach claimed the opener 5-3, scoring five unanswered to earn the win, before dropping the nightcap 6-3. Daytona came out like a house of fire in the first game, pounding starting pitcher LHP Matt Merricks, who could have given up many more runs if not for some snazzy Dodger defense. An inning-ending double play as well as a runner thrown out at home plate to end another inning allowed Merricks to give up just three runs despite 11 hits in 3.1 innings of work.

The Dodgers trailed 3-0 into the fourth inning when C Russell Martin and 3B Andy LaRoche each singled to start the inning. LF Brian Sprout quickly tied the game two batters later when he lofted his 11th home run over the left field fence off of RHP Rocky Cherry. The three runs were all Cherry would allow in his five innings of work.

Game one remained tied into the seventh and final inning when a walk to RF Bryan Goelz and a single by SS Chin Lung Hu put a pair of runners on base for 2B Delwyn Young, who had struck out swinging in each of his three previous at-bats. Young more than atoned for the rough first three at-bats, breaking the tie against Daytona relief ace RHP Chris Mowday, by driving in a pair of runs with a double off the right field fence. Vero Beach would tack on another run later in the inning on an error by SS Buck Coats.

RHP Alfredo Gonzalez (1-0) pitched the final 3.2 innings in relief for the Dodgers to earn the victory, allowing only a solo homer to 1B Brandon Sing in the seventh inning. Mowday (3-1) was saddled with his first loss of the season.

Vero Beach game-two starter RHP Mike Rodriguez (5-3)lasted only two innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and a pair of walks as the Cubs took the 5-0 lead after two frames. The Dodgers were handcuffed by LHP Rich Hill, who held them scoreless into the fifth inning before a walk, a hit batsman and an infield single by Requena chased him from the game and got the Dodgers on the board. Hu's RBI-groundout and a wild pitch accounted for two more runs to trim the margin to 6-3.

RHP Alvis Ojeda relieved Rodriguez in the third inning, and kept them close, allowing just one run over three innings of work. RHP Andrew Shipman pitched the seventh inning to earn his 15th save for Daytona. The win went to RHP Sean Overholt, who retired only two batters, while Rodriguez took the loss.

The Dodgers return to Vero Beach for a two-game series with the last-place Brevard County Manatees Friday night at 7:00 PM. RHP Clint Hosford (5-1, 4.83) is set to make the start for Vero Beach.

DODGER NOTES: Vero Beach leadoff man CF Jereme Milons was a late scratch before game one as he was involved in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Milons was sent to Arizona in exchange for big league RHP Elmer Dessens.

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Florida State League Stories from August 19, 2004


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