Feliciano Shines as Rays Outlast G-Braves
August 28, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
ORLANDO -Jesus Feliciano led Orlando with three doubles and made two incredible defensive plays to lead the Rays to a 6-4 win over the Greenville Braves at Cracker Jack Stadium Thursday.
Feliciano finished the night 3-4, scoring twice and driving in one. The speedy right fielder also turned in a pair of defensive gems, twice making a tough catch then throwing back to first to double off runners who strayed away from the bag. His highlight-reel play in the third featured a full-extension diving grab on a sinking line drive into right-center, then alertly jumping to his feet and throwing a strike to first to double off the runner.
The Rays had to hold off a late Greenville rally, as the Braves reached reliever Bartolome Fortunato for three runs on three hits in the eighth. Fortunato had entered the game in the seventh inning and bailed reliever Derek Andersen (W, 2-1) out with a pair of strikeouts after the Braves put runners on second and third with one out.
O-Rays closer Josh Parker (SV, 10) returned the favor for Fortunato, taking over in the eighth with runners on first and second, two outs and three runs already in. Parker got Jason Fitzgerald to bounce into a fielder's choice at second, then got Richard Lewis to bounce out to first to end the threat.
With the win, Orlando improved to 30-31 on the second half and 62-68 overall, while Greenville fell to 29-37, 65-69. The win closes Orlando's gap to just 3.0 games back of the division-leading Carolina Mudcats, who are just .002 percentage points ahead of Tennessee after falling to the Smokies 3-2.
The Rays play host to the Carolina Mudcats for the next four days, kicking off the series with a doubleheader starting tomorrow at 5:05. Orlando will send RHP Dewon Brazelton (1-0, 5.07) to the mound in game one and RHP Alex Santos (3-1, 5.30) will start the nightcap. Carolina will counter with right-hander Mike McNutt (NR) in game one and righty Trevor Hutchinson (2-3, 3.90).
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Southern League Stories from August 28, 2003
- BayBears fall in home finale - Mobile BayBears
- 11-run 8th inning dooms Suns - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Feliciano Shines as Rays Outlast G-Braves - Orlando Rays
- Smokies Homer Past 'Cats Into First - Knoxville Smokies
- Stars Drop Fourth Straight, 3-2 - Huntsville Stars
- Trio of Stars Make All-Star Team - Huntsville Stars
- Stars Place Three Players on Year-end All-Star Team - Huntsville Stars
- Cotts and Alvarez Named Year-End All-Stars - Birmingham Barons
- Barons Clinch Second Half Title - Birmingham Barons
- SL All-Star Team Announced - SL1
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