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Frias' dash in 16th gives Rays 1-0 win

August 19, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


BATTLE CREEK, MICH. -- The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays and Burlington Bees were allergic to home plate all night before Fernando Frias beat a throw to the plate to end the longest extra-inning shutout game in team history 1-0 on Friday night at C.O. Brown Stadium.

Craig Markel singled with one out in the 16th inning and was quickly replaced by pinch-runner Frias. Shaun Cumberland's single moved him to second base before Tommy Nichols hit a flare down the right-field line. Frias sprinted to the plate but appeared to have been beaten by the throw. Frias slid and catcher Damaso Espino tagged him on the foot, but the ball popped away from him instantly and home plate umpire Shaun Francis ruled him safe ending the longest 0-0 game in franchise history.

Ryan Bitter picked up his third win of the season with 3 2/3 innings, one hit, one walk and two strikeouts. Bitter replaced Richard De Los Santos who tossed 3 2/3 hitless innings beginning in the ninth. Jarrad Lavergne started for the Rays and allowed just six hits, one walk and four strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings.

The longest game in Devil Rays franchise history came on April 7, 1995 at Fort Wayne in an 18-inning 5-4 loss. The 4:10 game time was tidy compared with the 5:13 that the 18-inning game lasted. The Fort Wayne game was also the first game in franchise history. The Devil Rays dropped their team ERA from 4.22 to 4.18 during the game, despite having 1,067 innings pitched.

The Devil Rays host Burlington on Saturday when Rally comes to C.O. Brown Stadium one last time. Jino Gonzalez will start for Southwest Michigan against Justin Sherman for the Bees. It's WMU night, where any fan wearing Western Michigan University apparel will receive $2 off any adult ticket. The game is presented by WRKR 107.7.



Midwest League Stories from August 19, 2005


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