SL1 Mississippi Braves

Hot Leather at the Hot Corner Dooms G-Braves

Published on July 20, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


GREENVILLE, SC -- Shortstop Heath Kelly went 3-3 and had the go-ahead homerun in the sixth inning, but it was third baseman Juan Salas who made two unbelievable defensive plays that may have saved the game as the Orlando Rays defeated the Greenville Braves 5-4 Sunday afternoon at Greenville Municipal Stadium. With the Rays leading by two, Salas robbed Richard Lewis of a hit in the eighth with a pair of runners aboard with a diving stop to his left that he threw to second from his stomach to get the force out. In the ninth, Salas ranged deep to his right and threw J.C. Boscan out at first from his knees for the first out of the inning. Greenville would score a run in the final frame, but it would not be enough.

The G-Braves took an early 2-0 in the first inning off of Rays starter Scott Autrey (1-2). Roman Castro drew a walk and moved to third on a Cory Aldridge double. James Jurries brought the first run in with a sacrifice fly, and Jason Fitzgerald picked up an RBI with a sharp single to right.

Orlando cut the lead in half off of starter Adam Wainwright with a run in the second frame when the third baseman Castro let a Graig Merritt grounder go between his legs that allowed B.J. Barns to score.

The Rays jumped on top in the fourth on Kelly's two-run double down the left field line. But, Greenville made it 3-3 in the bottom half of the inning. Lewis smoked a double off the left field wall and made it home on Boscan's sacrifice fly.

Ray Aguilar (0-4) came in to pitch the sixth and immediately committed Greenville's second error of the day. Barns tapped a swinging bunt back towards the mound that Aguliar fielded cleanly but threw wildly to first. Kelly then ripped a towering homerun well over the left field signage for his first round-tripper of the season and his third and fourth RBIs of the day.

Josh Parker picked up his fourth save of the season by recording the final five outs.

Game Notes

The G-Braves and Rays wrap up their four game series Monday evening at 7:15 at Greenville Municipal Stadium...Probable starters are RHP Chad Gaudin (1-0; 0.00) for Orlando and RHP Bubba Nelson (7-8; 3.19); in Gaudin's first "AA" start on July 15, he pitched the second perfect game in Southern League history...Monday is also Huntington Learning Center Honor Roll Night and Pride In Carolina's Youth Reading Night sponsored by Davis Inc., Carolina Pride Hot Dogs, Gatti-town, The Greenville County Library System, and Home Depot...Sprint PCS will be giving the first 1000 fans a free item, and it is SC Lottery Monday.

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Southern League Stories from July 20, 2003


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