Kelly Powers Rays to Win
July 20, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
Greenville, S.C.â Heath Kelly's two-run homer in the sixth inning capped a big night for the new Orlando shortstop, lifting the Rays to a 5-4 win over the Greenville Braves at Greenville Municipal Stadium Sunday.
The two-run homer was Kelly's first since joining Orlando on 7/11 and capped a 3-3 night that included a single, double, run scored and four RBI. The 27-year-old was signed as a free agent out from the Southeastern League Pensacola Pelicans to replace injured shortstop Jace Brewer. Brewer went on the DL on July 3 with a fractured rib suffered in an outfield collision with B.J. Barns.
Scott Autrey (W, 1-2) survived a rough first inning that saw Greenville open a 2-0 lead on James Jurries' RBI sacrifice fly and Jason Fitzgerald's RBI single. The right-hander out of Dallas settled down after the first and held the G-Braves to one run on two hits and one walk over the next six innings. The 22-year-old allowed three runs â two earned â on four hits and four walks over seven innings of work. He also struck out five in picking up his first Class AA win. Josh Parker (SV, 4) picked up the save for the second straight game despite allowing one run on two hits in 1.2 IP.
Both Orlando pitchers were beneficiaries of some solid defensive play by third baseman Juan Salas, who made a pair of spectacular defensive plays to rob Greenville hitters of bases hits and potential RBI. In the eighth Salas made a diving stop to his left and threw to second from his knees for the force out, saving a run. In the ninth Salas made a diving backhand stop and made the long throw from foul territory to get Braves' catcher J.C. Boscan.
Jesus Feliciano went 2-4 for the Rays while Barns contributed a 1-2, three-run effort in the win. Orlando improved to 10-19 on the second half and 42-56 overall, while Greenville slipped to 9-19, 45-51.
The Rays and G-Braves close out the four-game series tomorrow at 7:15, with Orlando RHP Chad Gaudin (1-0, 0.00) making his second AA start and first since Tuesday's perfect game. Greenville counters with right-hander Bubba Nelson (7-8, 3.19). The Rays return to Orlando Tuesday to kick off an eight-game homestand, starting with a four-game set with the Carolina Mudcats.
Southern League Stories from July 20, 2003
- Barons Outduel Smokies, 2-1 - Birmingham Barons
- Smokies Nearly No-Hit, Barons Win in 10 - Knoxville Smokies
- Kelly Powers Rays to Win - Orlando Rays
- Leads slips, but Suns recover in 5-4 win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Hot Leather at the Hot Corner Dooms G-Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Slam Barons, 10-2 - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears bounce back and defeat the Lookouts - Mobile BayBears
- Stars Drop Third Straight, 5-4 - Huntsville Stars
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