Knott takes Rocker out of the yard for BayBears win
June 15, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
Mobile, Ala. â Mobile BayBears' slugger, Jon Knott has carried the load offensively for his team all season. Sunday night the right fielder took it to another level. Knott broke a 2-2 tie leading off the ninth inning with his league-leading 18th homerun off of Orlando's John Rocker to win the game, 3-2, in front of a nice crowd of 3,138 at Hank Aaron Stadium.
"We haven't won a game like this all season," BayBears manager Craig Colbert said. "Hopefully this will give us a boost as we go into the second half."
The BayBears have one game remaining the first half of this Southern League season.
The BayBears started the scoring in the first inning off of Rays' starter Jim Magrane. Todd Donovan scored the first run of the night as Knott hit a double down the left field line. Jake Gautreau, however, was thrown out at the plate as he tried to score from first. Danny Bravo followed with an RBI single up the middle. Knott ran over catcher Danny Massiatte giving the BayBears a 2-0 lead.
Magrane settled down after that, not allowing a runner past first base before leaving in the bottom of the eighth.
Orlando got on the board in the second as shortstop Jace Brewer hit his third homerun of the season off of BayBears starter Steve Watkins. The solo shot was his second of the series.
Watikins did not allow another run the rest of the night. He was relieved in the top of the sixth inning with runners at second and third with two outs. J.J. Trujillo came out of the bullpen and struckout Massiatte to end the threat.
"This is the fourth season I've had J.J.," Colbert said. "We get a guy who throws strikes and gets a lot of groundball outs. He will be a help. No doubt about it."
Trujillo began the season at Triple-A Portland and joined the BayBears on June 12th. Trujillo pitched for Mobile last season and went 3-0 with 20 saves and a remarkable 0.66 ERA, allowing runs in only two of his 31 appearances. He was then promoted straight to San Diego and saw brief action with the Padres before spending the remainder of 2002 with Portland.
Orlando tied the game in the top of the ninth inning against BayBears closer Rusty Tucker. The first two batters reached with singles and, with runners at first and third, Massiatte tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Tucker (1-2) picked up the win however, thanks to Jon Knott.
The BayBears and Rays will conclude their series Monday night at 7:05. RHP Chris Oxspring (3-2; 3.65) will start on the mound for Mobile against Orlando's RHP Travis Minix (2-0; 3.35).
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Southern League Stories from June 15, 2003
- Knott Ruins O-Rays Rally - Orlando Rays
- Knott takes Rocker out of the yard for BayBears win - Mobile BayBears
- Stars Win Fourth Straight, 5-4 - Huntsville Stars
- Mother Nature and Mudcats Soak Smokies - Knoxville Smokies
- Lookouts Blast Barons, 11-3 - Birmingham Barons
- Farmer leads Suns in 4-1 win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Barons Lose in Ninth, 8-6 - Birmingham Barons
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