Mudcats Stop O-Rays
May 8, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
ORLANDO -Carolina pitchers held the Rays to just four hits on the night as the Mudcats downed Orlando 5-0 at Cracker Jack Stadium Thursday.
After dropping the first two games of the series the Mudcats needed a strong pitching performance combined with some clutch hitting to snap their two-game slide. Carolina got just that out of its pitchers as Donnie Bridges, Jose Cueto (1-0) and Ryan Baker combined to strike out 13 Rays batters. Orlando's best chance to score came in the sixth, when the Rays put runners on second & third with no outs but failed to take advantage of the situation, going in order to end the threat, stranding both runners.
Orlando starting pitcher Brian Stokes went 5.2 innings, allowing five runs (all earned) on eight hits while striking out three. The right-hander entered the contest with the league's sixth-best ERA at 1.72 but was victimized in the 5th as the Mudcats scored four runs on four hits and a walk, all coming with two outs in the inning.
Dan DeMent, Amado German, Frank Moore and Jace Brewer had one hit apiece for the Rays, who had won two straight coming into the game. Despite the loss the Rays stand at 5-2 on their current home stand.
The Rays and Mudcats will square off in the series finale tomorrow at 7:05, with the Rays sending RHP Doug Waechter (2-2, 2.57) to the mound to take on LHP Ryan Snare (1-0, 4.80).
O-Rays Notes:
· RP John Rocker continued his quest to return to the big leagues, throwing a scoreless eighth inning. The 28-year-old lefty allowed one hit, one walk and hit one batter while striking out one.
· Tomorrow night's promotions include post-game fireworks and an ESPN The Magazine mini-bat giveaway
· The Rays and Mudcats play once more before the Rays head to Jacksonville for a four-game set with the Suns
• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...
Southern League Stories from May 8, 2003
- Rough fifth dooms Suns, 5-0 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smokies Lose Pitcher's Duel - Knoxville Smokies
- Mudcats Stop O-Rays - Orlando Rays
- BayBears to host return of Company B from Gulf War - Mobile BayBears
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