O-Rays Rally for Extra-Inning Win
May 18, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
ORLANDO - Orlando catcher Pete LaForest laced a two-out, two RBI double down the right-field line in the bottom of the 12th inning to rally the Rays to a 5-4 win over the visiting Mobile BayBears at Cracker Jack Stadium Sunday.
Orlando entered the bottom half of the 12th trailing 4-3 after Jake Gatreau blasted a solo home run in the top half of the inning. But in the bottom half of the frame LaForest turned on a two-strike pitch from Rusty Tucker (0-2), driving it down the right-field line past a diving John Knott at first base. The drive scored Jace Brewer from third to tie the game and Matt Diaz came all the way around from first for the Orlando win.
The Rays squandered a 3-0 lead when the BayBears pushed three runs across in the 5th inning, as Gatreau cleared the bases with a three-RBI double that immediately followed an Orlando error that would have ended the inning. With the win Orlando snapped a two-game losing skid and avoided losing their first series since their 12-game road losing streak in April.
Amado German went 3-6 for Orlando, while Diaz, Jonny Gomes, LaForest and Juan Salas each had two hits. John Benedetti (2-2) got the win after going 2.0 IP, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out two.
The Rays head to Carolina to take on the Mudcats in a four-game series starting tomorrow at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 P.M., with the Rays sending RHP Brian Stokes (3-3, 5.66) to the hill against Carolina RHP Donnie Bridges (2-1, 3.96). The Rays return to Orlando Friday to kick off a 12-game home stand starting Saturday against the Greenville Braves.
Southern League Stories from May 18, 2003
- Lookouts Win Series - Knoxville Smokies
- O-Rays Rally for Extra-Inning Win - Orlando Rays
- BayBears fall in 12 to Orlando - Mobile BayBears
- Belisle, Braves bats sink Suns - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Aldridge, Belisle lead G-Baves romp - Mississippi Braves
- Stars Fall to Jaxx in 11, 5-4 - Huntsville Stars
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