O-Rays Win Second Straight 5-3

May 26, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release


ORLANDO -Matt Diaz blasted a solo home run and drove in a pair of runs to pace the Orlando Rays to a 5-3 win over the visiting Greenville Braves at Cracker Jack Stadium Monday.

Dan Grummitt was the only other O-Ray with multiple hits on the night, going 2-4 with a pair of doubles and one run scored. Graig Merritt added an RBI on a 1-4 effort for the Rays, who won for the second straight night and earned a split of the four-game set with the Braves.

Orlando starting pitcher Doug Waechter won the battle of local rising prospects on the mound, as the St. Petersburg native picked up the win and improved to 4-3 on the season after allowing three earned runs on four hits over 6.0 IP. The G-Braves got to Waechter in the 5th, as Kelly Johnson and Lee Evans hit back-to-back home runs off the right-hander. Waechter recovered to get out of the inning with no further damage done. Lakeland native Chris Waters started for the Braves and allowed three earned runs on five hits over 5.1 IP. Fellow Lakeland native Diaz victimized him in the first inning as the Rays outfielder blasted a solo homerun off the scoreboard above the centerfield wall.

RP John Rocker tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in his longest outing of the season, allowing one hit while walking two and striking out one. The lefty almost got himself into trouble in the eighth inning when the Braves loaded the bases on him with two outs, but Rocker got Ryan Langerhans to ground out to second to end the threat. Evan Rust pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his seventh save and second in as many nights.

Next up for the O-Rays is a four-game set with the Jacksonville Suns at Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports ® complex. The Rays will send RHP Matt White (NR) to the mound in his first start of the season, while the Suns will counter with RHP Alfredo Gonzalez.

Rays Notes

Rays Upcoming promotions include:

- A visit by the Zooperstars at Friday's game against the Suns (5/30)
- Beach Towel Giveaway at Friday's game against the Suns (5/30)
- The O-Rays Saturday Night Spectacular Fireworks show (Sat. 5/31)
- Parrothead night at the ballpark, including margaritas and a post-game concert by Sunny Jim White and Jim Morris (Sat. 5/31)



Southern League Stories from May 26, 2003


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