Orlando's five-run fourth too much for BayBears
May 15, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
Orlando, Fla.--A five-run fourth inning for the Orlando Rays proved to be too much to overcome for the Mobile BayBears on Thursday as the BayBears lost to the O-Rays 6-4 in the first game of an eight-game road trip.
Orlando's Pete LaForest broke a 1-1 tie with a lead off homer off Mobile starting pitcher Chris Rojas in the fourth. Rojas later walked in one run and allowed back-to-back RBI singles to Amado German and Frank Moore as the O-Rays built a 6-1 lead.
Mobile battled back in the eighth. After Rico Washington walked, Jon Knott delivered a two-run home run to straight away center field, his eighth of the year, to make it 6-3. Knott, who also extended his hitting streak to a team season high nine straight games, moved into a tie for the league lead in homers with the blast.
Three batters later in the same inning, Humberto Quintero drove in Khalil Greene from third with an RBI single to make it 6-4. It was Quintero's fourth hit of the game. But with men at first and second and one out, Luis Lorenzana grounded into an inning ending double play and the BayBears were retired in order in the ninth inning.
Mobile relievers Duncan McAdoo, Chris Oxspring, and Bryan Gaal combined to go four and two-thirds innings without allowing a hit or a walk while striking out 10. Rojas, the starter, lasted just three and one third and gave up eight hits and six runs to take the loss.
The two teams meet again Friday at 6:05 PM. Johnny Hunter (0-1) will pitch for Mobile.
Notes: The BayBears have hit home runs in 11 straight games, but have lost nine of the 11...Outfielder Rich Gomez has been reassigned to Extended Spring Training while Lorenzana has been activated off the disabled list.
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