Rays, Barons Split Doubleheader
June 21, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
ORLANDO -After waiting two days and sitting through a pair of postponements, the Orlando Rays and Birmingham Barons finally kicked off the second half of their Southern League season Friday, with Orlando dropping the Barons 8-7 in game one of the twin bill, but fell 4-1 in extra innings in the nightcap.
Game one featured two blown saves as Orlando closer Evan Rust and Birmingham closer Royce Ring each took turns watching the lead slip away. Leading 6-4 entering the seventh (and final) inning, Orlando closer Evan Rust took to the hill looking for his team-leading 11th save. It didn't happen that way, as the Barons took advantage of a single and a pair of Rust walks to load the bases with one out. Barons' catcher Carlos Maldonado ripped a bases-clearing triple and Birmingham grabbed a 7-6 lead heading into Orlando's final at-bat.
Orlando's offense would get Rust off the hook, as Dan DeMent opened with a single, and Juan Salas and Frank Moore both legged out infield singles to load the bases with no outs. Dan Grummitt looped a single into centerfield to tie the game, and Jesus Feliciano picked up the game-winning RBI when he drew a bases loaded-walk, forcing in Salas with the winning run. Rust (1-3) earned the win despite allowing three runs - all earned - on two hits and two walks in one inning pitched.
Salas lead all O-Rays hitters in game one with a 3-4, three-RBI performance, and also scored the winning run. Grummitt went 2-4 with 2 RBI, while DeMent went 2-4 with 3 runs scored.
The Rays and Barons had to wait through a rain delay of over 1.5 hours, but finally got started at approximately 9:35. The rain delay helped cool the Rays bats, however, with Orlando only able to muster four hits in the extra inning affair. The lack of offensive pop wasted a strong performance by Rays starter Jose Veras (ND), who went 6.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits, while striking out 8 Barons hitters. Birmingham exploded for three runs in the final frame, highlighted by Darrin Ingram's RBI single that put the Barons ahead for good.
Orlando and Birmingham will play another doubleheader tomorrow in an effort to close out the rain-delayed series. Game one will start at 5:05 p.m. and will feature Orlando LHP Jon Switzer (4-6, 4.10) and Birmingham LHP Byeong An (NR), while game 2 pits Orlando RHP Jim Magrane (6-3, 3.96) against Birmingham RHP Tetsu Yofu (4-4, 3.62).
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Southern League Stories from June 21, 2003
- Smokies' Molina beats Suns in 11th - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Win in Extra Innings - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons Sweep Rays in DH - Orlando Rays
- Nelson, G-Braves Shutdown Stars - Mississippi Braves
- Stars Take Two from G-Braves - Huntsville Stars
- Rays, Barons Split Doubleheader - Orlando Rays
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