Rays Down Smokies to Split Series
August 3, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
Kodak, Tenn.-- Twice in this series Orlando has gone into the late innings tied or leading Tennessee and twice the Smokies came from behind to edge past the Rays. On Sunday Danny Massiatte and the Orlando offense made sure that wouldn't happen, exploding for 15 hits and scoring five times over the final three innings to down the Smokies 9-2 at Smokies Park.
Massiatte, who entered the game hitting just .194, connected on a three-run run homer in the eighth to close out the scoring. He finished the night 4-4 with two doubles, a homer, three runs and three RBI.
B.J. Upton and Jonny Gomes opened Orlando's scoring with a four-run third, with Upton connecting on a two-run single and Gomes launching a two-run homer to give Orlando a 4-0 lead. Upton finished the night 2-5 with two runs scored and three RBI, while Juan Salas chipped in a 2-5 effort with a triple and RBI.
John Bendetti (W, 5-5) earned the win after tossing two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. He entered the game in relief of Gerardo Garcia, who tossed four scoreless innings in his first start of the year for the Rays after being optioned from Class AAA Durham on Friday.
With the win Orlando earned a split of the four-game series with the division-leading Smokies, upping their season record to 50-60 overall and 18-23 on the second half. The Rays head to Greenville, SC tonight to kick off a four game series with the Greenville Braves starting Monday at 7:15, with Orlando sending RHP Jim Magrane (8-5, 3.62) to the mound against G-Braves righty Brett Evert (2-6, 4.04).
O-Rays Notes: Sunday's game was the only one of the four-game set that wasn't decided by one run. Orlando took game one 1-0, and Tennessee took games two and three 2-1.
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Southern League Stories from August 3, 2003
- Rays sting the Smokies - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns win in ninth, 4-3 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Rays Down Smokies to Split Series - Orlando Rays
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