CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Rays Nip Mudcats, 4-3

Published on May 6, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Orlando, FL --- In a game littered with scoring chances, the Orlando Rays upset the Carolina Mudcats 4-3 in a battle of last versus first in the Eastern Division on Tuesday night at Cracker Jack Stadium.

The Rays (11-20) had four bases-loaded opportunities, stranding 13 runners, while Carolina (21-10) went 2-15 with runners in scoring position in the first meeting of the season.

Carolina's only lead came following a single by Chip Ambres (1-3, RBI, W) in the sixth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie. However Steve Kent (L, 2-2, 1IP, 2H, 2ER, 2W, 1K), who pitched in the majors all of 2002 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, could not quiet the Rays' Double-A squad. After pitching a scoreless fifth, Kent allowed two hits, then walked a pair of hitters to force in the tying run. Franklyn Gracesqui (ND, 2IP, 1H, 0R, 1K) relieved and only permitted a sacrifice fly by Dan Grummitt to hand the Rays a 4-3 lead.

Todd Moser (ND, 4IP, 7H, 2ER, 2W, 2K) made his second Double-A start for Carolina, making 93 pitches in just four innings, allowing seven hits, two walks and two hit batters, yet departed tied 2-2.

Jose Veras lasted 5 1/3 for the Rays, who just recently snapped a 12-game losing streak.

The Rays, who entered the game with the worst record in the Southern League, went ahead 1-0 in the first before a sacrifice fly by Chris Ashby tied the game in the second. Orlando moved ahead 2-1 against Moser in the bottom half before a Ryan Jorgensen (HR, 4, 1-4, R) homer tied the game leading off the fifth.

Former Atlanta Braves and embattled star John Rocker made his third appearance in five games with the Rays, working a scoreless eighth. Rocker allowed a scratch double to Ashby (1-3, 2B, RBI, SF) before retiring the final two hitters.

The Mudcats had 10 hits, while the Rays drilled 11. The Mudcats are now 2-3 on their 12-game, 15-day road trip.

Randy Messenger (1-2, 7.82) starts the second game of the series Wednesday night against lefty Jon Switzer (2-2, 5.46) at 7:05 PM ET.

Notes: Prior to the game, the Florida Marlins officially announced that LHP Dontrelle Willis will be called up to the major leagues to make his debut against the Colorado Rockies in Miami, FL on Friday night. Willis was 4-0 with a 1.49 ERA covering six starts for Carolina. Rockies pitcher Darren Oliver is scheduled to start against Willis at Pro Player Stadium.. 3B Miguel Cabrera went 1-4 on Tuesday night, extending the league's longest active hitting streak to 13 games in a row... Moser, who has lasted 10 combined innings in his first two Double A starts for Carolina, has stranded 17 baserunners.

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Carolina League Stories from May 6, 2003


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