Rays Split Doubleheader with Braves
June 7, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
Game 1 â Greenville 7, Orlando 6
Greenville, S.C. â Greenville scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to complete a rally from five runs down to beat Orlando 7-6 in game one of Saturday's Southern League doubleheader.
Greenville pulled within one in the sixth after a solo home run by Bill McCarthy off starter Doug Waechter, but Rays closer Evan Rust (0-3) came in with runners on first and second and two outs and ended the threat with a strikeout, stranding the tying run at second. Greenville pushed a pair of runs across in the seventh off of Rust on a McCarthy bloop single that skipped away from a diving Amado German, scoring James Jurries all the way from first. McCarthy ended up on second on the play and scored on an infield single that deflected off second baseman Frank Moore's glove to give the Braves the win.
German did everything he could offensively, going 3-4 with a homer and two doubles. He also drove in four runs and scored twice. Designated hitter Pete LaForest went 1-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored for Rays, who dropped their third straight game and fell to 26-33 on the year.
Game 2 â Orlando 4, Greenville 3
Greenville, S.C. â Orlando jumped to an early lead and held on as the Braves mounted a furious comeback attempt as the Rays snapped their three-game losing skid by downing the Braves in the nightcap 4-3.
John Benedetti earned his first save of the season after closing the door on Greenville's attempted last-inning rally. Benedetti entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs, and got Jason Fitzgerald to ground out to shortstop Jace Brewer, leaving the tying and winning runs stranded on third and second, respectively. The game ended with some controversy, as both Braves manager Brian Snitker and Fitzgerald vehemently argued that Fitzgerald had beaten Brewer's throw, but their arguments fell on deaf ears as the call stood and Orlando escaped with the victory.
Matt Diaz went 2-3 with a run and RBI, while Pete LaForest went 1-2 with a double and a RBI. Starting pitcher Matt White earned a no-decision in his third start of the season after going 4.2 IP, allowing three runs â two earned â on seven hits while striking out three.
Orlando and Greenville complete the four game series tomorrow at 1:05 with RHP Jose Veras (2-5, 3.36) taking to the mound to face RHP Bubba Nelson (4-5, 3.82) for the Braves. The Rays return home to Orlando on Monday to start a four-game series with the Jacksonville Suns. Monday's game will be a standard 7:05 start, but Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are Camp Days at Cracker Jack Stadium, with special 11:05 a.m. starts to accommodate area summer camps that will be in attendance at the ballpark.
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Southern League Stories from June 7, 2003
- Rays Split Doubleheader with Braves - Orlando Rays
- Huntsville Comes From Behind Again, 8-4 - Huntsville Stars
- Bats come alive for Smokies - Knoxville Smokies
- Padres tryout camp date moved to June 28th - Mobile BayBears
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