Rays Stay Hot, Sweep Doubleheader
May 11, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
Jacksonville, FLA. - Maybe road trips aren't so bad after all.
Coming off a 6-2 home stand that included a 3-1 record against the league-leading Carolina Mudcats, the Orlando Rays probably weren't too eager to get back on the road. After all, the last road trip was disastrous, as Orlando dropped all twelve games of their last journey away from Cracker Jack Stadium. But with the offense heating up and the starting pitching keeping the Jacksonville offense in check, the Rays took both games of the doubleheader from the Suns, winning 4-2 in game one and 4-2 in eight innings in game two.
The doubleheader of two seven-inning games was necessitated by the breakdown of the Suns' bus on their return trip from Birmingham, forcing Jacksonville to spend over 12 hours stranded on the side of the road in Alabama.
Matt Diaz continued to swing a hot bat, pacing the Orlando offense with a 4-8 effort that included a home run, three runs scored and two RBI over the two games.
GAME 1 - Rays 4, Suns 2
Diaz went 2-4 with a homer, double, two runs and an RBI in leading Orlando to a 4-2 win over the Suns. Diaz's homer was his second in as many days, and the double was his team-leading 12th on the year. Jonny Gomes went 3-3 with a double and an RBI, while Jace Brewer went 2-3 with a double for Orlando, which snapped a 12-game road losing streak with the win. Dan DeMent and Frank Moore each added solo home runs for Orlando, and for each it was their first of the season.
Jim Magrane (3-2) earned the win after holding the Suns to two unearned runs on three hits over 5.0 IP. Evan Rust (SV, 3) earned his third save of the season by allowing only one hit in a scoreless seventh.
GAME 2 - Rays 4, Suns 2 (8 Innings)
Diaz, Dement and Gomes continued to swing the hot bats in game two, as the Rays won 4-2 in extra innings. Diaz went 2-4 with a double and a run scored, while DeMent went 2-4 with an RBI. Gomes was 1-2 with a double, run scored and RBI and reached base twice after being hit by pitches. Orlando starting pitcher Jose Veras went 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out a season-high 10 batters. Bartolome Fortunato (1-2) earned the win after throwing a scoreless seventh, striking out two while Evan Rust (SV, 4) pitched a scoreless eighth to pick up his fourth save on the year and second on the day. Combined the Rays pitchers held Jacksonville to five hits while striking out 14 Suns hitters.
The Rays have now won five of their last six and eight of their last 10. Orlando and the Suns square off again tomorrow at 11:05 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, with Orlando sending LHP Jon Switzer (3-2, 4.91) to the mound to face RHP Tommy Farmer (1-2, 3.10) for the Suns.
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Southern League Stories from May 11, 2003
- Rays Stay Hot, Sweep Doubleheader - Orlando Rays
- Rays sweep twinbill, skid hits 8 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Gemoll Powers Stars past Smokies, 3-1 - Huntsville Stars
- Stars Even Series With 3-1 Win - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons and Diamond Jaxx Rained Out - Birmingham Barons
- Barons Take Series Opener from West Tenn, 2-1 - Birmingham Barons
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