CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Rays Topple Mudcats, 4-3

Published on May 9, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Orlando, FL --- Jace Brewer connected on a game-winning single against Mike Flannery culminating a stirring ninth-inning comeback as Orlando stunned the Carolina Mudcats 5-4 before 7,023 at Cracker Jack Stadium.

Carolina (22-12) saw a 4-1 lead slip to a single run as the last of the ninth began. However, the Rays (13-21), who were 0-11 with runners in scoring position and having left a dozen runners aboard in the first eight innings, were unfazed.

With two outs and none on, a walk to Jorge Cantu started the rally. Frank Moore singled Cantu to second ahead of Graig Merritt's game-tying hit to right. Brewer then drilled the first delivery from Flannery (L, 2-3, 1.2IP, 4H, 2ER, 2W, 3K) to win the game and the series for the last-place Rays.

Carolina staked starter Ryan Snare (ND, 5.1IP, 8H, 2ER, 3W, 7K) to a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-run double by Matt Padgett (1-4, 2B, 2RBI). After the Rays scored a run in the third on a Matt Diaz double, Josh Wilson (2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI) drove a grounder down the left field line to bring in two in the fifth inning for a 4-1 lead.

Diaz homered in the fifth against Snare before Snare exited in the sixth. Reliever Franklyn Gracesqui (ND, 1.2IP, 1H, 1ER, 1W, 1K, 2WP) worked a checkered 1 2/3 inning appearance, allowing a walk, a hit, pumping two wild pitches, yet surrendering just one run.

Carolina, which lost just its second series of the season out of eight to date, travels to Mobile, AL to begin a four-game series with the BayBears Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. Recently singed RH Marty McLeary makes his Carolina debut against the BayBears at 8:05 PM ET.

Notes: 3B Miguel Cabrera's 15-game hitting streak was snapped thanks to an 0-4 night. Cabrera had three hard-hit balls, including a drive to the warning track which was speared by Amado German in the third inning... Following the game, Chris Key was returned to the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League, with the Mudcats adding former major leaguer Aaron Small to the pitching staff. Small will join the club in Mobile Saturday night, and pitch behind McLeary's pitch-limited start... LHP Dontrelle Willis made his major league debut for the Marlins against the Rockies, receiving a no-decision in a 5-4 Florida win. Willis worked six full innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking two and fanning seven. Willis allowed a home run to Preston Wilson in the sixth inning. The game was played before 10,272 at Pro Player Stadium, which wouldn't even rank as the biggest crowd this season for the Mudcats lefty. Willis started before 13,262 fans in Birmingham, AL on April 13th, receiving a no-decision in a 3-2 Carolina win in 11 innings.

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Carolina League Stories from May 9, 2003


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