Suns Run Wild on Rays
June 24, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
Mobile, Ala. â Victor Diaz accounted for five of Jacksonville's six runs as the Suns outlasted the Orlando Rays 6-2 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Tuesday.
Diaz was a one-man wrecking crew at the plate, going 2-5 with a double and four RBI for the Suns (3-4), who won their second straight game over the Rays (2-5). For the second straight night Shane Victorino was a huge thorn in the Orlando Rays side, going 3-3 with three stolen bases and three runs scored. Last night Victorino singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, lifting the Suns to a 4-3 win over the Rays.
Pitching on just three days rest, Orlando starter Jose Veras (3-7) gave the Rays all he could, keeping Orlando in the game through the first five innings of the night. He was tagged for three runs â all earned â on six hits in 5.1 innings pitched. He also walked four while striking out only one, leaving the game trailing 3-2 in the sixth inning. The bullpen wouldn't fare nearly as well as Jacksonville put the game away off the Orlando relievers.
RP Dan Guillory continued his struggles against Jacksonville, allowing three runs on two hits in just 0.2 innings of work. The righthander was roughed up in his only other outing against the Suns, allowing four runs â three earned â in three innings in his other outing against Jacksonville on 6/11. RP John Rocker took over in the seventh and continued his control problems, walking three and allowing two hits over a scoreless final two innings.
Outfielder Jonny Gomes drove in both Orlando runs on a 2-5 night that included a solo home run in the 3rd inning and an RBI double in the 7th, scoring former Sun Jesus Feliciano. The run actually cut the Suns' lead to 3-2 but that was as close as the Rays would get, as the Suns put three insurance runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh to put the game away.
Gomes' homer was his 12th of the season and first in his last 21 games. It was also his 5th of the season off Jacksonville pitching.
The Rays and Suns continue their four-game series tomorrow at 7:05, with RHP Matt White (0-2, 6.04) taking to the hill for the Rays, while Jacksonville counters with RHP Joel Hanrahan (7-3, 2.32). The Rays return home for a three-game set with West Tennessee that starts Friday at 7:05 at Cracker Jack Stadium.
Southern League Stories from June 24, 2003
- Stars Win Series Finale, 5-3 - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears back on winning track - Mobile BayBears
- Suns run wild in 6-2 win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Suns Run Wild on Rays - Orlando Rays
- Smokies Extinguish G-Braves' Rally - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Win 4th Straight - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Swing for Charity - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern Bases - SL1
- G-Braves, Carolina Pride Turn Back the Clocks - Mississippi Braves
- Kremblas, Hardy, Krynzel in All-Star Futures Game - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears second half streak ends - Mobile BayBears
- Stars' Furious Rally Falls Short, 5-3 - Huntsville Stars
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