Rays secure wild card with 5-3 victory

PRINCETON, WV- The Princeton Rays (38-28) won their third consecutive game over the Bluefield Blue Jays (36-31) by a score of 5-3, clinching the wild card playoff spot in the Eastern division of the Appalachian League.

The Rays scored all five of their runs in the first three innings on home runs by each of their three outfielders. Princeton right fielder Eleardo Cabrera opened the scoring with a solo shot in the first inning, his seventh home run of the season.

Rays center fielder Emilio Gustave followed up with a two-run home run in the second, his sixth of the season, while left fielder Jesus Sanchez hit a two-run shot of his own, his third of the season for Princeton, in the third inning to put the Rays ahead for good.

The Blue Jays went on to score just one more run in the fifth, eventually falling 5-3 to Princeton.

Rays starter Hector Lopez pitched five innings, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out eight in his first win of the season.

Reliever Alex Estrella followed Lopez, pitching four scoreless innings and striking out five to close out the game and clinch the playoff spot. Estrella was rewarded with his second save of the season for his efforts.

The Rays will finish out the regular season in the series finale against the Blue Jays on Thurs., Sept. 1 beginning at 7 p.m. at H.P. Hunnicutt Field.

The Princeton Rays have been the proud Appalachian League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays since 1997. Any questions may be forwarded to the Rays' front office at 304-487-2000 or [email protected].