That's because it was Roa's first major league win in five years.
"This win, in all honesty, means more to me than the first one," Roa told reporters afterward. "That's because I know how hard it is to get up here and stay here."
That five-year gap in major league wins included time in the minors. It also included time rehabbing. Roa lost all of 1999 to Tommy John surgery. Before his surgery, Roa saw time in three major league seasons. After, he got into three more.
Roa's career began in 1989, taken by the Braves in the 18th round of the draft out of Hazel Park High School in Michigan.
He started in the rookie Gulf Coast League, moving to rookie Pulaski in 1990. He made single-A Macon in 1991, before moving to the Mets system for 1992.
With the Mets, he made AAA Norfolk in 1994. He then moved to the Indians for 1995. He also made the majors.
Roa's first couple trips to the majors were brief. He got into one game in each of 1995 and 1996. His first extended time came in 1997 with the Giants. He got 28 outings, three starts, with a 5.21 ERA.
In one 1997 outing, Roa gave up five runs over five innings. He walked the pitcher with two out in one inning, leading to a rally, according to The Associated Press.
"That's something I've got to get out of right there," Roa told The AP. "What hurts is I've been in those situations before, and I should know how to get out of them."
That was Roa's last major league outing until 2002. In between, he played 1998 at AAA Fresno. He then lost all of 1999 to Tommy John surgery. He returned to the field in 2000 at AA, then played 2001 between AA and AAA with the Marlins.
He returned to the majors in 2002 with the Phillies, getting 14 outings and 11 starts. He went 4-4, with a 4.04 ERA.
In 2003, Roa got into 28 games between the Phillies, Rockies and Padres. He had a 6.14 ERA.
Going into that year, Roa tried to explain his game to The Allentown Morning Call.
"Intelligence is a big part of my game," Roa told The Morning Call. "This may sound strange and people may disagree, but the more I see you, the better I am."
Roa played one more season and it was his busiest. He got into 48 games for the Twins in relief, with a 4.50 ERA. He played in one more season, six outings at AAA with the Pirates, rounding out his career.
- Lodi News-Sentinel, July 25, 1997: Troubled Phils surprise Giants
- Reading Eagle, news services, Aug. 16, 2002: Phillies' Roa brews up a gem
- Allentown Morning Call, March 28, 2003: Phillies' Roa finally gets an Opening
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