Downs tosses second no-hitter in Trapper history
June 12, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Left-hander Scott Downs (6-3) tossed the second no-hitter in Edmonton Trappers history in the second game of a doubleheader Friday night at TELUS Field as the Trappers defeated the Las Vegas 51s 4-0. Downs allowed only two baserunners, one that reached on an error and one on a first inning walk. He struck out three along the way. The no-hitter was the first thrown by a Trapper or an opponent in 24 seasons of Triple-A baseball in Edmonton. The first no-hitter in Trapper history was thrown by right-hander Aaron Small on August 8, 1996 at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver. It was the sixth win of the season for Downs, who entered the game with a team-best 3.50 ERA. He is a perfect 5-0 at home this season. The 51s won the first game 8-2 as shortstop Antonio Perez went 2-for-3 with a home run and five RBI. Anyone wishing to hear Scott's comments regarding his no-hitter can visit www.trappersbaseball.com where an interview is posted with Ron Rimer. Edmonton and Las Vegas will continue this four-game set on Saturday night at TELUS Field.
Downs retired the first two batters before walking hot-hitting left fielder Chin-Feng Chen. He retired the next batter, Luis Garcia, on a fielder's choice and recorded 11 consecutive outs before making an error on a ground ball off the bat of Daylan Holt in the fifth inning. He got out of that frame unscathed and then retired the side in order in the sixth inning, setting the stage for a dramatic final inning. Chen grounded out to second to open the seventh inning, Garcia flew out to right field and Downs finished off the no-hitter by striking out first baseman Rick Bell. Edmonton opened the scoring in the game with a single run in the bottom of the first inning off Las Vegas starter Heath Totten (2-8). Leadoff batter Brian Harris reached on an error by shortstop Jose Flores and later scored on a single to center field by Ron Calloway. First baseman Jorge Toca led off the Trappers' half of the second inning with a double and scored on a two-out single. Wes Carroll and Harris scampered home on a double by Anthony Medrano that gave Edmonton a four-run advantage.
The 51s owned the first game right from the beginning, scoring two runs in the opening frame off Trapper starter Ron Chiavacci (1-5). With one out in the Chen singled to left field, plating third baseman Jose Flores with the first run. Perez plated catcher Koyie Hill with a sacrifice fly later in the inning to give the 51s a two-run lead. Perez gave Las Vegas a five-run advantage with a three-run homer off Chiavacci in the third inning. It was his sixth longball of the season. Edmonton picked up their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning as catcher Paul Hoover singled with two out, scoring Valentino Pascucci from second. Las Vegas plated three runs in the fifth inning off reliever Wilfredo Rodriguez. Perez singled with one out scoring Hill, Holt followed with a base hit that plated Chen and Joe Thurston capped the frame with a sacrifice fly that scored Perez with Las Vegas' eighth run. Edmonton center fielder Brandon Watson reached on a single with one out in the seventh inning and advanced to second on an error. He scored later in the frame on a single by right fielder Ron Calloway. Right-hander Joel Hanrahan (2-2) earned the win for Las Vegas, allowing one run on three hits and four walks, while fanning three in 5.0 innings of work.
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