Anderson Outduels Downs as Rainiers Slip Past Trappers
Published on July 31, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Left-hander Craig Anderson (9-10) yielded only one run on five hits and one walk in 8.0 outstanding innings as the Tacoma Rainiers edged the Edmonton Trappers 2-1 Thursday afternoon at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Anderson began the day with the tenth lowest ERA in the Pacific Coast League at 3.61, but he had not faired well in two starts against the Trappers, going 0-1, with a 9.72 ERA in those outings. It was a different story on Thursday afternoon as the Australian outdueled fellow lefty Scott Downs (7-7). Downs was almost as effective, yielding just two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one in a complete game effort. The loss ends a four-game winning streak for the Trappers against Tacoma, who are currently in the cellar in the North Division. Edmonton and Tacoma will conclude this four-game set on Friday night at Cheney Stadium. The Trappers will return home on Saturday night to begin a four-game series against the Oklahoma RedHawks.
Edmonton had an early opportunity to get on the board off Anderson. With one out right fielder Valentino Pascucci was hit by a pitch and advanced to third when designated hitter Matt Cepicky lined a double down the right field line. However, the Trappers were unable to push a run across as Anderson got third baseman Scott Hodges to fly out and then retired shortstop Anthony Medrano to end the inning. With one out in the third center fielder Peter Bergeron singled to left-center field, but he was erased when second baseman Jake Thrower grounded into a double play. Edmonton finally got on the board in the fourth inning as first baseman Ryan Balfe took Anderson deep down the right field line for his third home run of the season. A walk to Cepicky and an infield single by Hodges put runners on the corners later in the fourth, but Cepicky was caught in a rundown on a delayed double steal to end that threat. Tacoma tied the game in the bottom of the inning as left fielder Chad Meyers took Downs deep for his fourth home run of the season. Downs had faced the minimum number of batters through the first three innings.
The Rainiers manufactured the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Ruben Castillo drew a walk to lead off the frame, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jamal Strong and scored on J.R. Phillips' two-out single to left-center field. Ironically for Downs the walk to Castillo was the only one he would issue in the entire game. Anderson got tougher as the game went along. He retired 10 consecutive batters after the single by Hodges in the fourth inning and was never in trouble the rest of the afternoon despite not striking out a single batter. Downs was also stellar down the stretch, retiring the final six batters he faced en route to his third complete game of the season. Edmonton had a chance to tie the game in the ninth inning when left fielder Terrmel Sledge led off with a single off reliever Aaron Looper. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Balfe. Pascucci then popped up, leaving the game in hands of Cepicky, who hit a sharp ground ball that Phillips made a great play on at first base to end the game.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 26-28 on the road...are 16-12 in one-run games...game time was just one hour and 55 minutes, the fastest game of the year for Edmonton...had won six of the previous seven road games...entered the day leading the North Division by two games over the Portland Beavers and 2 ½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers...had a 17-14 record in July...are 15-10 vs. the North Division...26 of the final 34 games are against the North...Edmonton leads the season series, 7-4...Tacoma leads the all-time series, 208-177.
LHP Scott Downs: Took the loss to drop his record to 7-7, despite allowing only two runs on five hits and one walk in 8.0 innings of work...struck out one...has lost three consecutive starts, allowing a longball in each of those outings...has a 3.86 ERA this season.
Alumni Report:
RHP Matt Kinney (MIL) @ NYM: Earned his first win since June 27...allowed just one run on four hits and three walks, while fanning three in 6.0 innings as the Brewers beat the Mets 4-3...is 7-8 with a 5.08 ERA...had a 9.11 ERA in his previous five starts.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 31, 2003
- Express can't break through Mission pitching - Round Rock Express
- Sidewinders Break Redbirds Home Win Streak - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds Sweep Twinbill From Isotopes - Nashville Sounds
- Anderson Outduels Downs as Rainiers Slip Past Trappers - Edmonton Trappers
- Zephyrs Fall to Sky Sox, 8-5 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Zephyrs Blank Sox 7-0 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Former Zephyr Daryle Ward Scheduled to Play Against Zephyrs - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Zephyrs Shutout Sky Sox, 7-0 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Trappers Edge Rainiers, Lead North by Two Games - Edmonton Trappers
- Sounds' Spirits Dampened In 9-4 Loss - Nashville Sounds
- Beavers Slam River Cats - Portland Beavers
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