Another Thriller at Telus Field

May 31, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


Second baseman Luis Figueroa doubled with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, plating Jeremy Ware with the winning run as the Edmonton Trappers defeated the Memphis Redbirds 7-5 Saturday at TELUS Field. The win was the third in five games for the Trappers on this homestand and their second in a row. It was also the second time that the club has won a game in dramatic fashion on this homestand. Edwards Guzman drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Wednesday night to give the Trappers a thrilling 6-5 win over New Orleans. Saturdays' win was the club's sixth in their final at-bat. Edmonton improves to 15-10 at home with the victory and finishes the month of May with a 13-14 record. The Trappers and Redbirds will continue this four-game series on Sunday afternoon at TELUS Field.

Edmonton's starter on Saturday night, left-hander Scott Downs, did not allow a home run until his tenth start of the season at Colorado Springs on May 26. However, he has now yielded four longballs in this last two starts as the second batter of the game for Memphis, third baseman Bo Hart, lofted a home run the opposite way over the right field wall to give the Redbirds an early 1-0 lead. The Trappers battled right back with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Peter Bergeron lined a single up the middle to get things started. Figueroa reached on an error by Memphis first baseman Scott Seabol that allowed Bergeron to advance to third. Terrmel Sledge plated Bergeron with a sacrifice fly and Joe Vitiello drove home Figueroa with a double to straightaway center field. Edmonton scored two more runs in the third inning off Memphis starter Clint Weibl. Sledge led off with an infield hit and moved to third on a single by Vitiello. Edwards Guzman then singled to left, scoring Sledge and advancing Vitiello to second. With one out and runners on the corners Randy Knorr singled to right, plating Vitiello with Edmonton's fourth run.

Memphis tied the game with three runs in the fourth inning off Downs. With one out Jon Nunnally drew a walk and the next batter, left fielder Dee Haynes, took Downs deep to left field for his tenth home run of the season. Jason Bowers singled with two out and scored the tying run on a triple to center field by Luis Rodriguez. The Trappers took the lead in the sixth inning as Peter Bergeron drew a walk to open the frame and then moved to third on a double by Figueroa. Sledge grounded out, plating Bergeron with the go-ahead run. The Redbirds came right back with a run in the seventh inning. Bowers led off with a triple and scored on a ground out by pinch-hitter Todd Dunwoody. Ware pinch-hit for Bryan Hebson (4-0) and opened the eighth inning with a base hit to center field. Bergeron sacrificed Ware over to second and Figueroa followed with his game-winning hit. With two out Joe Vitiello singled to right field, plating Figueroa for Edmonton's seventh and final run. Closer Julio Manon finished off the game with a perfect ninth inning. He is now 11-for-11 in save opportunities.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 15-10 at TELUS Field this season.have won six games their final at-bat.staff has yielded only 34 longballs all season, but gave up two longballs on Saturday night.Edmonton leads the season series, 1-0.Memphis leads the All-Time series between the two clubs, 19-17.Edmonton won the season series from Memphis in 2002 for the first time since the Redbirds joined the PCL in 1998. RF Terrmel Sledge: Was 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.owns the longest streak by a Trapper hitter this season.is 25-for-56 (.446) with 14 runs scored, two home runs and 13 RBI in that span.

Alumni Report:

3B Frank Menechino (OAK) @ KC: Hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot off left-hander Darrell May in the sixth inning.Eric Byrnes hit a dramatic three-run home run with two out in the top of the ninth to give the A's a 7-6 victory.



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 31, 2003


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