Bats Come Alive as Trappers Down Rainiers

August 2, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


Third baseman Scott Hodges was 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI as the first-place Edmonton Trappers downed the Tacoma Rainiers 10-4 Friday night at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. The home run was the 11th of the season for Hodges, who had a terrific month of July batting .343 (37-for-108) with five home runs and 20 RBI in 29 games. He now ranks third on the club with 54 RBI. Edmonton took three of the four games from the cellar-dwelling Rainiers and now lead the season series, eight games to four. The Trappers had struggled at the plate over the previous nine games, batting just .188 in those contests, while going 3-6. Edmonton plated only 17 runs in that span, but they turned it around on Friday night, hitting double figures in runs scored for the 11th time this season. The Trappers banged out 13 hits in the game, including five for extra-bases. Edmonton will begin a four-game series against the Oklahoma RedHawks on Saturday night at TELUS Field.

Center fielder Peter Bergeron got things started for the Trappers on Friday night with a triple off Tacoma starter Brian Sweeney. Second baseman Luis Figueroa followed with his team-leading 25th double of the season, scoring Bergeron with the game's first run. The Rainiers bounced right back in the bottom of the first with a run off Edmonton starter Ron Chiavacci. Leadoff man Jamal Strong singled and stole second to open the inning. Adrian Myers bunted Strong over to third and Chris Snelling followed with a game-tying sacrifice fly. Tacoma took the lead in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by shortstop Ruben Castillo that plated Mickey Lopez, who had doubled to open the frame. Bergeron started a three-run rally in the top of the third inning with a double off Sweeney. Figueroa followed with a single to put runners at the corners. Figueroa reached second on an error by Castillo. Terrmel Sledge was safe at first on the same play to load the bases for Ryan Bale, who drew a walk, forcing home Bergeron with the tying run. Valentino Pascucci put the Trappers in front with a two-run single that scored Figueroa and Sledge. Snelling made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third with his second home run of the season.

Chiavacci and Sweeney pitched solidly over the next three innings, keeping both squads off the board. They both exited after the sixth inning, turning the one-run game over to the bullpens. Jose Rodriguez took over for Chiavacci and walked Tacoma's third baseman, Luis Figueroa, to open the frame. With two down Strong drew a walk and Myers reached on an error. Vic Darensbourg (3-2) replaced Rodriguez and walked Snelling, forcing in the tying run. Edmonton took the lead in the eight with two runs off Scott Atchison (5-6). Pascucci was hit by a pitch, Matt Cepicky singled and Hodges put the Trappers in front to stay with a base hit to center field that plated Pascucci. Cepicky later scored the Trappers sixth run of the contest as Bergeron grounded into a fielder's choice. Edmonton tallied four times in the ninth inning off lefty Randy Williams. Sledge walked to start the inning and scored on a double by Balfe. Cepicky then drew a walk and Hodges capped the scoring with a three-run blast over the right-field fence at historic Cheney Stadium.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 27-28 on the road...scored 10 or more runs for the 11th time...had 10 or more hits for the 53rd time...are 22-10 when scoring the first run on the road...have won seven of the last nine road games...lead the North Division by 2 ½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers and three games over the Portland Beavers...are 16-10 vs. the North Division...26 of the final 34 games are against the North...Edmonton leads the season series, 8-4...Tacoma leads the all-time series, 208-178.

3B Scott Hodges: Had three hits, including his 11th home run of the season, and drove in four runs...is third on the club with 54 RBI...hit .343 (37-for-108) with five home runs and 20 RBI in 29 games in June...eight of his 11 homers have been hit on the road.

Alumni Report:

RHP Kyle Lohse (MIN) vs. DET: Won for the first time in eight starts as the Twins downed the lowly Detroit Tigers 10-4 at the Metrodome...allowed three runs on six hits, while fanning two in 6.0 innings of work...Michael Restovich added a two-run triple.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 2, 2003


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