Beavers Eliminated from Playoff Contention

Published on August 29, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


EDMONTON, Alberta -- Matt Cepicky hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Edmonton Trappers clinched the Pacific Coast League's North Division with a 2-1 victory Friday over the Portland Beavers.

The Beavers (68-73) needed a four-game sweep of Edmonton to win the division. They can now finish no better than second.

The game entered the ninth in a 1-1 tie, but the Trappers (71-68) pushed across a run with back-to-back base hits. Luis Figueroa started the inning with a single and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Cliff Bartosh. He scored on Cepicky's single, just beating Alex Fernandez's throw to the plate.

Bryan Gaal, who allowed Figueroa's leadoff single, took the loss. The right-hander, making his Portland debut, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning but ran into trouble in the ninth.

Eric Knott faced just one batter in the top of the ninth inning, but earned the win for Edmonton. With runners at first and second and two outs, Knott retired Rico Washington on a fly ball to center field.

After scoring a third-inning run, the Trappers nursed their 1-0 lead through the first seven frames. Edmonton starting pitcher Britt Reames held the Beavers to two hits until the eighth.

In that inning, Portland had three hits and drew one walk, but only managed to score one run. With two outs, pinch-hitter Yamid Haad put the Beavers on the board with an RBI single to right field, scoring Washington from second.

Earlier in the eighth, Portland had another chance to score, but Edmonton right fielder Valentino Pascucci threw out Wiki Gonzalez at the plate. The Beavers' catcher tried to score from third on Donaldo Mendez's fly ball to shallow right.

Portland starting pitcher Dennis Tankersley didn't get a decision but turned in one of his best performances of the year. He pitched seven innings, allowing one run on three hits.

NOTES: San Diego recalled left-handed pitcher Kevin Walker before Friday's game ... Walker went 3-1 with a 4.08 ERA in 34 appearances with the Beavers ... Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to seven games with an eighth-inning single ... in three season, the Beavers are 4-16 at Edmonton's TELUS Field.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 29, 2003


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