Big Bats Put Trappers Back on Winning Path
August 14, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
The Edmonton Trappers exploded for nine runs on 18 hits in a 9-3 drubbing of the Tacoma Rainiers Thursday afternoon. The win puts to an end the Trappers eight-game losing streak, the longest such slump by the club in two seasons. Edmonton's bats struggled during the losing streak. The club hit only .245 with four home runs and 25 runs scored in that span. Right-hander Britt Reames (4-13) earned the victory for the Trappers, allowing three runs in 6.2 innings of work. Reames entered the game on a personal seven-game losing streak. His last victory before Thursday afternoon was on June 8 in Omaha. The victory gives the Trappers a nine-games-to-seven victory in the season series with the Rainiers. Edmonton will begin a four-game series against the Salt Lake Stingers on Friday night at TELUS Field. The Trappers will either be ½ game ahead or a ½ game behind Salt Lake depending on the outcome of the Stingers game tonight in Iowa.
Edmonton's Luis Figueroa got things started on the right foot for the Trappers with a leadoff double off Tacoma starter Jeff Heaverlo (5-10) in the first inning. He advanced to third on an error by catcher Julio Mosquera, the first of four miscues for the Rainiers. Terrmel Sledge followed with a base hit to right field that scored Figueroa. With two out Valentino Pascucci doubled to put runners at second and third, Ryan Balfe singled, scoring Sledge and Matt Cepicky capped the scoring with a base hit that plated Pascucci. In the bottom of the first inning Adrian Myers singled to right field and stole second. Tacoma's Luis Figueroa followed with a base hit that plated Myers with the Rainiers first run. The second inning was a complete disaster for Heaverlo as the Trappers sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs on five hits. He would exit after the inning having allowed eight runs, seven earned, on 10 hits, while fanning just one.
Catcher Scott Sandusky led off the Trappers half of the second inning with a single. He advanced to second on an error by center fielder Jamal Strong and scored on Figueroa's second double in as many at-bats. Jake Thrower then singled to put runners at the corners for Sledge, who plated Figueroa with a sacrifice fly. First baseman Luis Ortiz, in his first game after being activated from the disabled list, then homered to left field, putting the Trappers up 7-1. Pascucci doubled and advanced to third on a fly ball. Cepicky then reached on an error by second baseman Mickey Lopez, which allowed Pascucci to score the fifth and final run of the inning. Sandusky started the third inning with a single off reliever Scott Atchison and Figueroa followed with a base hit that put runners at first and second for Thrower, who reached on an error by left fielder Andy Barkett. Sledge then grounded into a double play, allowing Sandusky to score Edmonton's ninth run. The Rainiers rallied in the seventh inning for two runs, chasing Reames from the game. Myers reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, allowing Mosquera to score and Figueroa singled, scoring Ruben Castillo with the final run of the frame. Richie Lewis pitched 2.1 shutout innings in relief of Reames. The Rainiers left the bases load in both the seventh and ninth innings.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 28-35 on the road...ended a season-high eight-game losing streak...was the longest losing streak by the club in two seasons...went 1-7 on the road trip...are 12-18 since the break...trailed the North Division-leading Salt Lake Stingers by ½ game entering today's action...are 17-13 vs. the North...Edmonton won the season series, 9-7...Tacoma leads the all-time series, 211-179...the Trappers new good-luck charm, K-Rock's Bill Cowen, was in attendance at the game...hurry back Bill!
RF Valentino Pascucci: Smashed two doubles, scored two runs and set a personal season-high with four hits...is tied with Luis Figueroa for the team lead with 27 doubles...began the day with the highest on-base percentage in the PCL at .420.
Alumni Report:
3B Casey Blake (CLE) vs. MIN: Belted a two-run home run off James Baldwin in the seventh inning as the Indians went on to defeat the Twins 8-3...also doubled and drove in three runs in total...ex-Twin is batting .294 with four homers and 10 RBI vs. Minnesota.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 14, 2003
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- Sidewinders Shutout Zephyrs, 4-0 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Barber Fires Shutout in First Triple-A Start - Tucson Sidewinders
- Big Bats Put Trappers Back on Winning Path - Edmonton Trappers
- Luis Ortiz Activated from Disabled List - Edmonton Trappers
- RedHawks conclude Homestand with More Givewaways - Oklahoma City Comets
- Isotopes to Hold Overnight Campout - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Isotopes to Hold Final Coaches Show at Assets Grill - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Zephyrs to Donate over 5,000 Tickets to 125 Local Charities - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Zephyrs to hold Backwards Night - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sox lose again - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Express outlasts Mother Nature, but not Drillers - Round Rock Express
- Alvarez, Sounds Don't Cooperate - Portland Beavers
- Trappers' Losing Streak Reaches Eight - Edmonton Trappers
- Sounds Increase Division Lead To Eight With 13-9 Win - Nashville Sounds
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