Caps earn third straight victory with 3-1 win over Chico
August 21, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Edmonton Capitals News Release
Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Capitals continued to roll Saturday night, sending the crowd home happy with a thrilling 3-1 victory over the visiting Chico Outlaws. Following an impressive outing one night earlier in which the home side racked up nine runs in a commanding 9-2 victory, the Caps took control in a pitchers' duel, besting Outlaws starter Jonny Bravo in the team's 50th win of the season.
It wasn't until the sixth inning before a run could be tallied, but it came in dramatic fashion. With Carlos Duncan, third-baseman, aboard in the bottom of the sixth, the Caps' superhero emerged to break the scoreless tie. Tom Collaro blasted a two-run shot over the scoreboard, cashing a 2-0 lead on the team's third hit of the evening.
Collaro proved to be the Caps' most lethal weapon at the plate. In four at-bats, he crushed three hits, while recording two RBI and a run in the winning effort.
Caps starting pitcher Jesse Smith tossed six scoreless innings, surrendering only seven hits and a pair of walks. He frustrated batters all night with his pinpoint delivery, striking-out five in the process. Reliever Chad Blackwell entered the game in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded. Blackwell struck-out two, but was unable to keep Chico off the scoreboard.
Edmonton's lead was halved when the Outlaws brought home a base-runner early in the inning. The run was charged to Smith, ending his shutout bid as he watched from the dugout.
The Caps were quick to respond, renewing the team's two-run lead in the bottom half of the inning. Steve Brown got caught in a rundown, but managed to elude the tag and round the bases off a Chico error, putting the home side up 3-1 and igniting the rambunctious crowd at TELUS Field.
Outlaws starter Jonny Bravo pitched six innings in the losing cause, allowing two runs, four hits and three walks. Although he struggled to control the plate early, Bravo rebounded to serve five strikeouts before exiting the game in the seventh inning. Demetrius Banks stepped in to complete the effort, but the damage had already been done in a 3-1 score.
Pitcher Tom Beleska came in for Edmonton in the ninth inning, sealing the 3-1 score and the Caps' 50th win. With the victory and Calgary's 10-1 triumph over Yuma, Edmonton remains 0.5 games back of the league-leading Vipers in the North American League's North Division.
When the game was over and the lights went down, fans were treated to the season's final Saturday Night Movie presented by Herbers Autobody Repair and Capital FM. With Saturday being Superhero Night at the ballpark, The Dark Knight was presented, entertaining fans on a gorgeous Saturday evening at TELUS Field.
Edmonton's four-game series against Chico concludes Sunday at 2pm as the Caps look to sweep the Outlaws before beginning a three-game set with the Vipers Tuesday night in Calgary.
The Capitals are the city's most affordable entertainment option in the summer, featuring Edmonton's largest patio! Flex packs are available in multiples of eight for $48 less than day-of-game pricing. Individual game tickets start at $10 in advance and can be purchased at the Capitals Box Office (10233 - 96 Ave) during regular business hours Monday through Friday, at any Ticketmaster location, online at capsbaseball.ca or via phone at 780-414-GOAL (4625).
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North American League Stories from August 21, 2011
- WhiteWings Lose 14-13 Heartbreaker - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Caps Sweep Outlaws to Jump into First Place - Edmonton Capitals
- Colts Win Back and Forth Battle in Walk-Off Fashion - San Angelo Colts
- Thunder Walk-Off Against Roadrunners - Edinburg Roadrunners
- One out Away, Vipers Tumble - Calgary Vipers
- Chico Outlaws Jason Stevenson Signed by San Francsico Giants - Chico Outlaws
- Kenosha Doubles up Lake County - Lake County Fielders
- Capitals hold on for 3-1 win - Chico Outlaws
- Caps earn third straight victory with 3-1 win over Chico - Edmonton Capitals
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