Chiavacci Tosses Gem as Trappers Top Rainiers
June 26, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Ron Chiavacci (1-1) allowed only one run on two hits in 6.2 masterful innings as the Edmonton Trappers downed the Tacoma Rainiers 4-1 Thursday night at TELUS Field. It was the first win at the Triple-A level for Chiavacci, who began the season with Edmonton, but was transferred to Double-A Harrisburg at the end of April and has only recently been promoted back to the Trappers. The only hits that he allowed were a solo home run to Pat Borders in the fourth inning and a seeing-eye single up the middle by Luis Figueroa in the seventh. Chiavacci walked four and struck out five en route to the victory. For Edmonton it was the eighth win in the last 11 games and moved the club to the .500 mark at 38-38. Thursday night's game was the first of 14 consecutive games for Edmonton against North Division foes. The Trappers are 6-3 against the North this season and have now moved to within ½ game of the first-place Portland Beavers. Edmonton and Tacoma continue this four-game series on Friday night at TELUS Field.
The Trappers opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning with the aid of a Tacoma error. With one out in the frame center fielder Peter Bergeron doubled down the right field line. Luis Figueroa then hit a ground ball to shortstop Ruben Castillo, who tried to get Bergeron at third, but Tacoma's third baseman, Figueroa, dropped the ball allowing Bergeron to advance safely. Terrmel Sledge plated Bergeron with a sacrifice fly and Luis Ortiz singled to left field to put runners at first and second. Valentino Pascucci doubled to left, scoring Figueroa and Ortiz to give Edmonton a three-run lead. Borders, the veteran catcher, put the Rainiers on the board with a solo home run in the fourth inning. It was the seventh longball of the season for the former Toronto Blue Jay. Bergeron also got things started for the Trappers in the fifth inning with an infield single. He moved to second on a ground out and scored on a two-out single by Ortiz, his 16th RBI in 13 games in the month of June.
Chiavacci was transferred back to Edmonton on June 20 and allowed four runs in 5.0 innings in his previous start. He walked two batters in the second inning, but got out of the jam by getting Figueroa to ground out. After retiring the side in order in the third and fanning Adrian Myers to lead off the fourth Chiavacci yielded the home run to Borders that ended his chance at a shutout. He walked Kenny Kelly with two out in then retired nine in a row before walking J.R. Phillips with one down in the seventh and then surrendering Figueroa's single up the middle. Bryan Hebson came on to fan Ruben Castillo to end the inning. He retired the first five batters that he faced before allowing back-to-back singles to Andy Barkett and Kelly in the ninth. Hebson struck out Phillips and got Figueroa to fly out to end the game. He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings to record his fourth save of the campaign. Tacoma starter Rett Johnson (1-1) took the loss despite allowing only one earned run in 6.0 innings of work. He yielded seven hits and one walk, while fanning two.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 21-15 at TELUS Field...began a stretch that will see them play 14 consecutive games within the division...are 6-3 against the North Division...lead the PCL with a .302 team batting average...have 774 hits in 76 games, putting the club on pace for 1456 hits...the club record is 1459...the club record for team batting average is .303...Edmonton leads the season series, 3-2...Tacoma leads the all-time series, 206-173.
RF Valentino Pascucci: Was 1-for-3 with two RBI to extend his hitting streak to six games...is 10-for-22 (.455) during the streak...began the game with the 2nd highest on-base percentage in the PCL (.443)...is batting .413 (19-for-46) in his last 15 games.
Alumni Report:
3B Eric Chavez (OAK) @ TEX: Was 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI as the A's crushed the Rangers 13-0 in Arlington...dinger was a three-run shot off Ismael Valdes in third inning...has 16 home runs and 45 RBI and is batting .260.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 26, 2003
- Chiavacci Tosses Gem as Trappers Top Rainiers - Edmonton Trappers
- Express turns tables on RoughRiders - Round Rock Express
- Three River Cats To Represent Sacramento In Triple-A All-Star Game - Sacramento River Cats
- Balfe Transferred from Double-A - Edmonton Trappers
- Camp Nolan Ryan - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs and Second Harvesters team up - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sledge Selected to Play in Triple-A All-Star Game - Edmonton Trappers
- RedHawk's Ludwick named to all-star team - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sox Return Home for July 3rd Fireworks Spectacular - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Buck and Sessions Named to PCL All-Star Team - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Bozied, Castro to Represent PCL in All-Star Game - Portland Beavers
- Triple-A All-Star Teams Announced - PCL1
- Wasdin, Corey Named To All-Star Team - Nashville Sounds
- Expos purchase the contract of RHP Tim Drew from Triple-A Edmonton - Edmonton Trappers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
