Condrey Quiets Trappers Bats

July 6, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


Right-hander Clay Condrey (1-0) yielded only five hits, while striking out six in 7.0 shutout innings as the Portland Beavers downed the Edmonton Trappers 5-1 Saturday night at PGE Park in Portland. The two clubs have split the first two games in this three-game series with the rubber match still to come on Sunday afternoon. Despite the loss Edmonton still leads the North Division of the Pacific Coast League by ½ game over the Beavers. The victory was only the second for Portland in six tries against the first-place Trappers this season. Edmonton has also dominated the all-time series, winning 24 of the 38 games played between the two squads since the Beavers joined the PCL in 2001. The Trappers have been one of the hottest clubs in the PCL as of late and even with the loss have a 13-7 record in their last 20 games. Edmonton and Portland conclude this three-game series on Sunday afternoon at PGE Park. The Trappers will begin a three-game set in Salt Lake against the Stingers on Monday night.

Second baseman Luis Figueroa got things started on a positive note for the Trappers on Saturday night with a leadoff single off Condrey in the first inning, but the righty retired the next three batters to end Edmonton's opportunity to get on the board first. The Trappers are 30-14 when they score the first run, but are now 13-28 when the opponent plates the first run after the Beavers scored once in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. Bernie Castro doubled off Trapper starter Britt Reames (3-10) to open the frame and later scored on a base hit by Tagg Bozied. Valentino Pascucci led off the top of the second with a single for Edmonton, but Condrey got the next batter, Matt Cepicky, to ground into a double play. Scott Hodges then singled and stole second. Condrey dominated after that, retiring the next nine batters that he faced. The Trappers were only able to manage two more singles the rest of the way off the right-hander, who earned his first victory in the PCL on Saturday night after spending most of the season with the San Diego Padres.

The Beavers took a two-run lead in the fourth inning when third baseman Ben Risinger singled and center fielder Jermaine Clark drew a walk with one out in the frame. Catcher Yamid Haad followed with a double that plated Risinger with the second Portland run of the game. Although he was tagged with his tenth loss of the season Reames pitched well. He allowed just two runs on seven hits and two walks, while fanning five in 6.0 innings of work. Enmanuel Ulloa took over for Reames in the seventh inning and yielded an RBI single to Mark Quinn followed by a two-run home run by Alex Fernandez. Edmonton got on the board in the top of the ninth inning off reliever Kevin Walker. Ryan Balfe singled with one out, moved to third on a double by Pascucci and scored on a single by Cepicky. With two down Randy Knorr drew a walk to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate in the person of third baseman Jake Thrower. Portland closer Cliff Bartosh then relieved Walker and got Thrower to ground out for the victory and his 10th save of the campaign.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 18-24 on the road...are 13-7 in the last 20 games...are 11-7 vs. the North Division...Saturday's game was the tenth of 14 consecutive games against the North...have 859 hits in 85 games, putting the club on pace for 1445 hits...the club record is 1459... Edmonton leads the season series, 4-2...Edmonton leads the all-time series, 24-14.

RF Valentino Pascucci: Had two hits, including his 16th double of the season...is 4-for-9 (.444) in the first two games of this series...is batting .363 (29-for-80) in his last 24 games...entered the game with the third highest on-base percentage in the PCL (.436).

Alumni Report:

3B Casey Blake (CLE) @ MIN: Doubled twice, homered twice and drove in seven runs as the Indians crushed his old team 13-2...had five hits in the game and scored three runs...homered off ex-teammates Grant Balfour, a solo shot in the seventh, and J.C. Romero, a three-run shot in the ninth...is batting .269 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI...has 18 doubles.



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 6, 2003


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