Flurry of Moves Impacts Trappers
Published on May 5, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
EDMONTON, AB - The Montreal Expos announced today that they had traded right-handed pitcher Ben Washburn to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for first baseman Joe Vitiello and assigned him to Triple-A Edmonton. The Expos also released outfielder Damon Buford. In addition right-handed pitcher Ron Chiavacci was assigned to Double-A Harrisburg and left-hander pitcher Anthony Ferrari was assigned to Edmonton's roster from Harrisburg. Edmonton begins a four-game road trip in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. The Trappers are 11-6 in their last 17 games and are currently tied for second place in the North Division of the PCL.
Vitiello, 33, began the season with Triple-A Fresno, where he batted .213 (16-for-75) with three RBI in 23 games. He hit safely in each of his last four games with Fresno, going 5-for-14 (.357) in that span. Vitiello batted .329 (142-for-431) with 16 home runs and 82 RBI for Triple-A Ottawa in 2002 and was named the International League's All-Star first baseman. The Cambridge, Massachusetts native finished third in the IL in batting and also had the third highest slugging percentage (.520). He is a career .302 (1015-for-3363) batter with 136 home runs and 613 RBI in 937 minor league games. In 244 career Major League games Vitiello hit .237 (146-for-617), 23 home runs and 91 RBI. He was originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1991 draft.
Washburn, 23, was 1-1, 2.77 (13.0 IP - 4 ER) in eight games with Single-A Brevard County before the trade. He was originally selected by the Expos in the 14th round of the 2000 draft.
Ferrari, 24, was 2-0, 0.56 (16.0 IP - 1 ER) with five saves in 14 appearances with Harrisburg. He began the season with 10 scoreless appearances, covering 13.0 innings, and allowed a run in only one of his outings with the Senators. The San Francisco, California native was 7-4, 4.06 (75.1 IP - 34 ER) with six saves in 44 games with Harrisburg in 2002. He was originally drafted by the Expos out of Lewis & Clark State in the 44th round of the 2000 draft.
Chiavacci, 25, was 0-1, 11.85 (13.2 IP - 18 ER) in nine appearances (one start) with the Trappers this season. He spent all of 2002 with Harrisburg, where he went 6-9, 4.27 (111.2 IP - 53 ER) in 35 appearances (10 starts). The Scranton, Pennsylvania native was originally selected by the Expos in the 44th round of the 1998 draft.
Buford, 32, batted .150 (3-for-20) with one RBI and one stolen base in 15 games with the Trappers this season. He split the 2002 season between Triple-A Pawtucket, where he batted .161 (5-for-31) with one home run and two RBI in 10 games, Single-A Winston-Salem, where he hit .286 (8-for-28) with two RBI in seven games, and Triple-A Charlotte, where he batted .246 (34-for-138) with two home runs and 10 RBI in 41 games. The Baltimore, Maryland native was signed by the Expos as a free agent on January 20, 2003.
The next Trapper home game will be on Sunday, May 11 when the club will take on the Portland Beavers in a doubleheader. The first game will begin at 1:35 PM. Tickets for all regular season home games are on sale and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 451-8000. Twenty-game packs, ten-game packs and 2003 season tickets are also currently on sale at the Trapper General Office. For more information call 414-4450.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 5, 2003
- Edwards & Duchscherer Honored By PCL - Sacramento River Cats
- PCL Hands out Player of the Week Honors - PCL1
- Royals Swept in Doubleheader, Homestand - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sounds, 51s Rained Out - Nashville Sounds
- Flurry of Moves Impacts Trappers - Edmonton Trappers
- Zephyrs Begin Four-Game Homestand on Tuesday - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Trappers Game on May 10 Postponed - Edmonton Trappers
- Zephyrs Defeat Sky Sox, 2-1 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
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