Gonzalez Shuts Down Trappers
July 21, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Alfredo Gonzalez (1-0) yielded only one run on five hits and two walks, while fanning four in 7.0 innings of work as the Las Vegas 51s downed the Edmonton Trappers 5-1 Monday night at TELUS Field. It was the first Triple-A appearance of the season for Gonzalez, who began the year with Double-A Jacksonville. The 23-year-old was rated by Baseball America as the seventh-best prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system entering the season. Edmonton entered the game with eight wins in their last 10 starts, but were shut down by a Las Vegas club that began the night with the third best record in the PCL. The 51s have dominated the Trappers most of the season, winning nine of the 13 games played between the two clubs so far this campaign. The victory guarantees that Las Vegas will win the season series between the two clubs for the second straight season. Edmonton and Las Vegas continue this four-game set on Tuesday night at TELUS Field.
The 51s had a couple of opportunities to get on the board early off Trappers' starter Scott Downs (7-5), who pitched solidly in his second start after coming off the disabled list. Las Vegas loaded the bases in the second inning on singles by Chin-Feng Chen, Rick Bell and Eric Riggs, but Downs got out of the jam by getting Nick Theodorou to ground into an inning-ending double play. With one out in the third Jason Romano reached on an error and moved to second on a single by Joe Thurston, but Bubba Crosby, the league's leading hitter, grounded into a double play to end the threat. Downs retired the next nine batters that he faced and deserved a better fate on Monday night. He yielded three runs, one earned, on seven hits and one walk, while fanning three in 6.2 innings, but was charged with the loss. Gonzalez was solid from the get-go. Trapper center fielder Peter Bergeron led off the third inning with a double and moved to third on a ground out by Luis Figueroa, but Edmonton was unable to cash in the runner. Gonzalez retired eight of the next nine batters after the Bergeron hit as the two clubs remained deadlocked in a scoreless tied through five innings.
Crosby finally broke the scoreless tie with his eleventh home run of the season, a solo shot off Downs with two out in the sixth inning. Edmonton responded with a single run in the bottom of the frame. Bergeron drew a walk to open the inning and moved to second on a single by Figueroa, who was erased when left fielder Terrmel Sledge grounded into a fielder's choice. Bergeron advanced to third on the play. Ryan Balfe hit a sharp ground ball down the first base line that Bell, the Las Vegas first baseman, made a great diving stop on. Balfe was out on the play, but Bergeron scored the tying run. The 51s regained the lead with two unearned runs in the seventh inning. With two out Theodorou blooped a single into right field that barely eluded shortstop Anthony Medrano's grasp. Gonzalez then lofted a base hit into left field to put runners at first and second. Romano then sent a fly ball down the left field line that bounced out of Sledge's glove, allowing Theodorou and Gonzalez to score. Crosby led off the eighth inning with a single and scored on a home run by Chen, his 14th of the season and third against the Trappers.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 29-20 at TELUS Field.have a 13-7 record in July.are 8-3 in the last 11 games and 23-12 in the last 35 games.are 27-24 vs. the South Division.Monday's game was the eleventh of 20 consecutive games vs. the South.have 1008 hits in 100 games, putting the club on pace for 1441 hits.the club record is 1459.Las Vegas leads the season series, 9-4.Edmonton leads the all-time series, 143-140.
3B Scott Hodges: The PCL Batter of the Week was 2-for-4.is 11-for-23 (.478) with three home runs and 10 RBI in his last six games.is 30-for-73 (.411) with five home runs and 18 RBI in 19 games in July.is batting .300 with 10 homers and 48 RBI
Alumni Report:
RF Matt Stairs (PIT) vs. HOU: Led off the third inning with his 11th home run of the season off Houston right-hander Tim Redding as the Pirates downed the Astros 5-3.had two hits in the game and drove in two runs, giving him 25 RBI on the season.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 21, 2003
- River Cats Fall to Beavers, 2-0 - Sacramento River Cats
- Gonzalez Shuts Down Trappers - Edmonton Trappers
- Abbott Lifts Winders to Win in Salt Lake - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds Keep Rolling With 11-7 Win In Oklahoma - Nashville Sounds
- Former LSU Pitcher Joins Zephyrs - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Scott Hodges Named PCL Batter of the Week - Edmonton Trappers
- Inclement Weather Postpones R.B.I. Event - Nashville Sounds
- Redbirds Return Home Monday - Memphis Redbirds
- Meadows, Hodges Take PCL Nods - PCL1
- August 28 Game Time Change Announced - Nashville Sounds
- Near-Perfect Outing Nets Meadows PCL Pitcher-of-the-Week Honor - Nashville Sounds
- Greer Stadium To Host R.B.I. Games On Tuesday - Nashville Sounds
- 51's Snap Sox 6-Game Winning Streak - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Trappers Lead North Division by Five Games - Edmonton Trappers
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