Hot Sox Down Trappers in Pitchers Duel
Published on May 24, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Left-hander Cory Vance (6-3) yielded one run on five hits in 7.0 outstanding innings to lead the Colorado Springs Sky Sox to a 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Trappers Saturday afternoon at Sky Sox Stadium. The win was the fifth in a row for the Sky Sox, who began the day with a five-game lead over the Omaha Royals in the Central Division of the Pacific Coast League. It's been a roller coaster ride of a road trip for the Trappers so far. The club won the first three games of the trip in Fresno, but have now lost the last three contests. The pitchers duel was a big change for the Trappers, who had allowed 21 runs in the two games prior to Saturday afternoon. Less than 24 hours after the two clubs combined for 18 runs and seven home runs there was only one longball and four runs scored. Saturday's game was the first of three consecutive afternoon games for the two clubs. The loss dropped Edmonton's record to 8-8 in afternoon contests. Edmonton has struggled against Colorado Springs in recent years, going 10-20 against the Sky Sox since 1999. The Trappers and Sky Sox continue this four-game series on Sunday afternoon at Sky Sox Stadium.
The Trappers opened the scoring in the top of the second inning by taking advantage of a bout of wildness by Vance. Left fielder Matt Cepicky singled to center field to get the inning started. Vance then walked right fielder Valentino Pascucci and catcher Randy Knorr to load the bases for shortstop Anthony Medrano. Medrano was unable to cash in any of the baserunners and the next batter, starting pitcher Eric Knott (2-3), struck out. That left things up to second baseman Luis Figueroa, who drew the Trappers third walk of the inning, forcing Cepicky home with what would prove to be Edmonton's only run of the game. Colorado Springs quickly erased the Trapper lead in the bottom of the second inning. With one out Garrett Atkins and Luke Allen had back-to-back singles off Knott. Ben Petrick then took the left-hander deep over the wall in right field for his sixth home run of the season, a three-run shot that would prove to be enough to give the Sky Sox the win. Ironically it was only the second home run that Knott has allowed all season.
The Trappers threatened in the third inning as Terrmel Sledge led off with a single, but Luis Ortiz grounded into a double play erasing Sledge. Cepicky followed with Edmonton's only extra-base hit of the game, a double to right field. Pascucci singled, moving Cepicky to third, but Knorr flew out to right field, ending the threat. Edmonton made a habit of taking themselves out of possible run-scoring situations the rest of the afternoon as Figueroa lined into a double play in the fourth, Sledge grounded into a double play in the fifth and Knorr grounded into a double play in the sixth. The Trappers also left seven men stranded and were unable to take advantage of a solid start from Knott, who allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk, while fanning three in 6.0 innings of work. Edmonton went quietly in the ninth as Colorado Springs closer Brad Clontz retired the side in order for his tenth save of the season and his second in as many days.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 3-3 on this road trip and 8-8 in day games.hit into four double plays.have grounded into 42 double plays this season.surrendered only three runs after yielding 21 runs total in back-to-back games.staff has yielded only 25 longballs all season, the lowest total in the PCL.are 10-16 on the road.Colorado Springs leads the season series, 2-0.Edmonton leads the All-Time series between the two clubs, 94-84. RF Terrmel Sledge: Was 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to eight games.is batting .484 (15-for-31) with a home run and four RBI during the streak.began the day with the third highest on-base percentage in the PCL (.448).
Alumni Report:
RF Scott Spiezio (ANA) vs. TB: His two-out, RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning gave the Angels a 3-2 lead as they went on to defeat the Devil Rays 7-2 at Edison Field.had two hits and also scored a run for Anaheim, who is now 23-24 on the season.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 24, 2003
- Tremie single lifts Express in ninth - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Defeat Royals, 5-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Burke and Whiteman: The Express Middlemen - Round Rock Express
- Tacoma's Homers Enough to Top Sidewinders - Tucson Sidewinders
- Hot Sox Down Trappers in Pitchers Duel - Edmonton Trappers
- Sounds To Honor Military Servicemen During Memorial Day Festivities - Nashville Sounds
- Colon Assigned to Trapper Roster - Edmonton Trappers
- Sidewinders to Host North Division Teams Portland and Salt Lake - Tucson Sidewinders
- Stingers Defeat Zephyrs, 8-6 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Trappers Homer Four Times but Lose to Sky Sox - Edmonton Trappers
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