Lopez Leads Rainiers Comeback

August 12, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


Second baseman Mickey Lopez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Tacoma Rainiers a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Trappers Monday night at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. The loss was the sixth in a row for the Trappers, tying the season-high for the longest losing streak. The Trappers lead the season series between the two clubs eight games to five, but many of the games in the series have been nail-biters. Six of the thirteen contests have been decided by one run, with each club winning three of those games. The Trappers have struggled on this road trip, losing all five games thus far and are now just 11-16 since the All-Star break. The club is under .500 for the first time since June 27. Edmonton leads the North Division by 1½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers and two games over the Portland Beavers. The Trappers and Rainiers continue this four-game set on Tuesday night at Cheney Stadium. Edmonton will return home four a four-game series against Salt Lake on Friday night.

Tacoma starter Craig Anderson was stellar in his last outing against the Trappers on July 31. He yielded just one run in 8.0 innings of work that day as the Rainiers squeaked out a 2-1 victory. Anderson wasn't quite as sharp on Monday night but he did limit the Trappers to just two runs, one earned, on eight hits and two walks, while fanning five in 6.0 innings of work. Edmonton got to him for one run in the third inning as Scott Hodges reached on an error by Lopez, moved to second on an infield single by Anthony Medrano, advanced to third when Peter Bergeron bounced into a fielder's choice and finally scored on a single by Terrmel Sledge. The Trappers took a two-run lead in the fourth inning on a one-out home run by Matt Cepicky, his sixth of the campaign. Edmonton starter Blake Stein began the night having allowed only two unearned runs in his last 16.2 innings. He was sharp through the first five frames, shutting the Rainiers out on a four-hitter.

In his previous start against Tacoma on July 29 Stein pitched 8.0 shutout innings en route to the victory. He went 5.1 innings on Monday before the Rainiers touched him for three runs. With one out in the frame Greg Connors doubled and Lopez followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Luis Figueroa singled, scoring Connors and Julio Mosquera followed with a double that plated Lopez with the tying run. Vic Darensbourg took over for Stein and allowed Figueroa to score the go-ahead run on an infield by Chris Snelling. Edmonton came right back in the top of the seventh to retake the lead off reliever Ken Cloude (2-4). With two out Valentino Pascucci drew a walk and Ryan Balfe followed with his fifth home run of the season, putting Edmonton up, 4-3. Connors doubled with one down in the bottom of the frame, spelling the end for Darensbourg, who was replaced by Julio Manon (1-1). The Edmonton closer surrendered the game-winning home run to Lopez. Aaron Looper pitched the final 2.0 innings for his fourth save of the season.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 27-33 on the road...have lost six games in a row, tying the season-high...are 11-16 since the break...are 16-15 in one-run games, including a 6-10 record on the road...are 5-11 on Mondays...have allowed 15 home runs in the last eight games, during which the club is 1-7...lead the North Division by 1 ½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers and two games over the Portland Beavers...Edmonton leads the season series, 8-5...Tacoma leads the all-time series, 209-178.

DH Terrmel Sledge: Broke out of a 12-for-66 (.182) slump, his worst of the season, with four hits and an RBI...slump had dropped his batting average to .305 and had knocked him out of the top ten in the batting race...RBI was his 70th of the season.

Alumni Report:

RHP Kyle Lohse (MIN) vs. CLE: Won his third consecutive start, keeping the Indians hitless until the fourth inning and yielding only three runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out four in 8.0 innings as the Twins won 5-3...Minnesota is 17-8 since the All-Star break, the second best record in the Major Leagues...Lohse is 9-9 with a 4.97 ERA this season.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 12, 2003


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.

OurSports Central