Opportunistic Trappers defeat Tacoma, 8-3
Published on April 25, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
The Edmonton Trappers took advantage of seven Tacoma Rainiers' walks and four wild pitches en route to an 8-3 win Sunday afternoon at TELUS Field. The Trappers also relied on stellar defense, turning a season-high five double plays in the contest. Edmonton rebounded after losing 10-5 in the Home Opener on Saturday night to record the club's 11th win of the season. The Trappers are 11-7 after 18 games, tied for the second-best start in the club's 24-year history. The win moves Edmonton into a tie for first place with the Salt Lake Stingers in the North Division of the Pacific Coast League. The Trappers have had one of the top offenses in the PCL so far in 2004. The club began the day with the second highest team batting average at .313 and has now scored 109 runs, an average of more than six runs per game. The Trappers have scored five or more runs 13 times in 2004. Edmonton and Tacoma continue this four-game set on Monday night at TELUS Field.
Right-hander Clint Nageotte (3-1), one of the top prospects in the Seattle Mariners organization, made the start for Tacoma on Sunday afternoon and struggled in two-plus innings on the hill. The Trappers got to Nageotte for two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Brandon Watson led off with a single, advanced to third when Henry Mateo and Anthony Medrano drew back-to-back walks and scored on a wild pitch. With the bases loaded later in the inning Ryan Church plated Mateo from third base with a sacrifice fly. The Rainiers tied the game in the second inning. Former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Pat Borders led off the frame with a single to center field and scored on a two-out, two-run home run by right fielder Elpidio Guzman. The Trappers regained the lead in the bottom of the second inning, scoring two times off Nageotte without getting a hit. With one out first baseman Paul Hoover was hit by a pitch. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Watson, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on yet another wild pitch. Mateo drew a walk with two out, stole second and scored on back-to-back wild pitches. Nageotte allowed only one hit in 2.0 innings, but walked seven and tossed four wild pitches, yielding four runs to Edmonton.
The Rainiers battled back with a single run in the fourth inning off Edmonton starter Scott Downs (2-0). Borders led off the inning with a double down the left field line and later scored on a two-base hit by second baseman Mickey Lopez. Downs got out of jams in the fifth and sixth innings by getting double play groundballs in each frame. He was lifted after the sixth and replaced by Christian Parker, who made his Trapper debut on Sunday afternoon. Downs allowed three runs on 10 hits and one walk, while fanning five in 6.0 innings of work to earn his second win of the season. Edmonton added two unearned runs off reliever Scott Atchison in the seventh inning. With one out Brian Harris scored on a sacrifice fly by Church and later in the inning a single by Randy Knorr plated Valentino Pascucci with the Trappers sixth run. An eighth inning double by Hoover scored Jeremy Ware from first base with Edmonton's seventh run. Hoover later scored on an error by Mickey Lopez to cap the scoring in the game.
Highlights:
Trappers: Have an 11-7 record.is tied for the second-best start in Trapper history.began the day with the second highest team batting average in the PCL (.313).had eight more hits on Sunday, increasing the season total to 198.have scored 109 runs in the first 18 games of the season, an average of 6.1 runs per game.turned five double plays in the contest, a season-high.
C Randy Knorr: Singled in the sixth inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, a Trapper season-high.added an RBI-single in the seventh inning.was 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.is 21-for-46 (.457) with one home run and 12 RBI during the streak.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 25, 2004
- Homer-filled sixth sparks Beavers' 8-4 win over Stingers - Portland Beavers
- Ninth inning rally lifts Sidewinders over Grizzlies - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds Win Fourth In A Row, 9-2 Over RedHawks - Nashville Sounds
- Opportunistic Trappers defeat Tacoma, 8-3 - Edmonton Trappers
- Fresno Downs Tucson 10-4 - Tucson Sidewinders
- Trappers drop home opener - Edmonton Trappers
- Sweeney anchors second straight shutout - Portland Beavers
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.
