Pascucci Helps Trappers Celebrate Canada Day in Style
Published on July 1, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right fielder Valentino Pascucci was 3-for-3 with two home runs and six RBI as the Edmonton Trappers outslugged the Salt Lake Stingers 9-7 Tuesday afternoon. The two longballs ended a six-game homerless drought for the Trappers, who continue to lead the Pacific Coast League with a .301 team batting average. Pascucci is only the second Edmonton player to hit two home runs in a game this season and his six RBI tied a season-high by a Trapper player. After starting the season slowly Pascucci has been one of Edmonton's top hitters over the last six weeks. He is batting .357 with five home runs and 34 RBI in his last 41 games and is now tied with Terrmel Sledge for the club lead in runs batted in with 51. Pascucci is second on the club with nine home runs. Edmonton has done especially well in close games at home this season, posting a 13-5 record in games decided by two runs or less at TELUS Field. The Stingers and Trappers continue this four-game set on Wednesday night at TELUS Field.
Edmonton got to Salt Lake starter Matt Hensley (4-9) for four runs in the first inning, keyed by a three-run home run by Pascucci. Center fielder Peter Bergeron drew a walk to start the frame, stole second and advanced to third on an error by Stingers' catcher Wil Nieves. Luis Figueroa drew a walk and Sledge reached on an infield single that scored Bergeron and moved Figueroa to second. With one out Pascucci connected for his eighth home run of the season. Stingers right fielder Barry Wesson led off the top of the third inning with a double off Trapper starter Ron Chiavacci. He moved to third on a fly ball and scored on a ground out by Jason Hill. With one out in the bottom of the inning Ryan Balfe doubled down the right field line and Pascucci followed with his second home run of the day, a long blast to left-center field that gave the Trappers a 6-1 lead. Gary Johnson led off the top of the fourth inning with his sixth home run of the season to draw the Stingers to within four runs of the lead. Salt Lake had a chance for more in the inning after back-to-back singles by Wesson and Nieves and a walk to Hill, but Chiavacci fanned Julio Ramirez to get out of the jam.
Trent Durrington doubled to open the fifth inning and scored on a single by Adam Riggs. With two out and no one on Keith Johnson singled and Jeff Guiel followed with a two-run homer off Chiavacci, his eighth longball of the campaign. Elio Serrano replaced Hensley in the fifth inning and yielded two runs to the Trappers. Figueroa drew a walk, Sledge singled and Balfe walked to load the bases for Pascucci, who also drew a walk, forcing Figueroa home. Sledge scored on a sacrifice fly by Scott Hodges to give Edmonton an 8-5 lead. Balfe led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single and moved to second on a base hit by Pascucci. Hodges blooped a single into left field to load the bases for Jake Thrower, who lofted a sacrifice fly into right field to score Balfe with Edmonton's ninth run. Robb Quinlan led off the eighth inning for the Stingers with a double to right field. He advanced to third on an error by Pascucci and scored on a ground out. Ramirez led off the top of the ninth inning with his seventh home run of the season to pull the Stingers to within one run of the lead. Bryan Hebson came on to get the final three outs and record his fifth save of the season.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 24-17 at TELUS Field.are 10-5 in day games at home.are 11-5 in the last 16 games.are 9-5 against the North Division.lead the PCL with a .301 team batting average.the season series is tied, 1-1.Salt Lake leads the all-time series, 57-56.
RF Valentino Pascucci: Homered twice and drove in six runs.became the second Edmonton player to hit two home runs in one game this season.tied a Trapper season-high with the six RBI.is batting .357 in his last 41 games.has nine home runs and 51 RBI.
Alumni Report:
CF Jim Edmonds (STL) vs. SF: Tied for the National League lead with Florida's Mike Lowell with 25 home runs.is eighth in RBI (59), third in total bases (182) and is tied for second in slugging percentage (.695).is batting .313 in 75 games for the Cardinals.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 1, 2003
- Zephyrs and Sounds Split Doubleheader - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Pascucci Helps Trappers Celebrate Canada Day in Style - Edmonton Trappers
- Sessions Named PCL Player of the Week - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Flores shuts down Cubs to lead Sox to 3-1 victory - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Emanuel Stings Trappers on Fireworks Night - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers on Short End of Pitchers' Duel - Portland Beavers
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