Sacramento Sweeps Edmonton
August 11, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Justin Duchscherer (12-2) allowed three runs in 6.0 innings of work as the Sacramento River Cats crushed the Edmonton Trappers 15-3 Sunday night at Raley Field in Sacramento. The victory gives the River Cats a sweep of the four-game series. Sacramento, which owns the best record in the PCL at 77-45 and came into play on Sunday night with an 11-game lead in the South Division, won 11 of the 16 games played between the two clubs this season, including seven of the eight contests played at Raley Field. Should the Trappers win the North Division they would open the Pacific Conference Final with two games at TELUS Field, but would then have to travel to Sacramento for the final three games of the series. Sacramento's magic number to clinch the South Division is quickly approaching single digits. The Trappers lead the North Division by 1½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers and two games over the Portland Beavers. Edmonton will begin a four-game series in Tacoma on Monday night. All 22 of the Trappers remaining games will be against North Division foes.
It took all of two batters for the River Cats to take the lead on Sunday night. Second baseman Esteban German drew a walk to leadoff the first inning, stole second and then scored on Chris Prieto's home run. With two out Mike Edwards singled to left field and then scored on a double by third baseman Luis Lopez. Catcher Mike Rose led off the second inning with his eighth home run of the season to put the River Cats up by four runs. Sacramento left no doubt as to who the victor would be on this night with a four-run third inning that expanded their lead to 8-0. Graham Koonce opened the frame with a single and advanced to second on an error by center fielder Peter Bergeron. With one out Lopez was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on a ground out and Rose was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jose Flores then drew a base on balls to force home Koonce and German followed with a two-run single that plated Rose and Lopez. Flores scampered home with Sacramento's eighth run on an error by right fielder Valentino Pascucci.
Anthony Ferrari replaced starter Sun Woo Kim (7-7) in the fourth inning, but the River Cats kept piling on the runs. Koonce singled with one out in the frame and Edwards and Lopez drew walks to load the bases for Michael Lockwood, who singled, scoring Koonce. Rose drew a base on balls to force home Edwards with Sacramento's 10th run and Flores followed with a sacrifice fly that plated Lopez. Edmonton finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning. Luis Figueroa singled to open the inning and Pascucci drew a one-out walk to put runners at first and second for Ryan Balfe, who homered to right field. It was the fourth longball of the campaign for Balfe. Sacramento plated another run in the seventh inning off reliever Vic Darensbourg, who walked Flores to start the frame and later yielded an RBI double to Bobby Crosby. They capped the scoring in the eighth inning with three runs off Tim Drew. Flores drove home Edwards with an RBI double, German followed with a run-scoring single that plated Rose and Prieto finished what he started with an RBI single that scored Flores. The River Cats scored 24 runs and had 33 hits in the final two games of the series.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 27-32 on the road...have lost five games in a row for the second time since the All-Star break...are 11-15 since the break...were swept for the third time this season, all on the road...allowed 10 or more runs for the 14th time...Sacramento outscored Edmonton 62-31 and outhomered the Trappers 11-5 at Raley Field...lead the North Division by 1 ½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers and two games over the Portland Beavers...Sacramento won the season series, 11-5...Sacramento leads the all-time series, 26-22.
RF Valentin Pascucci: Went 1-for-3 and scored a run...was 5-for-11 (.455) in the final three games of the series...also drew a walk, upping his season total to 88...began the night with a league-leading .426 on-base percentage...was tied for second in RBI with 77.
Alumni Report:
CF Carl Everett (CHW) vs. OAK: Hit a solo home run off reliever Chad Harville with one out in the eighth inning to help the White Sox defeat the A's 5-1...was his 21st home run and 64th RBI...Esteban Loaiza outdueled Canadian Rich Harden for his 15th win.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 11, 2003
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- Hanrahan to start for 51s - Las Vegas Aviators
- Redbirds face Las Vegas starting tonight at AutoZone Park - Memphis Redbirds
- Welcome Home - Round Rock Express
- Sweeney, Figueroa Capture PCL Honors - PCL1
- Zephyrs Begin Eight-Game Homestand Monday - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sox Split Double Header with Sounds - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Isotopes Cruise by Zephyrs, 10-6 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sacramento Sweeps Edmonton - Edmonton Trappers
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