Seventh Heaven for Sacramento

August 9, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


The Sacramento River Cats homered three times and scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break open a 2-2 tie and go on to defeat the Edmonton Trappers 7-2 Friday night at Raley Field in Sacramento. The home run has been a common weapon for the River Cats this season. They began the night with 121 longballs, the second highest total in the Pacific Coast League, and have now gone deep 12 times in 14 games against the Trappers this season. Sacramento, which leads the South Division and boasts the best record in the Pacific Coast League at 75-45 now leads the season series against the Trappers, nine games to five. Before arriving in Sacramento the Trappers had been enjoying a good run on the road. Edmonton had won seven of its first nine games away from TELUS Field after the All-Star break, but has now lost two consecutive contests to the River Cats. The Trappers are 1-5 at Raley Field this season and are now 2 ½ games ahead of the second-place Salt Lake Stingers in the North Division. Edmonton and Sacramento continue this four-game set on Saturday night at Raley Field.

The Trappers took the early lead, usually a good sign as the club entered Friday's game with a 22-10 record when scoring first on the road. With one out Luis Figueroa singled to left field. He stole second after Terrmel Sledge flew out for the second out of the inning and then scored the game's first run on a double down the left field line by Valentino Pascucci, his club-leading 76th RBI. Sacramento came right back with a run off the previously undefeated Seung Song (6-1) in the bottom of the first. Esteban German doubled to right-center field and advanced to third on Chris Prieto's bunt single. Bobby Crosby then grounded into a fielder's choice, plating German with the tying run. The River Cats took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the third inning when Crosby doubled with one out and later scored on a single by Mike Edwards. The Trappers responded immediately, tying the game in the fourth inning when Scott Hodges plated Michael Barrett from second with a single to center field.

Neither club was able to mount a rally until Sacramento's big five-run seventh. Song had allowed just two runs on five hits and looked as dominating as ever going into the fateful frame. Catcher Mike Rose led off the inning with what proved to be the game-winning hit, a solo home run to right field. Jose Flores followed with a single and German advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt. Julio Manon, who began the night with a 0.89 ERA with Edmonton, then replaced Song and walked Prieto to put runners on first and second for Bobby Crosby, who smashed his 17th home run of the season over the fence in left field, giving the River Cats a 6-2 lead. The next batter, Graham Koonce, capped the scoring with a solo shot. Manon had allowed only one home run all season before yielding the back-to-back dingers to Crosby and Koonce. Bert Snow finished off the game for winner Mike Kusiewicz (1-0) with 1.2 scoreless relief innings. The Sacramento bullpen has yielded just one run in 9.0 innings work in the first two games of this series.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 27-30 on the road...stole a season-high four bases...tied a season-high by allowing three home runs...are 22-11 when the opponent scores the first run on the road...have won seven of the last 11 road games, but are just 1-5 at Raley Field this season...lead the North Division by 2 ½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers and three games over the Portland Beavers...are 29-32 vs. the South Division...this is the last series of the season against a South Division foe...Sacramento leads the season series, 9-5...Sacramento leads the all-time series, 24-22.

3B Scott Hodges: Was 1-for-3, extending his hitting streak to eight games...is batting .467 (14-for-30) in that span...is hitting .365 (31-for-85) with four home runs and 18 RBI in 23 games since the All-Star break...has eight extra-base hits (4 2B, 4 HR) in that span.

Alumni Report:

LHP Johan Santana (MIN) @ DET: Yielded just one unearned run on two hits and three walks, while fanning five in 8.0 innings as the Twins edged the lowly Tigers 4-3...earned the win to move his record to 6-3...Matthew LeCroy also homered in the contest.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 9, 2003


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