Sky Sox Sweep Trappers

May 26, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


First baseman Greg Vaughn was 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox defeated the Edmonton Trappers 7-2 Monday afternoon at Sky Sox Stadium to complete a sweep of a four-game series in a rain-shortened five-inning affair. For Vaughn it was the second consecutive day in which he homered off Trapper pitching. Catcher Ben Petrick also homered and doubled in the game. Petrick went deep in each of the last three games of the series and went 6-for-10 with three runs scored, two doubles, a triple, three home runs and 10 RBI in the set. Dating back to last season Petrick has homered six times in the last six games he has played against the Trappers. For Edmonton is was the second time in which the club has been swept on the road this season. The Trappers lost the first four games of the season in Tucson to the Sidewinders. Edmonton began the road trip with three straight wins in Fresno, but dropped the last five games to tie a season-high for the longest losing streak. Edmonton will begin an eight-game homestand against the New Orleans Zephyrs on Tuesday night at TELUS Field. Wednesday night is "Baseball Night in Canada." Edmonton Oilers forward Georges Laraque will be on hand to throw out the first pitch and will be available to sign autographs.

For the first time in the series the Trappers did not open the scoring on Monday afternoon. The Sky Sox got on the board first with a two runs in the bottom of the second inning off Edmonton starter Scott Downs (5-3). Vaughn got things started with his ninth home run of the season, a leadoff blast over the fence in left field. It was the first home run that Downs has surrendered this season. With one out Mandy Romero doubled to left. He advanced to third on a double by Petrick and scored on a ground out by Jerome Alviso. Vaughn put the Sky Sox up by three runs in the third inning when he doubled home Rene Reyes, who had singled with two out in the frame.

Edmonton's offense sputtered through the first three innings as right-hander Jason Young (4-1) retired the side in order in all three frames. With one out in the inning third baseman Scott Hodges singled to center. He scored on a triple by right fielder Terrmel Sledge, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games in the process. First baseman Valentino Pascucci then grounded out, scoring Sledge from third and drawing the Trappers to within one run of the lead. Petrick gave the Sky Sox a two-run advantage with one-out solo homer in bottom of the fourth. Alviso then singled and advanced to third on an error by Downs. Luke Allen reached on an error by shortstop Luis Figueroa, which also allowed Alviso to score. Young, who had reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning, scored on an error by Sledge and Allen scored the final run of the inning and the game on a single by Reyes. The game was called after five innings because of rain.

Highlights:

Trappers: Finished the road trip with five consecutive loses, tying the season-high for the longest losing streak...went 3-5 on the road trip...starting pitchers went 2-5 with an 8.49 ERA (41.1 IP – 39 ER) on the road trip...surrendered 35 runs in four games in Colorado Springs...staff has yielded only 29 longballs all season, but allowed eight homers in four games in Colorado Springs...are 10-18 on the road...Edmonton leads the All-Time series between the two clubs, 94-86, but are 10-22 versus Colorado Springs the last five seasons...are 3-9 at Sky Sox Stadium the last three campaigns...have been swept in Colorado Springs in two of the last three seasons.

RF Terrmel Sledge: RBI triple in the fourth inning extended his hitting streak to 10 games...ties Matt Cepicky for the longest streak by a Trapper hitter this season...is 18-for-38 (.474) with one home run and five RBI on the streak...began the day in 10th place in the PCL batting race (.329 average)...was third in on-base percentage (.445).

Alumni Report:

3B Casey Blake (CLE) @ DET: Singled with two out and one on in the seventh inning, setting the stage for a game-tying three-run home run by Brandon Phillips, but Brandon Inge homered in the bottom of the inning to give the Tigers a 6-5 win...is batting .260.



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 26, 2003


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