Song Has Trappers Singing a Happy Tune

August 29, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


Right-hander Seung Song (7-2) tossed a complete game, four-hit shutout to lead the Edmonton Trappers to a 2-0 win over the Salt Lake Stingers Thursday night at Franklin Covey Field in Salt Lake City. The win is the fifth in a row for Edmonton and means that the club must win only one of its four remaining games in order to clinch the North Division title. The Trappers lead the second-place Portland Beavers by three games and the third-place Stingers by 3 ½ games. Portland must sweep the final four games of the season from the Trappers in order to win the division title. Salt Lake can no longer win the division. The shutout was the seventh of the season for Edmonton, who has won seven of its last 10 and 10 of its last 15 games. The club finishes with a 35-38 record on the road. The Trappers swept the five-game series from Salt Lake, outscoring the Stingers 37-18 in the process. The Trappers conclude the regular season with a four-game series against the Beavers beginning on Friday night at TELUS Field.

Song had struggled in his last three starts prior to taking the hill on Thursday night at Franklin Covey Field. He was 0-2 with a 12.00 ERA in those outings, including a loss to the Stingers on August 18 in which he surrendered eight runs, six earned, in only 1.1 innings of work. That start was in stark contrast to his first two outings against Salt Lake when he combined to toss 12.2 scoreless frames. Song was on his game right from the start, retiring the first six batters that he faced. Canadian Jeff Guiel led off the third inning with a double and Nathan Haynes drew a walk with two out to put runners at first and second, put Song got Barry Wesson to pop out to end that threat. With one out in the fourth inning Keith Johnson doubled and Gary Johnson drew a walk, but Song got Wil Nieves to line into a double play, the first of four double plays the Trappers would turn on the night. Julio Ramirez grounded into a twin-killing in the fifth frame, Adonis Harrison did likewise in the sixth and then lined into a double play in the ninth. Song faced only three batters over the minimum, walked three and struck out four en route to his seventh win the season for Edmonton. He finished the 2003 season with a 7-2 record and a 3.79 ERA in 13 starts with the Trappers. The nine-inning complete game shutout was only the second of the season by an Edmonton starter.

The Trappers picked up the only run they needed in the third inning. Designated hitter Jeff Bailey led off the frame by drawing a walk from former Trapper Steve Green (9-5). Bailey advanced on a ground out by Randy Knorr and Anthony Medrano followed with a walk to put runners at first and second. Peter Bergeron then grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing Bailey to advance to third. He scored on a throwing error by second baseman Jerome Alviso. Edmonton added an insurance run in the sixth inning. With one out in the frame Valentino Pascucci smashed his 29th double of the season into right field. Matt Cepicky struck out, but Bailey, who was playing in just the second Triple-A game of his career, came through with a base hit to left field, cashing in Pascucci with Edmonton's second run. Green, who defeated the Trappers only 10 days ago, allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits and five walks, while striking out five. The series sweep was the second of the season for the Trappers, who also tied a season-high with their fifth consecutive victory.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 35-38 on the road...magic number to clinch the division is two...have won five straight games, tying a season-high...was the second series sweep of the season...was the seventh shutout of the season for the club...are 13-14 in August...are 15-12 on the road since the All-Star break...lead the North Division by three games over the Portland Beavers and 3 ½ games over Salt Lake...Edmonton won the season series, 10-6...Edmonton leads the all-time series, 65-62.

RF Valentino Pascucci: Doubled and scored the second run in the sixth inning ...has 29 doubles and a career-high 126 hits...began the night with a league-leading .419 on-base percentage...has 99 walks, the second highest single-season total in Trapper history.

Alumni Report:

RHP Kyle Lohse (MIN) @ ANA: Earned the win as the Twins downed the Angels 6-1...allowed one run on five hits and five walks, while walking three in 6.2 innings...was 5-1 with a 3.83 ERA in August...stranded four runners in scoring position...is 11-10, 4.85.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 29, 2003


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