Tacoma Makes a Strong Comeback
June 27, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Center fielder Jamal Strong's infield single in the top of the ninth inning scored Mickey Lopez with the winning run as the Tacoma Rainiers defeated the Edmonton Trappers 4-3 Friday night at TELUS Field. Strong, who was playing in only the second Triple-A game of his career and had gone 0-for-7 in his first seven at-bats, drove in the Rainiers second run of the game in the eighth inning, scored the tying run later in that frame and then knocked in the winning run in the ninth. It was a rare loss for the Trappers when they've held a lead late into a game. In fact it was only the fourth loss of the season for Edmonton when they have led after seven innings. The Rainiers pitching staff kept the best hitting team in check most of the night, limiting the Trappers to a season-low four hits. Edmonton began the night with a .302 batting average, tops in the PCL and 14 points higher than Colorado Springs, who had the second highest team batting average in the league. The Trappers and Rainiers continue this four-game set on Saturday at TELUS Field. Edmonton will retire Ron Kittle's jersey number 21 in a pre-game ceremony.
Edmonton got to Tacoma starter Brian Falkenborg for three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Peter Bergeron drew a walk to start the inning and moved to second on Luis Figueroa's ground out. Terrmel Sledge drew a walk to put runners at first and second and Luis Ortiz singled to load the bases. Valentino Pascucci then drew his team-leading 62nd walk of the season to force Bergeron home with the first run. Designated hitter Ryan Balfe, who was making his Trapper debut on Friday night, plated Sledge with a single to left field and Ortiz scored on a sacrifice fly by Scott Hodges to round out the scoring in the inning. Trapper starter Hansel Izquierdo faced the minimum number of batters through the first three innings, allowing only a single to Kenny Kelly in the second frame. Chad Meyers singled and stole second in the fourth, but the Rainiers failed to push him home. Lopez singled with two out in the fifth and stole second, but again the Rainiers couldn't find a way to break the shutout.
Tacoma finally got to Izquierdo in the sixth inning with a single run. Ruben Castillo drew a walk to start the inning and moved to third on a base hit by Meyers, who tried to stretch the single into a double and was tossed out at second by Sledge, the left fielder. J.R. Phillips delivered Castillo with a single into right-center to put the Rainiers on the board. Izquierdo left after the sixth inning with a 3-1 lead, but the bullpen was unable to hold onto it for him. Jose Colon took over in the seventh and got through that inning without allowing a run, but the Rainiers tied the contest with two runs in the eighth. Julio Mosquera doubled to start the inning and scored on a single by Strong. Strong stole second and Meyers popped out. Anthony Ferrari (1-2) then replaced Colon and walked the next three batters, one intentionally, forcing home Strong with the tying run. Lopez led off the top of the ninth inning with a single and moved to second on an infield hit by Mosquera. A sacrifice bunt by Castillo advanced both runners and set the stage for Strong's game-winning hit. Rainiers' closer Aaron Taylor retired the side in order in the ninth inning for his sixteenth save.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 21-16 at TELUS Field.was the second game of a stretch that will see them play 14 consecutive games within the division.are 6-4 against the North Division.had a season-low four hits.are 31-4 when leading after seven innings.lead the PCL with a .300 team batting average.have 778 hits in 77 games, putting the club on pace for 1445 hits.the club record is 1459.the club record for team batting average is .303.the season series is tied, 3-3.Tacoma leads the all-time series, 207-173.
RHP Hansel Izquierdo: Shutout the Rainiers for the first 5.0 innings and yielded just one run on five hits and one walk in his 6.0 innings on the hill.struck out four.is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA (20.0 IP - 6 ER) at TELUS Field this season.
Alumni Report:
RHP Matt Kinney (MIL) @ MIN: Tossed the first complete game of his career to help lead the Brewers past his former team, 13-1.allowed one run on eight hits and one walk, while fanning four.is 6-6 with a 4.26 ERA.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 27, 2003
- Gonzalez and Martin Lift 'Winders in Vegas - Tucson Sidewinders
- Tacoma Makes a Strong Comeback - Edmonton Trappers
- Zephyrs Rally to Defeat Isotopes - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Late runs ruin record night for Express - Round Rock Express
- Kevin Joseph Acquired from Memphis - Edmonton Trappers
- Astros Recall Matranga - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sox beat Oklahoma 5-3 to snap 5-game losing streak - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Tucson Wins Behind Gosling and Rehabbing Pitchers - Tucson Sidewinders
- Isotopes Steal First Game, 7-6 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Stingers Crush the Beavers - Portland Beavers
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