Trappers and Cats Battle Long Into the Night
Published on July 5, 2002 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
The Edmonton Trappers and Sacramento River Cats made more than 14,000 fans at Raley Stadium in Sacramento wait a long time to see this year's Fourth of July fireworks. The Trappers and River Cats took four hours and fifty minutes to decide a winner on Thursday night as Edmonton eventually prevailed 8-7 in 12 innings. The longest game in Trapper history was a five hour and 17 minute contest that was played at TELUS Field on August 31, 1996. Edmonton holds onto their slim ½ game lead over the Tacoma Rainiers in the North Division of the Pacific Coast League with the victory and is now 3-4 in extra-inning games. The Trappers and River Cats will continue this four-game set on Friday night at Raley Stadium. They were only minutes away from concluding Thursday's game on Friday morning.
Sacramento opened the scoring in the marathon with a single run in the bottom of the first inning off Trappers' starter Brad Thomas. Esteban German singled with one out in the inning and later scored from third while Luis Lopez was caught stealing at second base. Edmonton took the lead with three runs in the fourth inning off River Cats' starter Bryce Florie. Michael Cuddyer led off the frame with a double and Todd Sears followed with a walk. Javier Valentin cashed in both runners with a double and later scored on a two-out base hit by David Lamb. Jay Canizaro led off the fifth inning with his fifth home run of the season to put the Trappers up 4-1. Michael Restovich doubled to start the sixth inning and scored on Valentin's second double of the game. Chad Green bounced into a fielder's choice later in the inning, scoring Valentin from third.
Edmonton looked to have complete control of the game heading to the bottom of the seventh inning, but the River Cats exploded for six runs in the frame to take the lead. Thomas retired the first two batters in the inning but then surrendered a base hit to Mike Colangelo and a walk to Jose Flores before being lifted and replaced by Grant Balfour. German drew a walk to load the bases for Larry Sutton, who cashed in all three runners with a triple. Lopez singled to score Sutton and Mario Valdez drew a walk. Carlos Pena then doubled down the right field line to plate both runners and put Sacramento up by a run, 7-6. Edmonton tied the game in the top of the eighth inning when Casey Blake singled and scored on two Sacramento errors. Sears led off the 12th inning with a single, moved to second when Restovich drew a walk, advanced to third on a fly ball by Valentin and scored on an infield single by Blake.
Highlights:
Trappers: Lead Tacoma by ½ game in the North Division of the PCL.are 21-28 on the road.are 3-4 in extra-inning games.are 4-12 in one-run games.have hit 129 home runs in 86 games, putting the club on pace for 212 homers.the only team in professional baseball that has more home runs than the Trappers is the New York Yankees.the Bronx Bombers have 131 homers.
C Javier Valentin: Doubled twice and drove in three runs.leads the club with 26 doubles.has seven doubles in his last five games and has driven in a run in each of the five contests.has 58 RBI in 2002.
RHP Kevin Frederick: Tossed a perfect 12th inning to record his 15th save of the season, tying the Trappers single-season record.
Alumni Report:
1B Jason Giambi (NYY) vs. CLE: Belted his 22nd home run, a three run shot off Jerrod Riggan in the eighth inning, as the Yankees blasted the Indians 7-1.had four RBI in the game and now has 69 on the season.is batting .316.
RHP Juan Rincon (MIN) @ SEA: Did not get a decision in the Twins' 2-1 loss to the Mariners.shut the M's out through five innings, but surrendered a triple to ex-Trapper Mark McLemore in the sixth inning.John Olerud followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one.allowed one run on five hits and two walks in 6.1 innings of work.struck out four and lowered ERA to 2.31.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 5, 2002
- Trapper Bats Pound Cats - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers Rally Not Enough as Memphis Gets 4-2 Win - Portland Beavers
- Hubbard's Contract Purchased by San Diego - Portland Beavers
- PCL July 4th Attendance Sky Rockets - PCL1
- Huge Crowd Turns Out for Express - Round Rock Express
- Trappers and Cats Battle Long Into the Night - Edmonton Trappers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
