Trappers and Grizzlies Split Double Dip
July 12, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Pinch-hitter Jake Thrower plated third baseman Scott Hodges with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Edmonton Trappers a dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Fresno Grizzlies in the first game of a doubleheader Friday night at TELUS Field. The Grizzlies earned a split in the twinbill with an 8-2 victory in the second game. The comeback victory was the Trappers 23rd of the season and was their 11th win in their last at-bat. The first-place Trappers have been on a roll the last month, winning 17 of their last 27 games. Edmonton has played seven doubleheaders thus far in 2003, sweeping two and splitting the other five. Friday's twinbill was the club's first of four they will play in July. The doubleheader split combined with a loss by the second-place Portland Beavers in Tacoma on Friday night gives Edmonton a 1.0 game lead in the North Division. The Trappers and Grizzlies continue this five-game series on Saturday night at TELUS Field.
Ryan Jensen led off the top of the third inning in the first game with a single to center field. Jason Ellison reached on an infield single to put runners at first and second for Todd Linden, who laid down a sacrifice bunt that advanced both runners. Tony Torcato followed with his second double of the game, plating Jensen and Ellison with the first two runs of the game. Anthony Medrano led off the bottom of the frame with a double to right-center, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ron Chiavacci (3-1) and scored on a sacrifice fly by Peter Bergeron. With two out Luis Figueroa reached on an infield single. He scored on a double by Terrmel Sledge that tied the game at two. Fresno loaded the bases in the fifth inning on a single by Torcato, a walk to Cody Ransom and an infield single by Carlos Valderramma. Guillermo Rodriguez drew a walk with two out to force home Torcato with the go-ahead run. Fresno closer Manny Aybar (1-2) took over for Jensen in the seventh inning and allowed a leadoff single to Valentino Pascucci. Hodges followed with a double and Randy Knorr tied the game with a single to left, setting the stage for Thrower's game-winning sacrifice fly.
In the second game Torcato tripled with two out in the top of the first inning and scored on a single to left field by Francisco Santos. Bergeron and Thrower led off the bottom of the inning with back-to-back singles. Sledge grounded into a fielder's choice and Ryan Balfe was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Pascucci, who grounded out, scoring Thrower with the tying run. With one out in the top of the second Jay Pecci walked, Craig Kuzmic singled and Jimmy Anderson (1-0) walked to load the bases for Linden, who doubled to give Fresno a 3-1 lead. Ransom grounded out, plating Anderson with Fresno's fourth run and Torcato singled, scoring Linden to cap the inning for the Grizzlies. Medrano led off the bottom of the second with a single, advanced to third on an error by Ransom and scored when Kim grounded into a double play. Torcato finished off an incredible night with a bases loaded two-run single in the top of the seventh. He went 7-for-8 with two runs scored, two doubles, a triple and five RBI in the two games.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 27-19 at TELUS Field.have swept two doubleheaders and split five this season.are 17-10 in the last 27 games.are 21-22 vs. the South Division.have 937 hits in 92 games, putting the club on pace for 1456 hits.the club record is 1459.Edmonton leads the season series, 11-3.Edmonton leads the all-time series, 33-29.
RHP Ron Chiavacci: Earned his third consecutive win in the first game of the doubleheader.tied a Trapper season-high with nine strikeouts in the game.allowed three runs on 10 hits and four walks.was his first complete game of the season.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 12, 2003
- T.J. Tuckers Out Grizzlies - Edmonton Trappers
- Kent electrifies Dell Diamond, leads Express to win - Round Rock Express
- River Cats Nip Zephyrs, 3-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sidewinders Can't Figure Out Figueroa In 6-1 Nashville Win - Nashville Sounds
- Figueroa Beats Former Team - Tucson Sidewinders
- Matt Cepicky Recalled, Seung Song Placed on Temporary Inactive List - Edmonton Trappers
- Trappers and Grizzlies Split Double Dip - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers Shut Out by Rainiers - Portland Beavers
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