Trappers and River Cats Split Again
May 31, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
The Sacramento River Cats scored three times in the top of the seventh inning to break a 5-5 tie en route to an 8-5 victory over the Edmonton Trappers in the second game of a doubleheader Monday afternoon at TELUS Field. The Trappers won the first game 2-1 behind the stellar pitching of right-hander Wilton Chavez (2-5), who yielded just one run on six hits and two walks, while fanning five in 5.0 innings of work. The two clubs also split two games on Sunday afternoon and each have six wins in the 12 games that they have played so far this season. Edmonton has been unbeatable in one-run games at TELUS Field this season, compiling a stellar 6-0 record thus far. The Trappers now hit the road for an eight-game road trip, which starts on Tuesday night in Las Vegas against the 51s.
The first game turned into a pitcher's duel between Chavez and Sacramento's Mike Wood (7-3), who entered the game with a league-low 2.29 ERA. The River Cats were the first club to threaten, loading the bases in the second inning with only one out, but Chavez got shortstop Mike Rouse to pop up and then struck out left fielder Steve Stanley to get out of the jam. Edmonton took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Catcher Paul Hoover drew a walk to lead off the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a throwing error by Wood. He scored later in the inning when first baseman Valentino Pascucci drew a bases loaded walk. The Trappers added another run in the fourth inning when Hoover doubled with two out and scored on a single by Brandon Watson. Sacramento loaded the bases in the sixth inning and scored a run when reliever Pedro Borbon hit pinch-hitter Ramon Castro with a pitch, forcing Nick Swisher home. Roy Corcoran then came on and struck out Mike Rivera before getting Esteban German to ground into a double play. Corcoran retired the side in order in the seventh inning to record his first save of the season.
Sacramento opened the scoring in the second game when Swisher homered with one out and no one on in the second inning. Edmonton came right back with two runs in the bottom of the inning off River Cats starter Joe Blanton. Pascucci drew a walk to open the frame and moved to third on a double by Ryan Church. Julius Matos then grounded out, plating Pascucci and Scott Hodges added a sacrifice fly that scored Church to give the Trappers the lead. Edmonton tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning off Blanton. Second baseman Brian Harris tripled to center field with one out and scored on a single by Ron Calloway, who stole second, advanced to third on an error by Rivera, the Sacramento catcher, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Church. With two out in the top of the sixth inning the River Cats plated four runs off Scott Downs to take a 5-4 lead. Graham Koonce doubled home German for Sacramento's second run, Dan Johnson plated Koonce with a single and Matt Watson gave the River Cats the lead with a two-run double. Edmonton tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out double by Peter Bergeron, but an RBI double by German and a two-run home run by Castro off reliever Pat Mahomes (4-4) in the seventh inning gave the River Cats the win.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 31, 2004
- Trappers and River Cats Split Again - Edmonton Trappers
- Sounds Edge Sky Sox On 'Wild' Ending - Nashville Sounds
- Rick Bell, Denny Stark Win PCL Player of the Week Honors - PCL1
- Sox Win Second Straight - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Knorr placed on disabled list - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers win in 12-7 shootout - Portland Beavers
- Despite Season High 19 Hits, Sidewinders Fall to Beavers - Tucson Sidewinders
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.
