Trappers Beaten by Brown
Published on August 10, 2002 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Kevin Brown (1-0) retired the first 11 batters that he faced and allowed only one run in six innings as the Las Vegas 51s downed the Edmonton Trappers 4-1 Friday night at TELUS Field. Brown was making his second injury rehabilitation start after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back on June 11. The loss was only the Trappers third in nine games on this homestand, but it was their fourth in five games to Las Vegas this season. Edmonton has not lost a season series to Las Vegas since 1989. The 51s improved their league-best road record to 39-21 with the victory, while Edmonton dropped to 36-18 at home with the loss. Edmonton failed to hit a home run in the game for only the 25th time this season, leaving them in a tie with the New York Yankees for the most home runs in all of professional baseball, 172. The South Division leading 51s and the North Division leading Trappers continue this four-game set on Saturday night at TELUS Field. If the playoffs were to begin today the two clubs would meet for the Pacific Conference Championship.
The 2001 Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player, Phil Hiatt, put the 51s on the board in the top of the second inning with a solo home run just to the left of the center field batter's eye. Hiatt was the only Las Vegas batter to reach base in the first three innings off Trappers starter Brad Thomas (5-9). With one out in the fourth designated hitter Chin-Feng Chen doubled down the right field line and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jolbert Cabrera. The 51s plated two more runs in the fifth off Thomas. Catcher Dave Ross led of the frame with a triple to left field. Center fielder Wilkin Ruin followed with an infield single, but Ross did not advance. With one out shortstop Chris Clapinski laced a double down the left field line, scoring Ross and Ruin to give Las Vegas a four-run lead.
Casey Blake broke up Brown's string of outs with an infield single in the fourth inning and Matthew LeCroy followed with a solid single up the middle, but the Trappers could not score in the fourth. They finally got to Brown in the fifth inning for a single run. Michael Restovich led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a single by Jay Canizaro and moved to third as David Lamb bounced into a double play. Catcher Brandon Marsters then lined a single up the middle to plate Restovich with the Trappers only run. Brown walked Michael Ryan to start the sixth inning and uncorked a wild pitch that allowed him to move to second, but Edmonton was unable to plate another run against the veteran. Restovich drew a walk to start the ninth and Lamb singled with one out to bring the tying run to the plate, but Las Vegas closer Jeff Williams fanned Marsters and Lew Ford to end the game and earn his 21st save.
Highlights:
Trappers: Entered the night with a nine-game lead over the Portland Beavers in the North Division of the PCL...are 36-18 at home...have hit 172 home runs in 118 games, putting the club on pace for 206 homers...the only team in professional baseball that has as many home runs as the Trappers is the New York Yankees who also have 172 dingers.
CF Lew Ford: Had the Trappers only extra-base hit of the night, a double in the eighth inning off reliever Victor Alvarez...has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games (17-for-52; .327).
LHP Brad Thomas: Charged with his ninth loss of the season (5-9)...yielded four runs on seven hits and one walk in eight innings of work...struck out six along the way...retired 10 of the first 11 batters that he faced.
RHP Kevin Brown (LV): Allowed one run on five hits and one walk in six innings of work...struck out four and threw one wild pitch...threw 86 pitches, 56 for strikes.
Alumni Report:
LHP J.C. Romero (MIN) @ BOS: Earned his eighth win of the season (8-1) as the Twins edged the Red Sox 5-4 to end a season-high four-game losing streak...tossed 2.2 scoreless innings...allowed only one hit and struck out two, lowering his ERA to 2.42.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 10, 2002
- 'The Brick' is outstanding - OSC Original by Ryan McGhee
- Trappers Beaten by Brown - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers Tack on Another - Portland Beavers
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