Trappers Drop Rare Pitchers Duel
Published on May 7, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Scott Winchester (1-2) tossed 6.0 shutout innings as the Las Vegas 51s downed the Edmonton Trappers 1-0 Tuesday night at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Amazingly it was only the 12th 1-0 game in the 21-year history of Cashman Field, which dates back to Las Vegas' first season in the Pacific Coast League in 1983. It was also the first time the Trappers, who entered the game with the second highest batting average in the PCL at .298, have been shutout this season. The 51s currently own the best record in the PCL at 23-9 and have a three game lead on the Sacramento River Cats in the South Division. Edmonton has lost four of the five games they have played against Las Vegas this season, but three of those losses have been by two runs or less and the other game was tied at one going into the seventh inning. The Trappers and 51s continue this four-game set on Wednesday night at Cashman Field. Edmonton's "Boys of Summer" will return to TELUS Field to begin an eight-game homestand on Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader against the Portland Beavers.
Cashman Field is regarded as one of the best hitters parks in the PCL, but you would have never known it on Tuesday night as Winchester and lard-luck loser Scott Downs (2-2) kept the hitters at bay most of the night. The 51s tallied once in the bottom of the first inning, the only run they would need all night. Winchester retired the Trappers in order in the first and Downs got the first batter, second baseman Joe Thurston, to ground out, but the next batter, third baseman Jason Romano, tripled to right center field. Las Vegas' right fielder, Bubba Crosby, who also entered the night with a league-leading .394 batting average, lofted a fly ball into left field that was deep enough to score Romano with the game's only run. It was a odd night at Cashman Field, but quite possibly the strangest note of all was the fact that Las Vegas managed to get only one runner past second pass in the entire game and he scored the game's only run.
Downs was terrific after allowing the triple to Romano in the first inning. He yielded a double to catcher Koyie Hill in the second inning and then retired 12 of the next 13 batters before surrendering a double to Romano in the sixth inning. Chin-Feng Chen led off the seventh inning with a walk, the only free pass Downs issued all night, but the 51s were unable to mount a rally against the left-hander. Bryan Hebson tossed a scoreless eighth inning in relief of Downs. Winchester retired 13 of the first 14 batters that he faced before getting into trouble in the fifth inning when Matt Cepicky singled and Anthony Medrano drew a two-out walk, but Downs ground out to end the inning. First baseman Edwards Guzman led off the seventh and ninth innings with singles, but the Trappers couldn't advance him past second base. Left-hander Steve Coyler tossed the final 1.2 innings for his seventh save of the season.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 11-7 in the last 18 games...are 6-11 on the road...were shutout for the first time in 2003...left eight runners on base...did not get an extra-base hit for the third time this season...allowed only one Las Vegas runner past second base...Las Vegas leads the season series, 4-1...Edmonton leads the All-Time series between the two clubs, 140-135.
LHP Scott Downs: Yielded only one run in 7.0 strong innings of work...allowed one run on four hits and one walk, while fanning five...lost for the first time since April 5...has allowed only five earned runs in his last five starts (31.0 IP; 1.45 ERA)...has not allowed a home run this season (32.2 IP; 134 total batters faced).
Alumni Report:
LHP Jarrod Washburn (ANA) vs. CLE: Left-hander allowed only one run on six hits and two walks, while fanning five in a complete game victory over the Indians...tossed only 104 pitches as the Angels won 6-1...game time was two hours and one minute.
LHP Johan Santana (MIN) @ TB: Allowed one run on one hit and a walk while fanning three in 2.0 innings of relief as the Twins downed the Devil Rays 7-3 behind 7.0 strong innings from starter Brad Radke...Santana has a 1.59 ERA so far this season.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 7, 2003
- Express Gobbled up in Wichita - Round Rock Express
- Royals Defeat Zephyrs, 10-4 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- D.A.R.E./G.R.E.A.T. Day A Success - Tucson Sidewinders
- Wednesday Rainout Means a Thirsty Thursday Doubleheader - Portland Beavers
- Mattes Placed on Seven-Day DL - Edmonton Trappers
- Today's Game In Nashville Postponed - Sacramento River Cats
- Patterson Leads Sidewinders To A 4-1 Victory - Tucson Sidewinders
- RedHawks/Salvation Army Food Drive Planned - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds, River Cats Rained Out - Nashville Sounds
- Beavers Fall Short Against Redhawks - Portland Beavers
- Trappers Drop Rare Pitchers Duel - Edmonton Trappers
- Tucson's New Pitcher Does It All - Tucson Sidewinders
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