Trappers Edge Rainiers, Lead North by Two Games
Published on July 31, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Chuck Crumpton (1-1) allowed two runs on five hits and one walk in 6.1 innings as the Edmonton Trappers downed the Tacoma Rainiers 3-2 Wednesday night at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Crumpton started in place of T.J. Tucker and earned his first win as a Trapper in the process. It was the first start of the season for Crumpton, who earned four saves in his first 13 appearances with the Trappers after being transferred to the club from Double-A Harrisburg on June 13. Crumpton did make five starts with the Senators before his promotion to Edmonton. The Trappers have won the first two games in this series and have been victorious in six of their last seven road games. Wins by the second-place Portland Beavers and the third-place Salt Lake Stingers mean the Trappers continue to maintain a two-game lead in the North Division standings going into the last day of July. Edmonton and Tacoma will continue this four-game series with an afternoon affair at Cheney Stadium on Thursday. The Trappers will return home on Saturday night to begin a four-game series against the Oklahoma RedHawks.
The Rainiers got to Crumpton in the first inning for a single run. With one out in the frame Chad Meyers doubled to left field and advanced to third on a single by Andy Barkett. Designated hitter J.R. Phillips then reached on an infield single, scoring Meyers with the game's first run. Crumpton got out of the inning without any further damage and cruised through the next five innings. In fact, at one point the righty retired 10 consecutive batters. The Trappers struggled early on to mount a rally against Tacoma starter Chris Wright (0-3), who held Edmonton hitless for the first three innings. With one down in the fourth inning Terrmel Sledge doubled to center field. First baseman Ryan Balfe and right fielder Valentino Pascucci followed with back-to-back walks, loading the bases for designated hitter Matt Cepicky, who singled to right field, plating Sledge and Balfe. Wright uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Cepicky and Pascucci to advance to second and third base respectively. Randy Knorr and Jake Thrower then drew back-to-back walks, forcing Pascucci home with the Trappers third run.
Crumpton and the Trappers maintained a two-run advantage going into the bottom of the seventh inning. Barkett led off the frame with a walk, the only free pass that Crumpton would allow in the contest. Phillips followed with a single to right field to put runners at first and second. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position and spelled the end for Crumpton. Left-hander Vic Darensbourg, who made his Trapper debut on Wednesday night, replaced him. Chris Snelling drew a walk to load the bases and Luis Figueroa grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Barkett from third. Darensbourg got out of the inning without any further damage and shut the Rainiers out in the eighth inning as well. Tim Drew came on for the second consecutive night to record the save. He retired all three batters that he faced and struck out one. Wright took the loss despite allowing only two hits in 4.0 innings of work. He yielded three runs, five walks and struck out three.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 26-27 on the road...have won six of the last seven road games...lead the North Division by two games over the Portland Beavers and 2 ½ games over the Salt Lake Stingers...have a 17-13 record in July...are 15-9 vs. the North Division...26 of the final 34 games are against North Division teams...are 18-15 when playing American League affiliates...Edmonton leads the season series, 7-3...Tacoma leads the all-time series, 207-177.
DH Matt Cepicky: Had three hits, including his 17th double of the season...drove in two runs...has hit safely in his last three games, going 6-for-12 (.500) in that span...three hits tied a season-high for Cepicky...is fourth on the club with 48 RBI.
Alumni Report:
RHP David Weathers (NYM) vs. MIL: Closed the door on the Brewers with 2.0 perfect innings in relief of starter Al Leiter...struck out four of the six batters he faced to record his second save...has a 3.30 ERA this season...Mets snapped a four-game losing streak.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 31, 2003
- Express can't break through Mission pitching - Round Rock Express
- Sidewinders Break Redbirds Home Win Streak - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds Sweep Twinbill From Isotopes - Nashville Sounds
- Anderson Outduels Downs as Rainiers Slip Past Trappers - Edmonton Trappers
- Zephyrs Fall to Sky Sox, 8-5 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Zephyrs Blank Sox 7-0 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Former Zephyr Daryle Ward Scheduled to Play Against Zephyrs - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Zephyrs Shutout Sky Sox, 7-0 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Trappers Edge Rainiers, Lead North by Two Games - Edmonton Trappers
- Sounds' Spirits Dampened In 9-4 Loss - Nashville Sounds
- Beavers Slam River Cats - Portland Beavers
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