Trappers Erase Five-Run Deficit, Win in Dramatic Fashion

August 17, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


Second baseman Jake Thrower lined a single up the middle with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning scoring Matt Cepicky from third base with the winning run as the Edmonton Trappers erased a 5-0 deficit and came back to down the Salt Lake Stingers 7-6 at TELUS Field Saturday night. The win gives the Trappers a 1 ½ game lead over the Stingers in the battle for first place in the North Division. It marked the first time all season that the club has come back to win after being down by more than four runs. Edmonton is now 5-3 in extra-inning affairs, while the Stingers drop to 5-7. The game marked the fifth consecutive one-run decision that Salt Lake has been involved in. After winning the first three one-run games the Stingers have now dropped back-to-back single-digit losses to Edmonton. The Trappers have won three straight games and have now won 12 games this season in the club's final at-bat. The Trappers and Stingers continue this four-game series with an afternoon tilt Sunday at TELUS Field.

Salt Lake opened the scoring in the second inning courtesy of a three-run home run by catcher Tom Gregorio. First baseman Wil Nieves led off the frame with a single to right-center. With one out Jerome Alviso singled up the middle to put runners at first and second for Gregorio, who launched his fourth home run of the campaign off the scoreboard in left field. The Stingers plated two more runs in the third inning. Gary Johnson singled to right with one down in the frame and advanced to second on a base hit by Nieves. Julio Ramirez then blooped a base hit down the right field line to load the bases for Alviso, who lined a Blake Stein pitch into center field, scoring Johnson and Nieves. Stein went just 3.0 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk, while fanning three. Edmonton rallied for three runs in the fifth inning off Salt Lake starter Billy Stokley. With two out and Peter Bergeron at first base Thrower smashed his third home run of the season over the wall in right field. Terrmel Sledge then singled to center and Luis Ortiz followed with a double to left center that plated Sledge with the Trappers third run. Stokley exited after 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits. He did not allow a walk and did not strikeout a batter.

Edmonton tied the game off reliever Scott Dunn in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cepicky reached on a broken-bat single with one out in the frame and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Anthony Medrano drew a two-out walk and Bergeron followed with a double down the left field line that plated both runners. The Stingers regained the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Trent Durrington drew a walk off reliever Anthony Ferrari and Johnson followed with a line-drive single to center, spelling the end for Ferrari, who was replaced by Tim Drew (4-8). A sacrifice bunt moved the runners over and Julio Ramirez followed with a base hit down the right field line, plating Durrington with the go-ahead run. Sledge tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with his 17th home run of the season. Cepicky reached on an error by Nieves in the bottom of the 10th and moved to second when Medrano drew a one-out walk. Bergeron then reached on an infield single and Thrower followed with his dramatic game-winning single.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 35-28 at TELUS Field...won for the 12th time in their final at-bat...are 5-3 in extra-inning games...have won three straight games after ending a season-high eight-game losing streak on Thursday...are 14-18 since the All-Star break...lead the second-place Stingers by 1 ½ games...are 19-13 vs. the North...are 18-16 in one-run games, including an 12-5 record at TELUS Field...Edmonton leads the season series, 5-4...the all-time series is tied, 60-60.

CF Peter Bergeron: Went 5-for-6 with one run scored, two doubles and two RBI...two-run double in the sixth inning tied the game at five...broke out of a 3-for-32 (.094) slump with the big game...was his second game with five or more hits...has 16 doubles.

Alumni Report:

RHP Kyle Lohse (MIN) @ KC: Won his fourth consecutive start as the Twins downed the Royals 14-5 to move within two games of the Central Division leaders...allowed five runs on six hits, including three home runs, in 7.0 innings...struck out four...is 10-9, 5.03.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2003


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.

OurSports Central