Trappers Hold on to Edge Tucson
Published on July 26, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
The Edmonton Trappers overcame a terrific performance by 20-year-old right-hander Edgar Gonzalez (7-3) to defeat the Tucson Sidewinders 4-3 Friday night at TELUS Field. Gonzalez yielded two runs early on and then retired 17 consecutive batters before allowing two more runs in the bottom of the eighth. He has had some hard luck in his two starts against the Trappers in the last week. Gonzalez yielded only three runs in 7.0 innings on Sunday, but failed to get a decision in that game. On Friday night he allowed four runs, three earned, on just five hits and one walk, while fanning two, but was still charged with the loss. For the Trappers the victory runs their record in one-run games to 15-11, which includes a 10-3 record at home. The Trappers have won six of the last seven games played between the two clubs and are now 31-21 at TELUS Field. Edmonton and Tucson continue this six-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday night at TELUS Field. The first game will begin at 6:05 PM.
Tucson third baseman Chad Tracy opened the scoring in the game with a solo home run off Edmonton starter T.J. Tucker in the top of the second inning. It was the eighth longball of the season for Tracy. Edmonton gained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the frame. With one out third baseman Scott Hodges reached on an infield single and advanced to second on an errant throw by catcher Robby Hammock. Left fielder Matt Cepicky doubled down the right field line plating Hodges and catcher Randy Knorr followed with a base hit to right field that scored Cepicky. Gonzalez was unhittable over the next five innings. He retired 17 consecutive batters from the second inning through the seventh, but the Sidewinders still trailed 2-1 going into the bottom of the eighth. Tucker left after 4.1 innings. He allowed one run on four hits and three walks, while striking out four in his third start since being optioned to Edmonton.
Left-hander Anthony Ferrari (5-2) took over for Tucker in the top of the fifth inning with the bases loaded and two out. He got second baseman Mike Bell to ground out to end the threat and then went on to pitch 2.1 scoreless innings for the win. Edmonton finally broke Gonzalez' string of outs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Knorr led off with a single to center field. He was retired when Anthony Medrano bunted into a fielder's choice. First baseman Ryan Balfe drew a walk and Peter Bergeron reached on an error by Tracy to load the bases for Luis Figueroa, who singled to left, putting Edmonton ahead 3-1. Terrmel Sledge followed with a sacrifice fly that plated Balfe to give the Trappers a three-run lead. Blake Stein struck out Tracy to start the top of the ninth inning, but the next batter, Doug DeVore, reached second base on an error by Bergeron in center field and Brad Cresse followed with a two-out single to draw the Sidewinders to within two runs of the lead. Luis Terrero reached on an infield single and Danny Ramirez singled to left, scoring Cresse with Tucson's third run. Stein got Bell to pop up to end the game. It was his second save of the campaign.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 31-21 at TELUS Field.are 15-11 in one-run games, including a 10-3 record at home.have a 15-8 record in July.are 10-4 in the last 14 games and 25-13 in the last 38 games.are 29-25 vs. the South Division.Friday's game was the fourteenth of 19 consecutive games vs. the South.have 1037 hits in 103 games, putting the club on pace for 1430 hits.the club record is 1459.Edmonton leads the season series, 6-5.Tucson leads the all-time series, 158-139.
LHP Anthony Ferrari: Got the Trappers out of jam by coming in to retire Mike Bell with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning.pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits for the win.struck out two.victory was his fifth of the season.
Alumni Report:
RHP Claudio Vargas (MTL) vs. ATL: Allowed four runs on ten hits in 6.2 innings.struck out three and did not walk a batter as the Expos railed from an 8-2 deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the Braves 9-8 in 11 innings.has a 3.66 ERA.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 26, 2003
- Good Earns First Triple-A Win as Tucson Sweeps Doubleheader - Tucson Sidewinders
- Qualls continues hot streak, dispatches Diablos - Round Rock Express
- Brotherly love? Coolbaughs square off tonight - Round Rock Express
- Butler's 9th Inning Home Run Gives Sox 3-2 Win - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Beavers Blown out in Fresno - Portland Beavers
- River Cats Beat Iowa, 4-3 - Sacramento River Cats
- Trappers Hold on to Edge Tucson - Edmonton Trappers
- Missions power past Express - Round Rock Express
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.
