Trappers Left Feeling Green with First Place Envy
Published on August 19, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Steve Green (8-4) allowed only one run on six hits and two walks, while fanning four in 6.1 innings to lead the Salt Lake Stingers past the Edmonton Trappers 9-3 Monday night at TELUS Field. The loss drops the Trappers ½ game behind the first-place Stingers in the race for the North Division pennant. After winning the first two games of this important four-game set Edmonton dropped the final two contests and are now 14-20 since the All-Star break. Green, who pitched for Edmonton in 2000, is one of only 10 Canadians to ever don a Trapper uniform. He has allowed only three runs in 11.1 innings against the Trappers this season. Amazingly, with 14 games remaining in the season, the four teams in the North Division are separated by only 5 ½ games. The Trappers will begin a 10-game road trip on Tuesday night that will see them play five games in Portland and five games in Salt Lake before coming home to conclude the regular season with four contests against the Beavers over the Labour Day weekend.
Nathan Haynes, the Stingers center fielder, got things started in the first inning with a leadoff triple off Seung Song (6-2). He scored the game's first run on a ground out by Barry Wesson. Trent Durrington followed with a single to center and advanced to second on a base hit by Gary Johnson. With two down Canadian Jeff Guiel doubled down the right field line, plating Durrington and Johnson to give the Stingers and early three-run lead. It went from bad to worse for Song in the second inning as the Stingers plated five runs to take a commanding eight-run lead. Catcher Tom Gregorio led off the frame with a home run to left field. Adonis Harrison reached on a bunt single and advanced when Jerome Alviso drew a walk. Haynes bounced into a fielder's choice, erasing Alviso at second and advancing Harrison to third. Wesson reached on an error by third baseman Ryan Balfe. Harrison scored on the play to give Salt Lake a five-run lead. Durrington then singled, plating Haynes and moving Wesson to third. Gary Johnson scored Wesson with a base hit to right field and Keith Johnson plated Durrington with a sacrifice fly to round out the scoring in the inning.
Edmonton got on the board in the bottom of the third inning with a single run off Green. Anthony Medrano was hit by a pitch to start the frame and advanced to second on a base hit by Peter Bergeron. Luis Figueroa grounded into a double play, but Terrmel Sledge followed with a double, scoring Medrano from third. Salt Lake plated a ninth and final run in the top of the eighth inning. Wesson led off with a single to center field off reliever Jose Rodriguez. Durrington then doubled down the left field to put runners at second and third. With one out Keith Johnson was intentionally walked to load the bases for Guiel, who hit a sacrifice fly into center field, plating Wesson from third. Bergeron led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a double off reliever Derrick Turnbow. With one out Sledge took Turnbow deep over the wall in the left field for his club-leading 18th home run of the season. Edmonton rounded out the scoring with another run in the ninth inning off Turnbow. Ryan Balfe singled to start the inning, but was erased when Matt Cepicky grounded into a fielder's choice. Cepicky advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single to left field by Medrano.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 35-30 at TELUS Field...are 6-11 at home since the All-Star break...overall are 14-20 since the All-Star break...trail the first-place Stingers by ½ game...are 19-15 vs. the North...have hit 30 home runs in 65 home games...bullpen allowed only one run in 7.2 innings of work...Salt Lake leads the season series, 6-5...Salt Lake leads the all-time series, 62-60.
LF Terrmel Sledge: Extended his hitting streak to five games with an RBI double in the third inning...also hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning...is 10-for-18 (.556) during the streak and is 14-for-26 (.538) with eight RBI in his last seven games...has 77 RBI.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 19, 2003
- Sounds Fall 16-2 To RedHawks In 6th Straight Loss - Nashville Sounds
- Beavers Release Kory De Haan - Portland Beavers
- Ballpark Tour Comes to Portland's PGE Park - Portland Beavers
- Astros Recall Lane - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Wilkinson Honored by League - Portland Beavers
- Sox Sweep, Share 1st Place Lead - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Redbirds' final 2003 homestand starts Tuesday - Memphis Redbirds
- Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short - Portland Beavers
- 'Topes Fall in Ninth Again - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Trappers Left Feeling Green with First Place Envy - Edmonton Trappers
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