Trappers Lose Three of Four in Vegas
Published on May 10, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Mike Saipe (3-1) allowed two runs in 5.0 innings and helped his own cause with a double and two RBI as the Las Vegas 51s downed the Edmonton Trappers 4-2 Friday night at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. The 51s won three of the four games in this now completed series and lead the season series six games to two. All of those games have been played at Cashman Field. The Trappers have opened the season with one of the toughest schedules in the league. Edmonton has played 20 of its first 32 games against Las Vegas, Nashville and Sacramento, three of the four best teams in the PCL at the moment. Las Vegas currently has the best record in the league at 25-10. The Trapper pitching staff did not allow a home run to the 51s in the four-game set and have yielded only 17 longballs the entire season. The Trappers' road record drops to 7-13 with the loss. 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.
Las Vegas took an early lead with a single run in the bottom of the first inning off Trapper starter Britt Reames (1-4). Second baseman Joe Thurston doubled to open the frame and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jason Romano. Left fielder Bubba Crosby then followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Thurston with the first run of the contest. The 51s took a three-run lead in the fourth innings with two unearned runs off Reames. Catcher Koyie Hill started the inning with a single to right field. Eric Riggs then reached on an error by Trapper first baseman Luis Ortiz that allowed Hill to advanced to second. Riggs was later erased when Gookie Dawkins reached on a fielder's choice, but with two down Saipe delivered the key blow of the game, a two-run double to right field that scored Hill and Dawkins with the second and third Las Vegas runs.
The Trappers rallied with two runs in the top of the fifth inning to make a game of it, but that was all they could muster off the Las Vegas pitching staff, which entered the night with best ERA in the Pacific Coast League. With one out left fielder Matt Cepicky doubled to right center and moved to third on a single by shortstop Anthony Medrano. Cepicky scored and Medrano advanced to second on a wild pitch by Saipe. Luis Figueroa followed with a base hit that moved Medrano to third, but he was later erased trying to score on a wild pitch, which allowed Figueroa to move up a base. Reames helped his own cause with a double that scored Figueroa to close the gap to 3-2. Las Vegas plated the final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Romano led off with a single and advanced to third on a doubled by Crosby. Hill was intentionally walked to load the bases and Riggs drew a base on balls to force Romano home with the 51s fourth and final run. Bryan Corey tossed three shutout innings in relief of Saipe and Steve Coyler closed things out with a perfect ninth inning for his eighth save of the season.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 12-9 in the last 21 games...are 7-13 on the road...are 12-16 against the South Division...did not allow a home run in the series and have yielded only 17 longballs all season...have committed nine errors in eight games at Cashman Field...are 2-10 in Tucson and Las Vegas this season, but are 12-8 elsewhere...Las Vegas leads the season series, 6-2...Edmonton leads the All-Time series between the two clubs, 141-137.
LF Matt Cepicky: Was 1-for-4 with a run scored and a double extending his hitting streak to seven games...is 11-for-26 (.423) in that span...has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games, going 27-for-70 (.386) with two home runs and 13 RBI...has eight multi-hit games in that period.
Alumni Report:
LHP Johan Santana (MIN) vs. BOS: Tossed 5.0 shutout innings in a spot start for the injured Rick Reed as the Twins downed the Red Sox 5-0...walked one and struck out three, while lowering his ERA to 1.30...earned the win to up his record to 2-0 this season.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 10, 2003
- Tucson Drops Series Opener in Las Vegas - Tucson Sidewinders
- Fashion statement, late run helps Express win - Round Rock Express
- Q & A with Chris Burke - Round Rock Express
- Donaldson Transferred to Trappers Roster - Edmonton Trappers
- Zephyrs and Royals Rained Out - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Royals and Zephyrs Rained Out Saturday, Doubleheader Monday - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Score Run in 12th Inning to Defeat Royals, 8-7 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Beavers Take Series from RedHawks - Portland Beavers
- Trappers Lose Three of Four in Vegas - Edmonton Trappers
- Sidewinders Fall Just Short Of Second Consecutive Comeback Victory - Tucson Sidewinders
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