Trappers' Losing Streak Reaches Eight

August 14, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


The Tacoma Rainiers rallied from deficits of 4-1 and 5-4 to defeat the Edmonton Trappers 6-5 Wednesday night at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, handing the Trappers their eighth consecutive loss. The losing streak is the Trappers longest since they dropped eight straight contests from July 27 to August 4, 2001. The longest such streak in club history is 12 games, set during the 1993 season. The loss drops the Trappers into second place in the North Division, ½ game behind the Salt Lake Stingers. It is the first time the Trappers have not occupied first place since June 30. The Portland Beavers are in third place, 1½ games behind the Stingers. Edmonton is just 11-18 since the All-Star break. The Trappers have lost the last five one-run games they have been involved in, are 16-16 overall in one-run contests and are just 6-11 on the road. Overall the Trappers are 27-35 away from TELUS Field. Edmonton and Tacoma conclude this four-game series on Thursday afternoon at Cheney Stadium. The Trappers will return home on Friday night for a four-game series against Salt Lake.

Tacoma opened the scoring with a single run in the bottom of the first inning off Trapper starter Chuck Crumpton, who was transferred earlier in the day from Double-A Harrisburg. Crumpton was filling in for the scheduled starter, Seung Song, who has a tired shoulder and will likely make his next start on Monday against Salt Lake. With two out in the inning Crumpton walked Jeff Cirillo, J.R. Phillips and Mickey Lopez to load the bases for Andy Barkett, who also drew a free pass, forcing home Cirillo with the first run of the game. The Trappers tied the game in the second inning as Matt Cepicky drew a walk with one out and advanced to second on Randy Knorr's infield single. Jake Thrower loaded the bases with a base hit and Anthony Medrano cashed in Cepicky with a sacrifice fly. Edmonton plated two runs in the third inning to take the lead for the first time. Terrmel Sledge led off with a single and advanced to third on a double by Ryan Balfe. Cepicky then singled to center field, scoring both runners to give the Trappers a 3-1 advantage.

Edmonton's Luis Figueroa drew a walk to open the fifth inning, stole second with two out and scored on Balfe's second two-bagger of the game. Tacoma plated three runs in the sixth inning off Crumpton to tie the game at four. With one out Phillips singled and Lopez drew a walk. Barkett then dropped a base hit into right field to load the bases for Luis Figueroa, who doubled off reliever Tim Drew, scoring all three baserunners. Trapper center fielder Peter Bergeron opened the seventh inning with a single off reliever Ken Cloude (3-4). Luis Figueroa then singled, advancing Bergeron to third and Sledge followed with a sacrifice fly that plated Bergeron with the go-ahead run. With two out in the bottom of the seventh Cirillo doubled and Phillips walked. Vic Darensbourg (3-3) replaced Drew and yielded a single to Lopez that plated Cirillo with the tying run. With one down in the bottom of the eighth Figueroa drew a walk and Julio Mosquera was hit by a pitch. Julio Manon came on in relief of Darensbourg and walked Ruben Castillo to load the bases. Jamal Strong then bounced into a fielder's choice allowing Figueroa to score the winning run.

Highlights:

Trappers: Are 27-35 on the road...have lost eight games in a row, a new the season-high...are 11-18 since the break...are 16-16 in one-run games, but are just 6-11 on the road and have lost the last five one-run contests...are 3-4 in one-games against Tacoma...trail the North Division-leading Salt Lake Stingers by ½ game...the Portland Beavers are in third place, one game behind the Trappers...are 16-13 vs. the North...Edmonton leads the season series, 8-7...Tacoma leads the all-time series, 211-178.

C Randy Knorr: Was 1-for-4 with a walk to extend his hitting streak to five games...is 7-for-18 (.389) during the streak and is 17-for-42 (.405) in 12 games vs. Tacoma this season...veteran catcher has 999 hits in 1074 games in his minor league career.

Alumni Report:

LHP Johan Santana (MIN) vs. CLE: Pitched brilliantly, shutting the Indians out for 8.0 innings on four hits and one walk...struck out eight and lowered his ERA to 2.96, but the Twins lost 5-0 in 14 innings to fall to 61-59...threw 111 pitches, 73 for strikes.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 14, 2003


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