Trappers Open Series in Salt Lake with Dramatic Win
Published on August 24, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
With only eight games remaining in the 2003 season the Edmonton Trappers and Salt Lake Stingers are separated by just ½ game in the North Division standings after the Trappers downed the Stingers 4-3 Sunday night at Franklin Covey Field in Salt Lake City. Third baseman Ryan Balfe scored the winning run on a passed ball with the bases loaded and two out in the top of the ninth inning. For the Trappers it was the 13th final at-bat victory of the season and it snapped a three-game losing streak for the club. Edmonton had dropped 1 ½ games behind the first-place Stingers with an 8-6 loss on Saturday night, but now have an opportunity to take sole possession of the first place with a victory on Monday. The two clubs have met on 12 occasions this season with each side winning six games. Edmonton and Salt Lake continue this four-game series on Monday night at Franklin Covey Field. The Trappers will conclude the regular season with a four-game series against the Portland Beavers at TELUS Field over the Labour Day long weekend.
It didn't look good for the Trappers in the early going as Salt Lake plated two runs in the bottom of the second inning off Edmonton starter Britt Reames. Third baseman Keith Johnson led off the frame with a double to center field. Reames then walked catcher Tom Gregorio and yielded a single to shortstop Jerome Alviso that loaded the bases. Johnson scored on a throwing error by Trappers' third baseman Ryan Balfe. Julio Ramirez was safe on the play loading the bases for Nathan Haynes, who bounced into a fielder's choice allowing Gregorio to score the Stingers second run. The Trappers did not have many opportunities to score against Salt Lake starter Kevin Gregg, who entered the game with a 7-3 record, but they did make the most of them. Luis Figueroa singled to open the fourth inning and advanced to third when Terrmel Sledge doubled to right field. Luis Ortiz drew a walk to load the bases and Valentino Pascucci bounced into a fielder's choice, which allowed Figueroa to score. Balfe then grounded out, plating Sledge with the tying run and Matt Cepicky followed with an RBI-double that scored Pascucci with the go-ahead run.
The Stingers tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning as Alviso doubled to start the frame, moved to third on a single by Ramirez and then scored when Haynes grounded into a double play. Edmonton threatened in the seventh inning as catcher Randy Knorr drew a two-out walk and shortstop Anthony Medrano followed with a single to left field, but Gregg got Peter Bergeron to ground out to get out of the jam. The Stingers also had a runner in scoring position in the seventh, but reliever Chuck Crumpton (2-1) worked his way out of the inning without yielding the go-ahead run. The two clubs went to the ninth inning tied at three. With one down in the frame Balfe doubled to left field off reliever Elio Serrano (5-4). Bart Miadich replaced Serrano and got Cepicky to ground out, advancing Balfe to third. He then walked Knorr and Medrano to load the bases, setting the stage for Balfe to score the winning run. Julio Manon tossed a scoreless inning to record his 14th save of the season for the Trappers.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 31-38 on the road...have a 19-16 record in one-run games...won for only the seventh time on the road when the opponent scores the first run...won for the 13th time in their final at-bat...are 16-9 on Sunday's...are 11-12 on the road since the All-Star break...are 17-23 since the All-Star break...trail the North Division-leading Stingers by ½ game...are 22-18 vs. the North...the season series is tied, 6-6...Salt Lake leads the all-time series, 62-61.
RF Terrmel Sledge: Doubled and scored in the fourth inning...has hit safely in 11 consecutive games...was 2-for-4...is 18-for-44 (.409) during his 11-game streak...began the night tied for the league lead in runs scored with 87...has 83 RBI and 152 hits.
Alumni Report:
3B Eric Chavez (OAK) @ TOR: Went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a walk as the A's routed the Blue Jays 17-2...was on base for grand slams by Ramon Hernandez and Miguel Tejada, the first time in the 103-year history of the A 's that they hit two grand slams in the same game...also doubled, his 29th of the campaign...is batting .278...Oakland is 75-55...they set a season-high for runs.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 24, 2003
- River Cats extend home winning streak to 13 games - Sacramento River Cats
- Beavers 1.5 Game Out of First with Fourth Straight Win - Portland Beavers
- Tucson Drops Opener in Sacramento - Tucson Sidewinders
- Trappers Open Series in Salt Lake with Dramatic Win - Edmonton Trappers
- Sounds On Cusp Of Playoffs With 5-1 Win - Nashville Sounds
- Sox Pull Even With Albuquerque with 9th Inning Win - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Late runs seal Express' fate - Round Rock Express
- Trappers Held at Bay - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers Win Third in a Row - Portland Beavers
- Patterson and Tracy Lift Tucson to Win - Tucson Sidewinders
- River Cats extend home winning streak to 12 games - Sacramento River Cats
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