Trappers Outlast Beavers in 12 Innings
July 5, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Left fielder Terrmel Sledge hit a two-run double to spark a five-run rally in the top of the 12th inning as the Edmonton Trappers went on to defeat the Portland Beavers 9-4 Friday night at PGE Park in Portland. The victory over the Beavers, which was Edmontons 13th win their last 19 games, gives the Trappers a 1 ½ game lead over second-place Portland in the North Division of the Pacific Coast League. The Trappers are now 4-2 in extra-innings affairs after playing what turned out to the longest game of the season in terms of innings played. Edmonton hadnt played an extra-inning since defeating the Fresno Grizzlies 5-4 in 10 innings on May 19. The Trappers have dominated Portland so far in 2003, winning four of the five games played between the divisional foes. Edmonton has been successful against Portland since the Beavers joined the league in 2001 and now owns a 24-13 record in the all-time series against the Beavers. The Trappers are now 18-23 on the road after beginning the season with seven losses in their first eight games away from TELUS Field. The Beavers and Trappers continue this three-game series on Saturday night at PGE Park.
The Trappers opened the scoring in the top of the second inning with a single run off Portland starter Carlton Loewer. The lead didnt last for long as Portland rallied for two runs of Edmonton starter Eric Knott in the bottom of the frame. Knott was coming off his best outing of the season, a complete game, four-hit shutout over the Tacoma Rainiers on June 29. He had also won three consecutive starts coming into Friday nights tilt, which proved to be another stellar outing for the lefty. He yielded only two runs on eight hits and one walk, while fanning three in 7.0 innings on the hill. Edmonton tied the game in the third inning and then took the lead in the fifth off Loewer. The middle infield tandem of second baseman Luis Figueroa and shortstop Anthony Medrano gave the Trappers a 4-2 advantage with back-to-back RBI singles in the inning.
Righty Chuck Crumpton took over for Knott in the eighth inning and shut the Beavers out for one frame before allowing a game-tying two-run home run to Jermaine Clark in the ninth. It was the fourth home run of the season for the center fielder and the first blown save of the season for Crumpton. Portland right-hander Jose Silva (1-5) came on in relief to open the 12th inning. The Trappers loaded the bases on a walk, a hit batsmen and a bunt single, setting the stage for Sledges game-winning double. Right fielder Valentino Pascucci followed with his second hit of the contest, a two-run single. Scott Sandusky followed with a run-scoring base hit to round out the five-run rally and give the Trappers the win. Lefty Anthony Ferrari (3-2) did a stellar job in relief of Crumpton, tossing 3.0 shutout innings. He allowed three hits and walked three en route to earning his third victory of the season.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 18-23 on the road are 4-2 in extra-inning games are 13-6 in the last 19 games are 11-6 vs. the North Division Fridays game was the ninth of 14 consecutive games against the North have 850 hits in 84 games, putting the club on pace for 1447 hits the club record is 1459 Edmonton leads the season series, 4-1 Edmonton leads the all-time series, 24-13.
LF Terrmel Sledge: Had the game-winning two-run double in the top of the 12th inning, his third hit of the contest also scored a run in the game was his fourth game of the season with three or more hits has hit safely in four consecutive games, going 8-for-17 (.471) in that time.
C Scott Sandusky: Capped the 12th inning rally with a run-scoring single was his fourth hit of the contest went 4-for-6 with a run scored and an RBI four-hit game was a season-high for the catcher, who entered the night batting .316.
Alumni Report:
DH Justin Morneau (MIN) vs. CLE: Canadian-born slugger hit his third home run of the season, a two-run shot off Jason Davis in the third inning as the Twins crushed the Indians 9-2 in a game that featured five ejections is batting .281 with 11 RBI.
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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 5, 2003
- Walk-off walk gives Express fourth straight - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Win 11-4, Take Over 1st Place - Nashville Sounds
- Sox Fall to First Place Royals - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Trappers Outlast Beavers in 12 Innings - Edmonton Trappers
- Sidewinders Fall in 10 Innings - Tucson Sidewinders
- Beavers Tie It in the Ninth, but Lose to Trappers in 12 - Portland Beavers
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