Trappers Ride Kim's Stellar Outing Back into First Place
August 16, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Sun Woo Kim (8-7) allowed just one run on three hits and two walks while striking out four in 8.0 superb innings as the Edmonton Trappers defeated the Salt Lake Stingers 3-2 Friday night at TELUS Field. The win vaults the Trappers back into first place in the North Division, ½ game ahead of the Stingers. It was the second consecutive win for the Trappers, who ended a season-high eight-game losing streak on Thursday afternoon in Tacoma. Kim has had an up and down season and has struggled since his last demotion from the Montreal Expos on July 10. Before Friday night he was 2-3 with a 6.96 ERA in six starts after being sent back to Edmonton. Kim has been effective at TELUS Field this season and is now 5-3 with a 3.45 ERA at home. The win improves the Trappers record in one-run games to 17-16. Catcher Randy Knorr reached a milestone on Friday night recording his 1000th minor league hit with a single in the sixth inning. The Trappers and Stingers continue this four-game series on Saturday night at TELUS Field.
The Trappers broke the scoreless tie with a single run in the fourth inning. Left fielder Matt Cepicky opened the frame with a double that just eluded the diving Barry Wesson in right field. Cepicky advanced to third on a ground out by Luis Ortiz and Valentino Pascucci followed with his second walk of the game to put runners on the corners. First baseman Ryan Balfe then looped a line drive into center field. Nathan Haynes made a fantastic diving catch on the play, but Cepicky was able to score on the play, putting the Trappers in the lead. They added another run in the fifth inning as Anthony Medrano reached on an infield single, advanced on Peter Bergeron's sacrifice bunt and scored on Cepicky's two-out single. Wesson cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth inning with a line drive, solo home run that barely cleared the fence in left field. Kim was outstanding right from the start, retiring the first 11 batters he faced before walking Trent Durrington with two out in the fourth. Wil Nieves picked up the Stingers first hit to lead off the fifth inning.
Edmonton threatened again in the bottom of the sixth inning as Balfe led off with a walk and moved to third on Knorr's milestone hit. Medrano then drew a walk off Salt Lake starter Matt Hensley (7-11) to load the bases. Mark Lukasiewicz replaced Hensley and struck out the first batter he faced, Bergeron. He then got Jake Thrower to fly out to end the threat. Cepicky continued a stellar night with a leadoff double in the seventh inning. He stole third and scored on Valentino Pascucci's one-out double off the wall in center field. Kim yielded his third hit, a single up the middle by shortstop Jerome Alviso in the bottom of the eighth, but easily got out of that jam. He turned the ball over to closer Julio Manon in the ninth inning. Manon recorded his 13th save, but not before the Stingers made it interesting. With two out in the frame Nieves doubled off the wall in left field. Jeff Guiel then blooped a double into left field, plating Nieves to draw the Stingers to within one run of the lead. Julio Ramirez reached on an error by third baseman Scott Hodges to put runners on the corners for Adonis Harrison, who popped up to end the game.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 34-28 at TELUS Field...have won two straight games after ending a season-high eight-game losing streak on Thursday...are 13-18 since the break...lead the second-place Stingers by ½ game...are 18-13 vs. the North...are 17-16 in one-run games, including an 11-5 record at TELUS Field...the season series is tied, 4-4...Salt Lake leads the all-time series, 60-59.
LF Matt Cepicky: Had three hits, including two doubles...scored two runs and drove in one...has hit safely in five consecutive games, going 8-for-18 (.444) in that span...has scored five runs during the streak...has 21 doubles and 56 RBI on the season.
Alumni Report:
RF Matt Stairs (PIT) vs. MIL: Smashed a three-run home run off reliever Mike Dejean with two out in the seventh inning to help lead the Pirates past the Brewers 6-3...was his 15th home runs of the season...is batting .302 with 39 RBI...Pirates are 56-64. www.trappersbaseball.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 16, 2003
- Vance Blanks Redbirds - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Power surge: Express homer their way to win - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs Win Two from Cubs - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Shaun Groves To Perform Concert For Full House On Friday - Nashville Sounds
- Ryan brings the heat to The Dell Diamond - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Drop Series Opener To Rainiers - Nashville Sounds
- Beavers Drop Series Opener at Las Vegas - Portland Beavers
- Trappers Ride Kim's Stellar Outing Back into First Place - Edmonton Trappers
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