Trappers Sweep Twin Bill from First Place Portland
Published on May 11, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Center fielder Peter Bergeron's infield single with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Matt Cepicky with the winning run as the Edmonton Trappers defeated the Portland Beavers 3-2 Sunday afternoon to sweep a doubleheader from the North Division leading Beavers. Edmonton won the first game 5-2 as left-hander Scott Downs (3-2) yielded two runs, one earned, in a complete game victory. It was the fourth twinbill of the season for the Trappers, who split the previous three. The win moves Edmonton into second place in the North Division, six games behind the Beavers. Sunday's doubleheader marked the first time that the two clubs had played each other this season and the first inter-divisional play for Edmonton. The Trappers improved their home record to 9-5 with the win. Edmonton and Portland continue this four-game set on Monday night at TELUS Field.
Downs and Portland starter Oliver Perez (1-1) kept the game scoreless through the first four innings. The two clubs had combined for only seven hits through the first four frames, but the scoreless string came to an end in the fifth inning with Portland getting on the board first. Donaldo Mendez reached second base on an error by Trapper third baseman Edwards Guzman and came in to score when left fielder Matt Cepicky dropped a fly ball off the bat of Yamid Haad. Edmonton plated four runs in the bottom of the inning off Perez, who hit Randy Knorr with a pitch to open the frame and then threw the ball away trying to get Downs at first on a sacrifice bunt attempt. With runners at second and third Luis Figueroa tied the game with a sacrifice fly and Anthony Medrano followed with a run-scoring double that plated Downs with Edmonton's second run of the game. With two down first baseman Joe Vitiello homered to left field to put the Trappers up by three runs. Edmonton tacked on another run in the sixth inning when Terrmel Sledge drove home Downs with a two-out single to left center. Portland rounded out the scoring in the seventh inning when Haad doubled with one out to score Mendez from second.
Portland opened the scoring in the second game with a single run in the first inning off Trapper starter Eric Knott. Second baseman Jake Thrower singled to start the inning and stole second. He advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a single by Tagg Bozied. The Beavers went up by two runs in the second inning when Alex Fernandez singled to center field, scoring Mendez, who had doubled to left center with one out. Cepicky cut the lead in half with a home run to left center off Portland starter Charles Nagy. That was the only run the Trappers could muster off the veteran, who went 4.1 innings in his third appearnce with the Beavers. Knott settled down after the second inning and shut Portland out for the next three innings. Reliever Bryan Hebson did the same for the next two frames and the Trappers tied the game with an unearned run off Portland closer Courtney Duncan in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch-hitter Luis Ortiz delivered the tying run with a single that scored Dionys Cesar from second.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 14-9 in the last 23 games.starting pitchers have not allowed a home run in the last nine games (50.2 IP).staff has yielded only 17 longballs all season, the lowest total in the PCL.split the first three doubleheaders they played this season.Edmonton leads the season series, 2-0.Edmonton leads the All-Time series between the two clubs, 22-12.
LHP Scott Downs: Tossed his first complete game since 1999 in the first game.allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits and one walk, while fanning two for his third win of the season.is 3-1, 1.42 (38.0 IP - 6 ER) in his last six starts, April 10-May 11.has walked only five batters in his last five starts.has not allowed a home run this season (39.1 IP; 172 TBF).
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 11, 2003
- Trappers Sweep Twin Bill from First Place Portland - Edmonton Trappers
- Zephyrs Pound Royals, 14-5 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Kim Pitches Tucson to Win in Vegas - Tucson Sidewinders
- Home run, seventh inning does in Express - Round Rock Express
- Royals Suffer Worst Loss of Season - Omaha Storm Chasers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
