Trappers win thriller over Isotopes

May 15, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release


Shortstop Anthony Medrano singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring Brandon Watson from third base, giving the Edmonton Trappers a thrilling come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes Saturday night at TELUS Field. The win was the fourth in five games for the Trappers on this homestand and the second time they've been victorious in their last at-bat on the homestand. The club has won four games in their final at-bat this season and has come from behind to win 10 times. Edmonton has been terrific in home games this season, going 14-6 overall, including an 8-4 record at TELUS Field. The Trappers remain in second place in the North Division of the PCL, three games behind the first-place Tacoma Rainiers. Edmonton and Albuquerque continue this four-game series on Sunday afternoon at TELUS Field.

Right-hander Wilton Chavez entered the game having lost his last four starts for the Trappers, but he was magnificent on Saturday night, holding the Isotopes hitless through 6.0 innings. In fact the only baserunner to reach base in the first six innings was former Trapper of the Year Jason Wood, who reached on an error by second baseman Brian Harris in the second inning. Chavez has pitched well on several occasions this season despite the losing record, but has run into bad luck on more than one occasion. Saturday night was no exception as the no-hitter was broken up by a bloop double by Albuquerque second baseman Kevin Hooper to lead off the seventh inning. The ball dropped in between center fielder Brandon Watson, right fielder Ryan Church and Harris with all three players diving in an attempt to make the play. Hooper moved over to third base on a fly ball and Chavez hit the next batter, Mike Colangelo, with a pitch to put runners on the corners. With two down Wood reached on an error by third baseman Julius Matos, allowing Hooper to score Albuquerque's first run. Chris Aguila followed with a base hit that plated Colangelo and Matt Treanor homered down the left field line to cap the Isotopes five-run seventh. All five runs were unearned against Chavez, who allowed three hits and struck out a Trapper season-high eight batters.

Left-hander Matt Blank, who started the 2003 season with the Trappers, was almost as tough as Chavez on Saturday night. He kept the Trappers off the board through the first three innings, but Edmonton finally got to him in the fourth for a single run. Harris drew a walk to start the frame, moved to second on a walk to Medrano and advanced to third when Luis Lopez drew a free pass to load the bases. Ryan Church then delivered a sacrifice fly that scored Harris with the first run of the contest. Edmonton added another run in the sixth inning as Harris led off with a single, advanced to second on a walk to Medrano and later scored on a ground out by Lopez. The Trappers trailed 5-2 going into the bottom of the eighth inning but plated three runs in the frame off Ben Howard to tie the game. Medrano doubled with one out and scored on a base hit by Julius Matos. Lopez then drew a walk and Church belted a 2-0 offering from Howard into the gap in right-center field for triple, tying things up at five. Watson led off the ninth inning with a single to center field and Harris punched a base hit through the right side with one out to put runners on the corners for Medrano, who lofted a base over the drawn in outfield to give Edmonton the victory.



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 15, 2004


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