Trappers Winning Streak Get Bootchecked
Published on August 17, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Right-hander Chris Bootcheck (8-8) yielded only one run on six hits and two walks, while striking out four in 6.0 innings of work to lead the Salt Lake Stingers past the Edmonton Trappers 3-1 Sunday afternoon at TELUS Field. The loss ends a three-game winning streak for the first-place Trappers, who now lead the Stingers by only ½ game in the North Division. The Portland Beavers are in third place in the division, only two games behind the Trappers. The loss drops the Trappers record at home to 35-29, but the club is just 6-10 at TELUS Field since the All-Star break. Edmonton and Salt Lake conclude this four-game series on Monday night at TELUS Field. The Trappers will then begin a 10-game road trip on Tuesday night that will see them play five games in Portland and five games in Salt Lake before coming home to conclude the regular season with four contests against the Beavers over the Labour Day weekend.
Stingers' center fielder Nathan Haynes led off the game with a single to right-center field off Trapper starter Ron Chiavacci (4-5). He stole second and scored on a one-out single by first baseman Trent Durrington. Edmonton had numerous chances to score in the early going. Peter Bergeron led off the bottom of the first with a single and Terrmel Sledge drew a one-out walk, but Bootcheck was able to work his way out of the jam without allowing a run. Scott Hodges and Anthony Medrano had back-to-back singles with one out in the second inning, but Edmonton was unable to plate a run in that frame as well. The Trappers finally capitalized on their opportunities in the third inning, scoring a single run off Bootcheck. With one out Terrmel Sledge doubled off the wall in right field. Ryan Balfe drew a walk to put runners at first and second for Valentino Pascucci, who singled into right field, plating Sledge to tie the score at one. That was the last rally that Edmonton would mount on Sunday afternoon. Bootcheck retired eight consecutive batters after the Pascucci hit and yielded only one more hit in his final 3.0 innings on the hill. He is now 5-1 in his last eight starts and has not allowed more than three runs in any of those outings.
Salt Lake broke the tie in the fifth inning with a single run off Chiavacci. Keith Johnson singled to lead off the inning, but was erased when Jerome Alviso bounced into a fielder's choice. Alviso stole second and scored on a double that just eluded the grasp of Cepicky in left field. Salt Lake manufactured an insurance run in the eighth inning off reliever Jose Rodriguez. Julio Ramirez led off the frame with a base hit to right-center field. He then stole second and advanced to third when Trent Durrington struck out on a pitch that eluded catcher Scott Sandusky. Durrington was out at first base, but Ramirez was now at third with only one out. He scored on a ball-four pitch to Gary Johnson that turned into a wild pitch, giving the Stingers their third run. Brandon Emanuel who has spent most of the season in the Stingers starting rotation finished off the game for Bootcheck with 3.0 shutout innings. He yielded a single to Bergeron with one out in the seventh inning, but then retired the final eight Edmonton batters. It was the second save of the season for Emanuel.
Highlights:
Trappers: Are 35-29 at TELUS Field...managed only two hits after the third inning...are 6-10 at home since the All-Star break...three-game winning streak comes to an end...are 14-19 since the All-Star break...lead the second-place Stingers by ½ game...third-place Portland are two games back...are 19-14 vs. the North...have hit 29 home runs in 64 home games...are 19-18 in day games...are 15-9 on Sunday's, but have gone 0-4 since the break on that day of the week...the season series is tied, 5-5...Salt Lake leads the all-time series, 61-60.
RF Valentino Pascucci: Had two hits, including an RBI single in the third inning that drove home Terrmel Sledge with the Trappers only run of the game...began the day with a .426 on-base percentage...is 8-for-15 (.533) during a four-game hitting streak.
Alumni Report:
1B Matthew LeCroy (MIN) @ KC: Solo home run off Al Levine with one out in the eighth inning drew the Twins to within one run of the lead, but Kansas City held on for a 5-4 victory and now lead the Twins by three games in the AL Central...has 13 home runs.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2003
- Ninth inning collaspe leads to 13-8 loss - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Express power up again, down Wranglers - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Lose 4th In A Row; Division Lead At 4 1/2 Games - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Run by Cubs, 8-3 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Trappers Winning Streak Get Bootchecked - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers Lose Pitchers' Duel - Portland Beavers
- Beavers Hold on for 11-6 Win - Portland Beavers
- 'Topes let late lead slip away, 9-3 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Lose Third Straight, Lead Cut To 5 1/2 Games - Nashville Sounds
- Trappers Erase Five-Run Deficit, Win in Dramatic Fashion - Edmonton Trappers
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