Stingers bid Trappers adieu with 17-run burst

Salt Lake's 17-3 win over Edmonton capped a not-so-successful era in franchise history.

The Trappers, who are relocating to Round Rock, Texas, next season have made their final visit to Franklin Covey Field. Though it probably had more to do with neither team being in the pennant race than anything else, no tears were shed.

Over the years, Edmonton has been a thorn in Salt Lake's side. The Trappers won the first game ever played at the stadium in 1994 and won the PCL title here in 2002. They are a perfect 3-0 (when including a 1984 series with the now-defunct Gulls) against Salt Lake in postseason play.

Though it pales in comparison, Friday's sendoff offered a bit of retribution. It gave the Stingers, who took three of four from the Trappers this week, their second series victory since the All-Star break.

While winning pitcher Scott Dunn (8-4) was throwing five scoreless innings, his teammate built a 9-0 advantage, Jake Thrower and Adam Riggs each hit two-run homers to power the early outburst. After former Stinger Rick Short put Edmonton on the board with an RBI double in the sixth, Salt Lake countered with a grand slam by Shane Halter to put the game even more out of reach.

NOTES: Salt Lake's homestand continues tonight at 7 against Las Vegas. Stingers RHP Steve Green (5-15, 8.27 ERA) and Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Hideo Nomo (1-1, 4.50 ERA), who is with the 51s on a rehab assignment, are the scheduled starters.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com