After two narrow wins by identical 7-6 scores Sunday, the Salt Lake Trappers buried the Idaho Falls Gems 11-4 Monday night.
With the victory, the Trappers increased their Southern Division lead in the Pioneer League to three games and upped their season record to 9-2.The Trappers had 15 hits, with Bobby Benjamin getting three of them and knocking in four runs. Benjamin had a two-run double in the Trappers' 7 run third inning. Eddie Ortega added a two-run single. Ortega had two hits and 3 RBI for the game.
Trapper pitchers had 18 strikeouts with starter Barry Parsiotti getting 9 in 5 innings. Rich Licursi had 7 in just 3 innings of work and Bob Ryan fanned to in closing out the game in the ninth.
Parsiotti was particularly effective early in the game, retiring the first 11 batters. Idaho Falls scored two runs in both the third and fourth innings.
The Trappers travel to Helena to begin a two-game series tonight. However, weather may force a change. Helena's last two games with the Butte Copper Kings were rained out. John Thoden is scheduled to be the starting pitcher for the Trappers.