Salt Lake City Runs Win Streak to 26 Games

The fireworks exploding over Derks Field and Salt Lake City Thursday night were part of a previously planned promotion by the Salt Lake City Trappers.

But they also helped signify the continuation of the Trappers’ remarkable winning streak.

An 11-4 victory over the Idaho Falls Braves Thursday night pushed The Streak to 26 games, one shy of baseball’s longest win streak ever.

The 1902 Corsicana Oilers of the Texas League and the 1921 Baltimore Orioles of the International League are the only teams ever to win 27 straight, a streak the Trappers can equal tonight.

Only three teams, in addition to the Trappers, reached 26.

They were the National League’s New York Giants in 1916, the North Atlantic League’s Peckskill team in 1946 and Stockton of the California League in 1947.

The Trappers are 27-3 and leading the South Division of the Pioneer League by 13 games. Only the Trappers, of the rookie league’s eight teams, are without major league affiliation.

All of the Salt Lake players are undrafted college products determined to sustain their careers and prove that the draft was riddled with mistakes.

The Streak has provided an unexpected stage, luring scouts and media and enhancing local fan interest.

A capacity crowd of 9,932 saw the Trappers trounce Atlanta’s Pioneer League affiliate with a 13-hit attack that included a three-run homer by Ed Citronelli of Southwest Louisiana and a two-run homer and RBI double by Matt Huff of Lamar University.

Said Huff later: “We look at the other teams and can’t help feeling we’re as good as all the affiliated players. I think we’re proving that now.”

Now the Trappers go after the Oilers, Orioles and a slice of history. Their off-Broadway stage suddenly has the look of Broadway itself.