Sidewinders Drop Rain Shortened Series Finale In Tacoma

May 21, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tacoma, WA - Jeff Clement homered and Jon Nelson drove in two runs to lead the Tacoma Rainiers to a 4-3 eight inning win over the Sidewinders on Sunday afternoon at Cheney Stadium. The two teams split the series two games apiece.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Nelson hit a chopper to short that was fielded by Augie Ojeda who slipped on the wet infield dirt and fell. The umpires to decided to cover the field and after waiting for almost an hour decided to call the game.

Enrique Gonzalez worked deep into the game but was saddled with the loss. Gonzalez (2-4) went seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He walked two and did not record a strikeout.

Tacoma got to Gonzalez in the bottom of the first inning. With two on and two out, Nelson ripped a double to right-center to score Wladimir Balentien and Bryan Lahair and give the Rainiers a 2-0 lead.

The Sidewinders tied it at two on a RBI single from Danny Richar and a sacrifice fly from Jeff Salazar in the top of the third but the Rainiers re-claimed the lead on Clement's solo blast to right leading off in the bottom of the fourth.

Bryan LaHair's sacrifice fly in the fifth made it 4-2

Justin Lehr earned the win for Tacoma with seven strong innings. Lehr (5-0) allowed nine hits but just two runs and struck out three.

Tucson had a chance to tie in the top of the eighth inning but came up one run short. Alex Romero singled and Jeff Salazar walked to open the inning and with one out they advanced to second and third on a wild pitch by Jon Huber. A second wild pitch scored Romero and moved Salazar to third but Huber struck out Jamie D'Antona and got Brian Barden to ground out to end the inning.

Tucson missed a chance to win back to back series for the first time this year.

The Sidewinders travel to Portland tomorrow to open a four game series with the Portland Beavers. Right-hander D.J. Carrasco (2-3, 2.41) starts for Tucson against right-hander Tim Stauffer (1-1, 7.48) for Portland. First pitch is at 6:35. The game will air live on COOL 1450 beginning at 6:20. Monday's pre-game show features "Monday's with Murph", the weekly interview show hosted by Sidewinders relief pitcher Bill Murphy. Brian Barden is the scheduled guest.



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 21, 2007


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