Bankston slams Sidewinders

Published on June 26, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Sacramento, CA - Wes Bankston hit a grand slam and singled in the go ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Sacramento Rivercats rallied for a 6-5 win over the Sidewinders on Thursday night.

The Sidewinders jumped out to an early 4-0 lead but couldn't hold on. Jamie D'Antona singled home Emilio Bonifacio in the first, and Bonifacio's RBI groundout and a two run home run by Alex Romero staked Tucson to the 4-0 edge. Evan MacLane, who allowed just one hit through the first three innings, battled a sudden bout of wildness in the fourth as he walked Brooks Conrad and Landon Powell and allowed a single to Casey Rogowski before Bankston clubbed a deep drive well over the wall in left for his second slam of the year.

Bankston's other grand slam also came against the Sidewinders in the 3rd inning of a game on May 23rd at Tucson Electric Park.

MacLane settled in again after the Bankston slam and retired eight of the final nine hitters he faced. He worked six innings allowing three hits and the four runs. He walked three and struck out five.

Tucson took a brief 5-4 lead in the top of the eighth on Jesus Merchan's RBI single to center field but the bullpen could not make the run stand up. Jailen Peguero walked Cliff Pennington to open the bottom of the eighth and after Gregorio Petit sacrificed Pennington to second, Conrad's single tied the game. A walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases and Bankston delivered again, this time with a broken bat single to left-center to put Sacramento on top 6-5.

Peguero was charged with his fourth blown save of the year as he allowed two runs on two hits and two walks.

Jerry Blevins earned his 10th save for Sacramento by quelling the Sidewinders threat in the ninth. With two on and one out, Blevins struck out Josh Whitesell and Matt Morgan to end the game.

The Sidewinders and Rivercats play game two of their series on Friday night at Raley Field. Right-hander Matt Torra (1-0, 2.77) starts for Tucson against right-hander Brad Knox (5-2, 4.64) for Sacramento. First pitch is at 7:05. The game will air live on COOL 1450 beginning at 6:55.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 26, 2008


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