Clifford Helps BayBears Walk Off with Seventh Straight Win
Published on May 29, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
MOBILE, Ala. - A dramatic night at Hank Aaron Stadium came to a climactic finish in the bottom of the ninth as Jacksonville native Pete Clifford singled with two outs to give the BayBears their seventh consecutive victory, 9-8 over the Jacksonville Suns on Friday night in front of 6,093 fans at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Jacksonville (23-26) closer Matt Peterson (1-1), who hadn't blown a save all season retired the first two men he faced in the ninth but walked Orlando Mercado to prolong the inning. Sean Coughlin singled, and James Skelton coaxed a walk to load the bases. After working the count to 2-2, Clifford lined a sinker into left-center that fell in front of Lorenzo Scott, allowing Mercado and Coughlin to score the tying and winning runs.
It was a back-and-forth battle until the sixth when the Suns smoked five runs on the scoreboard against Jeff Dietz in his BayBear debut which turned a 5-3 BayBear advantage into an 8-5 deficit.
Kyler Newby and Reid Mahon (2-0) tossed up zeros in the final three frames to keep the Suns right where they were, and the BayBears (29-20) chipped away with a two-out, two-run single by Coughlin in the seventh.
Cody Evans started for the BayBears and was solid in five innings as he surrendered three runs on six hits. For the BayBears, it's their first walk-off win of the year and just their second when trailing after eight innings.
The Mobile BayBears have produced nearly 100 players to the major leagues, and they play the finale of their series with the Suns on Saturday night at 7:05 with Barry Enright (3-3, 3.49) getting the start. For Hank Aaron Stadium tickets, call (251) 479-BEAR or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com.
Southern League Stories from May 29, 2009
- Jaxx shutout twice by Lookouts Friday night - Jackson Generals
- Starting Pitching Unable to Carry Smokies in Sweep - Knoxville Smokies
- Clifford Helps BayBears Walk Off with Seventh Straight Win - Mobile BayBears
- BayBears Extend Suns Losing Skid - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Mudcats Take Series in 8-3 Stroll - Montgomery Biscuits
- Stars Sweep Smokies For Second Straight Day - Huntsville Stars
- Mudcats Clinched a Series Win - Carolina Mudcats
- Papelbon Moved Off Disabled List - Knoxville Smokies
- Schlereth Promoted to Phoenix - Mobile BayBears
- Batter Up for Stewpot at Trustmark Park - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Announce Roster Moves Thursday - Knoxville Smokies
- Carolina Mudcats Transactions - Carolina Mudcats
- Holliman Rejoins Huntsville - Huntsville Stars
- Homestand Highlights - Chattanooga Lookouts
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