Defensive Woes Hurt Sidewinders In Loss

Published on May 27, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release

Tucson, AZ - The Sidewinders committed four errors accounting for five unearned runs in their 7-4 loss to Tacoma on Sunday night. The four errors tied a season high and snapped a five game winning streak for Tucson.

The defensive troubles started early for the Sidewinders. After a leadoff walk from Sidewinders LHP Evan MacLane in the top of the first, 1B Chris Carter dropped a pickoff attempt, allowing the runner to advance to 2nd. Tacoma RF Jeremy Reed then hit an RBI double to score the runner.

After MacLane picked off Reed at second, CF Adam Jones doubled to left field, and advanced to third on a balk. A wild pitch from MacLane brought Jones in to score, giving the Rainiers an early 2-0 lead.

Tucson tied the game in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single from CF Jeff Salazar and an RBI double from Carter.

The Sidewinders continued to struggle in the field in the top of the second. After Tacoma DH Jeff Clement led off the inning with his 7th homer of the year, 2B Gookie Dawkins and 3B Ronnie Prettyman hit back-to-back singles.

With runners on first and second, Rainiers SS Oswaldo Navarro laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Carter's throw to first was errant getting past the covering second baseman, allowing both runners to come around to score and Navarro to reach third. The Rainiers ended up with three runs in the inning.

They added one more in the fourth and another in the fifth to give them a 7-2 lead through five innings.

The Sidewinders scored two in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run homer from DH Dee Brown, but it was not enough as the Sidewinders dropped the game 7-4. The loss was their first since May 21st at Portland.

The Sidewinders will face Tacoma Monday night in the last game of their four game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM. RHP Dustin Nippert (0-1, 4.26) is scheduled to start for Tucson. Left-hander Brad Thomas (1-3, 6.52) will start for Tacoma. The game will air live on COOL 1450 beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Pacific Coast League Stories from May 27, 2007

• Defensive Woes Hurt Sidewinders In Loss - Tucson Sidewinders
• Albuquerque drops second straight - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Rivera Homers Twice, Gallardo Earns Seventh Victory - Nashville Sounds
• Catcher Hits Two Home Runs, Drives In Five Runs - Portland Beavers
• Colorado Springs Edges Sacramento, 5-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Victory For The Redbirds In Front Of 9,247 Fans At The Dell Diamond. - Round Rock Express
• Z's Lose In Omaha - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Round Rock One Home Game Away From 5 Million Mark - Round Rock Express
• Jars Of Clay, NashVegas Night, Birthday Bash On Tap Over Eight Games - Nashville Sounds
• Oklahoma Redhawks game notes - Oklahoma City Comets
• Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Barzilla's Home Dominance Continues - Round Rock Express
• Sky Sox Win in Walk-Off Fashion, 5-4 Over Sacramento - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Nashville tops Albuquerque, 6-4 - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Six Run Seventh Gives Sidewinders Fifth Straight Win - Tucson Sidewinders

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