Johnson Starts for Tucson, Sidewinders Lose in 11

July 6, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tucson collected 17 hits Saturday night and received four perfect innings from a rehabbing Randy Johnson yet lost 5-4 to Fresno in 11 innings.

Tucson played its fourth consecutive extra inning game. The Sidewinders played ten-inning games on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday winning two of the games and losing the other.

Todd Linden started the 11th inning with a single off Brian Bruney. Linden swiped second and Jeff Waldron's throw went into centerfield when no one covered second. When Linden popped up to go to third Luis Terrero's throw went into the Tucson dugout allowing the runner to score the game winning run.

Johnson threw four perfect innings while striking out four Fresno batters. Johnson threw 42 pitches, 29 for strikes in his first outing since April 27 at New York.

The "Big Unit" threw 19 pitches in the first inning, but needed just eight in the second inning, three pitches to get three outs in the third and 12 pitches to finish off the fourth.

Luis Terrero led off the game with a home run to the bleachers in left field off Brian Powell. The Sidewinders collected another seven hits over the first five innings before Fresno had a baserunner but failed to extend the 1-0 lead.

Paul Abbott replaced Johnson in the fifth inning and was touched up for three runs on four hits and one costly error. With runners at first and second and one out Craig Kuzmic singled to right. Doug Devore overran the baseball and both runners and Kuzmic scored for a 3-1 lead.

Tucson regained the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth. Steve Neal produced a run scoring single. Jeff Waldron drilled a two-run double for a 4-3 Tucson advantage.

Clay Bellinger launched a long solo home run in the bottom of the sixth off Paul Abbott to tie the game at 4.

The Sidewinders improved to 44-43. Tucson and Fresno will play the final game of the three game series Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. Mike Gosling (7-7 5.60) will make the mound for the Sidewinders against Fresno's Ryan Jensen (1-6 4.82).



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 6, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central