Raines Homers Twice as Sidewinders Top 51's

Published on July 10, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Las Vegas, NV - Tim Raines, Jr. hit a pair of two run homers and Jesus Merchan and Donnie Kelly drove in two runs each as the Sidewinders beat the Las Vegas 51's 10-2 on Wednesday night.

Raines found himself in the middle of most of the Sidewinders rallies. He walked on four pitches to open the game, stole second and scored on Jamie D'Antona's double to right-center to give Tucson a 1-0 lead.

After Vegas had scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to claim a 2-1 edge, Raines drilled a two run homer over the wall in right giving the Sidewinders the lead back at 3-2. Tucson scored four more times in that inning as D'Antona and Josh Whitesell put together back to back singles and Jesus Merchan scored D'Antona with a single of his own. After a wild pitch advanced the runners, Donnie Kelly bounced a two run single through a drawn in infield and Phil Avlas doubled to left to score Kelly and increase the lead to 7-2.

A.J. Shappi started for Tucson and did not receive a decision. Shappi worked the front four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out four and walked one. Shappi gave the Sidewinders a chance by minimizing the damage in the fourth. With a run in, the bases loaded and no outs, Shappi struck out A.J. Ellis and Jon Meloan and got Jason Repko to fly out to right to end the inning. He led off the six run fifth with a base hit to right in front of Raines' two run homer.

Juan Gutierrez picked up his second win of the season with two shutout innings in just his second appearance since being activated from the disabled list. Gutierrez allowed one hit and had a strikeout. Five of the six outs he recorded came on groundballs and his fastball topped out at 95.

The Sidewinders provided the bullpen some insurance as Merchan drove home a run in the sixth and Raines clubbed his second two run homer after Gutierrez singled to open the seventh.

Brandon Medders and Reid Mahon finished the game with three shutout inning between them.

Phil Avlas went 4 for 5 with a RBI.

The Sidewinders and 51's wrap up their four game series on Thursday night at Cashman Field. Right-hander Billy Buckner (5-7, 4.27) starts for Tucson against right-hander Miguel Pinango (4-5, 5.62) for Las Vegas. 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 July 10, 2008


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