Sports stats



Santos starts fireworks show early with walk off homer to defeat Cubs, 7-6

May 21, 2006 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno first baseman Chad Santos hit a two-run walk off homer to cap a four-run 9th inning rally as the Grizzlies snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 7-6 victory over the Iowa Cubs Saturday night at Grizzlies Stadium.

Trailing 6-3 heading into the 9th inning, catcher Justin Knoedler lead off the inning with a double to left field. Yamid Haad followed with a pinch-hit single that scored Knoedler to cut the lead to 6-4.

After a Fred Lewis walk and Tomas De La Rosa's sacrifice bunt to move the runners over, Kevin Frandsen grounded out to second and drove in the second run of the inning. With Lewis on third and two outs, Santos came up and drove David Aardsma's 1-2 pitch into the right field parking lot for the victory. Santos trotted around the bases and was mobbed at home plate by his teammates for a victory celebration that led into the post-game fireworks show.

Aardsma (1-1) suffered the loss in his first game back to Grizzlies Stadium after pitching for the Grizzlies in 2004. Aardsma was traded along with Jerome Williams to the Cubs for LaTroy Hawkins and cash considerations on May 28, 2005.

Santos walk off homer capped his 3-5 night and ended the Grizzlies streak of 55 straight innings with no home runs at Grizzlies Stadium. De La Rosa and Frandsen also had two hits and one RBI each for Fresno.

Jack Taschner (1-1) picked up the win after pitching a scoreless 9th inning. Starter Matt Kinney was relieved after 3.2 innings, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks.

Iowa built a 6-3 lead thanks to two home runs by first baseman Micah Hoffpauir and a two-run homer by second baseman Mike Fontenot. Iowa starter Ryan O'Malley pitched effectively, giving up two runs over six innings and left the game with the lead.

The Grizzlies look to continue this momentum during the final game of their four-game series with the Cubs Sunday afternoon when RHP James Garcia takes the mound against LHP Les Walrond at 2:05 p.m.



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 21, 2006


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.

Other Recent Tucson Sidewinders Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central