Sidewinders come from behind to take series and game, 6-4

Published on May 1, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tucson, AZ - The Sidewinders came from behind to win their third straight game over the Sacramento Rivercats by a final of 6-4. The win cemented the squad's second series victory and improved their overall record to 12-12. RHP Edgar Gonzalez started for Tucson and put his team in a position to win by allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings. He struck out 4 batters.

The first run of the game came in the bottom of the 2nd. LF Scott Hairston, who came into the game batting .389 when leading off an inning, reached base on a walk. Two batters later he moved to third on a 1B Chris Carter double to right. With 3B Brian Barden at the plate, C Jeremy Brown allowed a passed ball scoring Hairston and giving Tucson an early 1-0 lead.

In the 3rd, SS Stephen Drew extended his hitting streak to a PCL long 13 games. Drew finished the night 1-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. The next batter was RF Carlos Quentin, who was hit by a pitch in his third straight game.

The Rivercats tied the game up in the 4th. 3B Scott McClain singled up the middle and moved to second on a ground out. Brown singled to right to move McClain to third, and then on a SS Mike Rouse ground out, McClain scored to make the score 1-1.

In the 5th inning, DH Matt Kiger led off with a double over the head of CF Chris Young. He moved to third on a LF Doug Clark fly out. With two outs, Barton and McClain reached on back-to-back walks to load up the bases. RHP Edgar Gonzalez threw a wild pitch to score Kiger. After another walk to re-load the bases, Gonzalez was able to get out of the inning and leave the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Sidewinders tied the game again on a solo shot by Hairston to left, but in the top of the 7th the Rivercats came right back with two more runs. Clark singled to shallow center and was followed by a 2B Kevin Ginter walk. Barton singled to left to load the bases. RHP Mike Koplove came in to pitch and gave up a single to McClain to score both runs of the inning, making the score 4-2.

Tucson took the lead for good in the bottom of the 8th after a four-run rally. RHP Marcus McBeth came in for the Rivercats and walked Drew to start things off. Quentin was hit by a pitch for the second time of the game to put runners on first and second. Two batters later Young walked to load the bases, at which point McBeth was pulled after only 1/3 inning of work in favor of RHP Santiago Casilla. Casilla was able to pop Carter out, but Barden knocked a double to left scoring two and tying the game. The recently activated 3B Donnie Sadler doubled to shallow right scoring Young and Barden, putting the score at 6-4.

RHP Casey Daigle came on to pitch a scoreless inning in the 9th, picking up his first save in the process. LHP Randy Choate picked up his second victory of the season for Tucson, working a perfect 8th, striking out 1 batter. Sacramento RHP Dan Meyer did not figure in the decision but pitched well, going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs, 1 earned, on 4 hits and a walk. The loss went to McBeth, who in 1/3 inning of work was charged with 3 earned runs and 2 walks.

The Sidewinders begin a road trip tomorrow in Fresno at 7:05 p.m. The action can be heard live on Cool 1450.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 1, 2006


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