Sidewinders extend first place lead with another walk-off win, 5-4

Published on June 8, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tucson, AZ - The Sidewinders came back in the bottom of the ninth to win it 5-4 with a 2B Alberto Callaspo sacrifice fly. It is Tucson's second consecutive walk off victory and the team's fifth straight overall. The Sidewinders now sit atop the Pacific Southern Division by 2.5 games.

The visitors got it going early when leadoff hitter for the Bees, LF Reggie Willits, walked and moved to second on a CF Darin Erstad groundout. RHP Adam Bass threw a wild pitch allowing Willits to take third. Willits scored on a 2B Howie Kendrick single to left to give Salt Lake a quick 1-0 lead.

The Sidewinders took the lead in the fifth when DH Carlos Quentin led off the inning with a single and C Robby Hammock plated him with a two-run shot three batters later. Hammock's fourth homer on the year gave Tucson a 2-1 lead.

Salt Lake came roaring back in the sixth with three more runs. RF Nick Gorneault singled up the middle and was followed by a C Jeff Mathis ground rule double to left. 1B Mike Eylward was hit by a pitch to load the bases for DH Curtis Pride. Pride grounded into a double-play to plate Gorneault and tie the game at 2-2. Mathis scored on Bass's second wild pitch of the game, giving Salt lake a 3-2 lead. Willits then doubled to left, scoring Smith and giving the Bees a 4-2 lead. Salt Lake had the opportunity for more runs, but Willits tried to score on an Erstad single to left and was thrown out by LF Scott Hairston at the plate to end the inning.

Tucson got a run back in the sixth when Drew led off the inning with a walk and moved to third on a throwing error by RHP Duston Moseley on a pickoff attempt. He scored on a Carter groundout to second to bring the Sidewinders within one at 4-3.

The Sidewinders came back to tie it and eventually win in the ninth, however. Barden singled to left and was followed by a RF Kenny Perez single up the middle. Hammock then singled to third to load the bases. RHP Greg Jones, on to try and earn the save, threw a wild pitch to plate Barden and tie the game at 4-4. 2B Alberto Callaspo then hit a sac fly to center to score Perez and give Tucson a 5-4 win.

Sidewinders starter, Bass, went 5 2/3 and allowed four runs on eight hits and four walks. He picked up one strikeout. Salt lake starter, Moseley, worked 6 innings and allowed three earned, two earned, on four hits and three walks while fanning three.

Neither starter figured in the decision, however. RHP Tony Pena picked up the victory for the Sidewinders as he worked a perfect ninth. Jones got the loss for the Bees, allowing two runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning.

The series continues tomorrow during Military Appreciation Night at TEP. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. and can be heard live on Cool 1450.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 8, 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.

OurSports Central