Sidewinders fall in fourteen innings

Published on August 3, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


New Orleans - Anthony Medrano's single to right field off Casey Daigle in the 14th inning snapped a 6-6 deadlock and gave the New Orleans Zephyrs a 7-6 win over the Sidewinders on Thursday night at Zephyrs Field. The win drops Tucson to 70-41 on the season and trims their lead over Sacramento to 11 games in the Pacific Southern division.

Tucson had a 6-5 lead going to the bottom of the ninth inning but with one out, Larry Broadway homered to right field off Jeff Bajenaru to tie the game at six. The blown save was Bajenaru's fourth of the year. Broadaway's home run was his 14th.

Daigle took the loss to drop his record to 2-4. He did not record an out in the 14th as he walked Alberto Castillo to open the frame and gave up a single to Brandon Larson. Tim Raines sacrifice bunt attempt went to Brian Barden at third, but Barden's throw to Alberto Callaspo was off the mark which loaded the bases with nobody out. Medrano followed with the base hit to end the game.

Tucson committed seven errors in the game, a new season high. The previous high was three. Sidewinders starting pitcher Micah Owings committed two and Barden, Callaspo, Miguel Montero, Robby Hammock and Chris Carter had one apiece.

Danny Rueckel earned the win in relief for New Orleans. Rueckel (2-1) worked a scoreless top of the 14th allowing just a one out walk to pinch hitter Juan Brito. The Sidewinders had just three baserunners from the seventh through the 14th and none reached second base.

New Orleans had a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Chris Young launched his 19th home run of the year to tie the game at one. Young's home run total puts him second on the team to Scott Hairston and just outside the top five in the PCL.

The Sidewinders took the lead with three in the fifth as Hammock, Jon Weber and Carter all recorded RBI. Hammock tripled to the gap in right-center to score Montero and Weber doubled in Hammock. Carter walked with the bases loaded to force home another run.

After the Zephyrs had drawn to within one with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, Tucson scored two more in the top of the sixth. Callaspo's two run double to left-center plated Montero and Weber and stretched the lead to 6-3.

New Orleans got to within 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh. Mike Schultz exited the game with two on and one out. Doug Slaten took over and struck out Larry Broadway but walked Castillo and gave up a two run single to pinch hitter Brandon Larson.

Bajenaru and Jose Valverde each worked three innings in relief for Tucson. Valverde gave up just one hit and struck out six.

The Sidewinders and Zephyrs play game three of their series on Friday night at Zephyrs Field. Right-hander Dustin Nippert (12-5 5.05) is scheduled to start for Tucson against left-hander Billy Traber (7-7 4.05) for New Orleans. First pitch is at 5:00 Tucson time. The game will air on a tape delayed basis beginning at 6:00 on COOL 1450.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 3, 2006


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