Sidewinders outlast Rainiers in 14

Published on August 18, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tacoma - Brian Barden's two out double down the right field line with the bases loaded in the top of the 14th inning gave the Sidewinders a 3-1 win over the Tacoma Rainiers on Thursday night at Cheney Stadium. The win drops the Sidewinders magic number to 12 to clinch the division.

With one out in the 14th, Tacoma reliever Emiliano Fruto walked Matt Erickson and Craig Counsell to put runners at first and second. Fruto was lifted in favor of Aaron Looper who induced a ground ball to third from Andy Green, but Hunter Brown misplayed the ball to load the bases. After Chris Carter lined out softly to short, Barden drove home Erickson and Counsell with a broken bat flare that fell on the right field line.

Randy Choate worked three scoreless innings for his third win in as many decisions since returning from the big leagues. Choate (6-0) worked around a leadoff single in the 12th, retired the side in order in the 13th and worked around a leadoff walk to nail down the victory in the 14th. Choate induced a double play grounder from Ismael Castro after the leadoff walk in the 14th.

The Sidewinders turned four double plays in the game, ending the 6th, 7th and 11th innings before the twin killing in the 14th.

Barden went 2-6 and was one of four Sidewinders with multi-hit nights. Green and Carter also had two hits and Jon Weber went 3-6.

Every available Sidewinders reliever pitched in the game as Tucson was forced into a bullpen night by yesterday's doubleheader. Jeff Bajenaru made his first professional start and allowed one run in three innings. Mike Schultz, Doug Slaten, Casey Daigle, Mike Koplove and Choate pitched shutout baseball over the final 11 innings.

Tacoma took a 1-0 lead in the third. With two outs and nobody on, Hunter Brown doubled and Oswaldo Navarro walked. Greg Dobbs then delivered a base hit to right-center for Tacoma's only run of the game. The Rainiers loaded the bases on a walk to T.J. Bohn but Bajenaru ended the inning by getting Jon Nelson on a fly ball to center.

Andy Green's solo home run leading off in the fifth tied the game at one. It was the first homer for Green on his rehab assignment after hitting 19 last year in his PCL MVP season for Tucson.

Craig Counsell went 0-6 in his first rehab appearance with the Sidewinders.

Tucson and Tacoma wrap up their five game series tomorrow night. Right-hander Edgar Gonzalez (2-7 4.09) start for the Sidewinders against right-hander Rich Dorman (5-5 4.66) for the Rainiers. First pitch is at 7:05. The game will air live on COOL 1450 beginning at 6:45.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 18, 2006


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