Sidewinders rally for much needed win

Published on April 14, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Fresno, CA - The Sidewinders rallied for six runs on seven hits in the eighth inning on their way to a 9-3 win over the Fresno Grizzlies on Monday afternoon at Chukchansi Park. The victory ends Tucson's 10 game losing streak.

Trailing 3-1 entering the eighth, Donnie Kelly and Matt Morgan doubled to open the inning. Josh Whitesell's RBI groundout brought Tucson to within a run and after a walk to Trot Nixon, Javier Brito broke out of a 1 for 23 slump with a double to center that scored the tying run. Jamie D'Antona followed with a base hit to put the Sidewinders ahead and Trent Oeltjen, Wilkin Castillo and Emilio Bonifacio added RBI hits to give the Sidewinders some insurance.

D'Antona finished 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and Whitesell went 2 for 5 with a pair of runs driven in.

Billy Buckner started for the Sidewinders and turned in his best outing of the year. Buckner went six innings and allowed just one run on four hits. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter.

The game featured some fireworks with three hit batsmen and warnings issued to both benches. D'Antona and Miguel Montero were each hit by Fresno starter Matt Palmer while Brett Harper was plunked by Buckner. Home plate umpire Delfin Colon issued warnings to both dugouts after Buckner threw behind Palmer in the fifth.

The Sidewinders will open a four game series with Sacramento tomorrow night at Raley Field. Right-hander Juan Gutierrez starts for Tucson against right-hander Brad Knox for Sacramento. First pitch is at 7:05. The game will air live on COOL 1450 beginning at 6:55.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 14, 2008


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