Sidewinders Score Seven In The Seventh, Top Oklahoma

Published on August 3, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Oklahoma City, OK - The Sidewinders scored seven times in the top of the seventh inning and beat the Oklahoma Redhawks 8-1 on Sunday night at Bricktown Ballpark.

With the game tied at one entering the seventh, Redhawks starter Brian Gordon quickly retired Donnie Kelly and Frank Curreri on ground balls. Gordon suddenly lost the strike zone however as he walked Jeff Salazar and Phil Avlas and gave up RBI singles to Tim Raines, Jr. and Josh Whitesell to put the Sidewinders ahead 3-1. Jesus Merchan's two run double to left chased Gordon from the game but Tucson continued to add on against Paul Komentani. Robby Hammock's single put runners at first and third and Wilkin Castillo's RBI single made it a 6-1 lead. Donnie Kelly followed with a base hit to score Hammock and John Mayberry's throw to third was wild allowing Castillo to score and cap the inning.

The Sidewinders sent 11 men to the plate and had eight straight reach base after there were two outs and nobody on.

Evan MacLane earned the win with seven stellar innings. MacLane (6-6) allowed just one run on six hits. He induced four double play balls, including a 4-6-3 twin killing against Drew Meyer, the final batter he faced.

Josh Whitesell went 4 for 5 with two RBI to extend his hitting streak to 11 and push his average to .328, his highest mark of the season. Over his last 30 games, Whitesell is batting .454 (50 x 110).

Jesus Merchan had three hits and two RBI and eight of Tucson's nine starters had at least one hit.

Brandon Medders and Jailen Peguero each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of MacLane.

The Sidewinders and Redhawks continue their series on Monday afternoon at Bricktown Ballpark. Right-hander Juan Gutierrez (3-10, 6.83) starts for Tucson against left-hander Michael Ballard (1-2, 9.82) for Oklahoma. First pitch is at 10:05 am Tucson time. The game will air LIVE on the internet at www.tucsonsidewinders.com beginning at 9:55.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 3, 2008


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