Sidewinders Survive In Sacramento

Published on June 29, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Sacramento, CA - An errant pick-off attempt and a 9th inning two run home run by Jamie D'Antona gave the Sidewinders just enough to hold off the Sacramento Rivercats 8-6 on Saturday night. The win is Tucson's first at Raley Field this season.

With the score tied at five in the eighth and runners at first and third with two outs, Sacramento reliever Brad Kilby tried to pickoff Wilkin Castillo at first base and threw the ball past Casey Rogowski allowing Josh Whitesell to score the go ahead run. D'Antona gave Tucson some valuable insurance with a two run homer to right-center in the ninth.

Emiliano Fruto earned his second save by holding Sacramento at bay in the bottom of the ninth. Fruto allowed a one out home run by Landon Powell to cut the Tucson advantage to 8-6 and loaded the bases with a two out single, a walk and a wild pitch on a swinging third strike but got Cliff Pennington to fly out to center to end the game.

The Sidewinders grabbed an early 5-0 lead with a five run top of the third. Alex Romero had a RBI groundout and Tim Raines, Jr. had a RBI single before Jesus Merchan ripped a 3-2 pitch to the left-center field gap with the bases loaded for a three run triple.

Esmerling Vasquez cruised through the first five innings, allowing just two runs on two hits, but ran into trouble in the sixth. Vasquez walked the bases loaded and the Rivercats scored all three walks on a pair of RBI groundouts and a wild pitch to tie the game at five.

Dustin Glant earned his first win of the season with two shutout innings in relief of Vasquez.

The Sidewinders and Rivercats wrap up their four game series on Sunday afternoon at Raley Field. Right-hander A.J. Shappi (0-1, 4.91) starts for Tucson against left-hander Gio Gonzalez (3-6, 5.51) for Sacramento. First pitch is at 1:05. The game will air LIVE on COOL 1450 beginning at 12:55.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2008


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