Sky Sox Walk Away With Win

Published on August 28, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release

Colorado Springs, CO - Jon Herrera walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Colorado Springs Sky Sox a 5-4 win over the Sidewinders on Wednesday night.

Jayson Nix singled to open the ninth against Esmerling Vasquez and stole second base. After a walk to Christian Colonel, Humberto Cota laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Vasquez intentionally walked pinch hitter Adam Melhuse to load the bases and fell behind Herrera 3-0. After 2 straight fastballs for strikes, Vasquez missed high to force in Nix with the winning run.

Vasquez (3-6) struck out three and allowed three hits in 2.1 innings out of the Tucson bullpen. He had struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the eighth before the Sky Sox rally in the ninth.

The Sidewinders had a 2-0 lead through five thanks to a pair of RBI singles by Trent Oeltjen but Colorado Springs tied the game with two in the bottom of the fifth. Nix's double plated Matt Miller and Colonel's sacrifice fly scored Nix who had stolen third.

The Sox took the lead with two in the sixth against a tiring Juan Gutierrez. Jon Herrera singled and Ryan Spilborghs walked to set the table for Joe Koshansky. The Sox cleanup hitter singled to right to score Herrera and Justin Upton's throw to the plate sailed over Robby Hammock's head allowing Spilborghs to score.

Gutierrez allowed six hits and four runs in his six innings. He struck out two and walked two.

The Sidewinders took Gutierrez off the hook with a pair of runs in the seventh. With two outs and nobody on, Justin Upton singled and moved to second on Cory Sullivan's throwing error. Josh Whitesell walked and Jamie D'Antona singled to load the bases and Jesus Merchan lined a two run single to left-center to tie the game at 4.

Tucson did not have another baserunner after Merchan's single. Mark Redman retired Donnie Kelly on a line drive to right to end the seventh and Eddy Valdez earned the win by retiring the side in order in the eighth and ninth.

The Sidewinders and Sky Sox wrap up their series on Thursday night at Security Service Field. Right-hander Matt Torra (4-5, 4.66) starts for Tucson against right-hander Oscar Villareal (1-0, 3.38) for Colorado Springs. First pitch is at 5:05 Tucson time. The game will air live on COOL 1450 beginning at 4:55.

Pacific Coast League Stories from August 28, 2008

• Sidewinders play long ball in win - Tucson Sidewinders
• Sounds Drop Final Home Game, 4-3 - Nashville Sounds
• Z's drill three homers in win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Cubs crush Redbirds - Memphis Redbirds
• Angels Recall Wood, Option Bulger to Salt Lake - Salt Lake Bees
• Beavers, Padres Announce Two-Year Extension to Player Development Contract - Portland Beavers
• Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
• Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Tropical Storm Gustav Alters Sounds' Final Road Trip Schedule - Nashville Sounds
• KC Extends Working Agreement With Omaha - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Zephyrs Announce Tropical Storm Gustav Plans - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• RedHawks Cruz named PCL Most Valuable Player - PCL1
• Salt Lake River Cats' first-round opponent - Sacramento River Cats
• Bees Clinch Third Consecutive Pacific North Title - Salt Lake Bees
• Sky Sox Walk Away With Win - Tucson Sidewinders
• Salt Lake Clinches North Division Title - Portland Beavers
• Shaun Marcum couldn't quite keep up with Philip Humber's outing as the Rochester Red Wings edged the - Colorado Springs Sky Sox

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Tucson Sidewinders Stories

• Salt Lake Spoils Tucson's Season Finale
• Sidewinders Schedule Change
• Sidewinders Suspended Due To Rain
• Salt Lake Slips Past Tucson 3-2
• Nine Run First Powers Tucson Past Salt Lake