Sloppy fifth helps Grizzlies top Sidewinders, 7-3

Published on April 11, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tucson, AZ- Sidewinders starter LHP Neal Musser went just 1 2/3 innings before getting hit in the left knee by Fresno Grizzlies SS Tomas De La Rosa line drive. Musser would have to leave the game with a contusion, at which point interim manager Lorenzo Bundy handed the ball over to LHP Bill Murphy.

After striking out the only batter he faced in the top half of the 2nd, Murphy came up to bat with one out and two on in the bottom half. He hit a ball that carried over LF Todd Linden's head for double off of the wall, knocking in both runners and giving the Sidewinders an early lead.

In the bottom of the 4th, Murphy seemed to be doing it all as he reached on a fielding error by 2B Jed Hansen that also scored CF Jerry Gil. Murphy would move to second on a wild pitch and to third after 2B Alberto Callaspo was hit by a pitch and LF Scott Hairston walked. With the bases loaded, 1B Chris Carter blasted a ball deep to right but just barely foul. He would strike out on the next pitch, leaving the bases loaded and Tucson's run total at 3, where it would remain for the rest of the game.

Things unraveled for the Sidewinders in the 5th, when Grizzly RHP Alfredo Simon knocked a ground rule double to right. This was followed by two walks given up by Murphy to load the bases. RF Abraham Nunez hit a comebacker that ricocheted off the foot of Murphy. The lefty, trying to throw out the batter, committed an error that allowed three runs to score and Nunez to land on third. RHP Brian Bruney came in to pitch at this point, and allowed three consecutive hits, including a two-run home run to C Alfonzo Eliezer to put a seven spot on the board for the Grizzlies to make it 7-3, where it would remain as the final.

Murphy was charged with the loss, giving up 4 runs in 3 innings, striking out 3 and walking 2. Simon struck out 8 Sidewinders, walked only 1 batter and gave up 8 hits. He only went 4 1/3 innings, however, so the win went to RHP Jeff Miller, who went 2/3 innings, gave up 1 hit and struck out 2.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 11, 2006


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