Soriano Shuts Down Sidewinders

May 26, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Rafael Soriano threw seven strong innings Monday afternoon helping Tacoma defeat Tucson 5-2 to claim three straight wins in the series. Soriano allowed just two singles through seven innings before leaving in the eighth. The Mariners top prospect allowed four hits, one run while striking out a season high 10.

Tacoma has won just four series this season but three of the four series have come against the Sidewinders. The Rainiers are 9-3 against Tucson in 2003.

Tacoma plated a run without a hit and three Tucson errors in the bottom of the first off spot starter Lee Marshall. Mickey Lopez reached with one out when second baseman Matt Kata booted a groundball. Lopez swiped second base and continued to third when Robby Hammock's throw went sailing into centerfield. Centerfielder Luis Terrero came up throwing to third and overshot Mike Bell. Lopez raced home to score.

The Rainiers added a run in the fifth to push the lead to 2-0. Lopez scored again from third on an error from Hammock when the catchers throw was low at second base on a steal attempt by Kenny Kelly. Lopez was able to score when Matt Kata failed to find the ball.

Tacoma pushed across three more runs in the seventh to increase the lead to 5-0.

The Sidewinders chased Soriano and broke up the shutout attempt in the eighth. Steve Neal and Tim Olson started the inning with singles before Soriano exited. Luis Terrero drove in Neal with a fielder's choice. The run broke a stretch of 12 consecutive innings without a Tucson run. Mike Bell added a sacrifice fly for the second Sidewinder tally later in the inning.

Tucson dropped to 22-27. The Sidewinders return home Tuesday night (6:30 p.m..) to host the Portland Beavers in the first of a four-game series and the first of an eight-game home stand. Chris Capuano (2-0 3.63) will start for the Sidewinders against Portland's Oliver Perez (2-1 1.88).



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 26, 2003


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