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Last night’s game between the Sidewinders and visiting Round Rock Express had an eerily familiar - and unpleasant - feel to it as the teams continued the trend begun in the nightcap of the double-header…Tucson couldn’t get a hit to save their souls! Tucson went into the seventh inning AGAIN before getting their first hit of the evening last night off very impressive Express starter, Juan Gutierrez. In his first six innings, Gutierrez allowed one walk (and a wild pitch that advanced our runner to second)…and nothing more. He had the Winders in knots! But then came the seventh and he literally collapsed before our (very thankful) eyes! After Alex Romero grounded out, Carlos Quentin hit a solid double and then scored on an RBI single by Chris Carter. Robby Hammock walked…Jeff Salazar walked…Mark Johnson walked in the go-ahead run - and loaded the bases! Unfortunately, Brian Barden was so anxious to do something amazing that he swung at the very first pitch and grounded out to end the inning. But the Winders were ahead! Randy Choate tossed a perfect eighth for the Winders and the boys were back in business at the plate. Round Rock’s bullpen couldn’t reverse the damage or hold the Snakes back any longer: Matt Erickson (part of a double-switch) hit a single and then walked to second on a balk, Alberto Callaspo took a walk to first, and then Alex hit a bunt that got him to first and Berto to second, but put Matt out at third. A wild pitch advanced the runners while Q was at the plate…after that the Express decided to intentionally walk Q. So, bases loaded! And CC hits a sacrifice fly to score Berto! Next up: Robby. He took a walk to again load the bases. Up strides Jeff Salazar…and the Express decides to try their luck with another pitcher. Nice thought, but it sure didn’t work for them - Jeff hit a whopper of a triple that scored three runs! Rich Thompson then came in to pinch hit for Randy - and struck out. What an inning! Jailen Peguero pitched a perfect ninth - besting Randy in one respect: Randy only struck out one…Jailen struck out two! The game came off like two separate games: one dominated by pitching (especially by Round Rock), and one in which the Winders were (finally) alive and hitting. Tucson beat the Express, 6 to 1!!
I should mention our starting pitcher…Casey Daigle. Casey has a frightening habit of getting knocked around in the first inning. In fact, after getting two Express batters to line out to start the game, Casey gave up a home run to Brooks Conrad. That was the only run of the entire game until the excitement I detailed above, but first there was the homer and my gut feeling of ”Oh no! Here we go again.” After that, however, Casey settled down and really duelled with Gutierrez. In seven innings, Casey allowed only the one run on three hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. And he earned the win; his ninth of the season. Amazingly (given his troubles as a reliever), Casey is 5 and 0 since being converted back to a starter. It’s getting so I am actually happy to see him on the mound. (Well, that might be going overboard! For now let’s just say I’m a somewhat less nervous!) He’s looking like our starting “ace!”
Is this beautiful or what? Not only did Tucson WIN, but our rivals in the Pacific Southern Division finally both LOST!! Tucson improved their record to 56 and 50 (.528) (while I have typed and retyped the correct number, the computer keeps making that a smiley face…the numbers are POINT FIVE TWO EIGHT!) and are five games behind Sacramento for Division lead. Fresno is now one game behind Tucson and is in third. Vegas won…they are 5 1/2 behind Tucson.
The Bread Days of Summer Are Upon Us. Some folks judge these to be the dog days of summer, but at the Sidewinders games, if it’s monsoon season, it must be time for FREE BREAD! Ah, the sweet smell of thousands of bags of yeasty bread, all waiting to be given to our baseball fans! For the third consecutive year, the friendly folks at Sara Lee have again dropped off a truckload of 100% whole grain wheat and honey wheat bread to be given to fans as they leave the ballpark. No limits apply, so I’ve seen families walk out with a loaf of bread for each member of their family, including their pet goldfish! It’s a fun promotion for the Game Day Staff and the fans…and just another reason to head on out to TEP tonight!
Mild-Mannered Director of Ticket Operations by Day…Mighty Weather Wizard by Night! If you’ve purchased tickets at the Ticket Office, chances are you didn’t notice the presence of Brad Hudecek there in the background, making sure everything went smoothly for you. It’s a pretty thankless and invisible job, but Brad does it well…and keeps coming back for more, year after year. But during monsoon season, Brad takes on a different - more visible - role. I don’t know if any of you remember an article the Arizona Daily Star did on Brad some years ago, but the storyline goes like this: Brad is the Sidewinders’ unofficial official (if you know what I mean) weather watcher. Brad scopes out Doppler radar and weather forecasts and spends hours on the concourse pondering the dark skies, radio at hand with which to summon the Tarp Crew or to relay information to the umpiring crew, and inevitably followed by nervous-looking Sidewinder’s staff. As clouds suddenly loomed overhead after I got to work and a few raindrops fell before we opened the gates last night (followed by a glorious double rainbow), I asked Brad what was up. He said the chance of rain would increase all night long…but that he thought we’d get the game in okay. Doesn’t matter that he then said, “Well, I’m kinda hoping that’s the case,” because he was absolutely correct! Those storms parted and left us high and, well, dry isn’t totally accurate…I guess I should say “back to muggy and buggy.” Chalk up another correct prediction to Brad!
Homestand Highlights! This is the last long homestand for quite some time as the boys spend a lot of August on the road. Make plans now to join us at the Park. You won’t want to miss a minute of the action! Tickets are available on the Sidewinders website, at 434-1021, or on a walk-up basis at the Ticket Office. I hope we’ll see you there!
Tonight! Final Game - Winders vs. Round Red Rock Express: FIREWORKS FRIDAY: enjoy an incredible fireworks display following the game, sponsored by Sam Levitz Furniture. It’s also “Buy One, Get One Free” night at the Park - get your tickets from any Wells Fargo Branch office. And don’t forget! Following the game and fireworks, kids can run the bases! Oh yeah! And did I mention there’ll be free bread? Gates open at 6pm for 7pm first pitch.
Sat, July 28, Winders vs. Albuquerque Isotopes (Marlins Affiliate): SIDEWINDERS KIDS’ BACKPACK GIVEAWAY: Be one of the first 2,000 kids (12 and under) through the gate with paid admission to receive a Sidewinders backpack courtesy of the Pima County Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Home Depot. What a great way to get ready to head back to school - with a new Sidewinders backpack! And guess what! Following the game, kids can run the bases! Gates open at 6pm for 7pm first pitch.
Sun, July 29, Winders vs. Albuquerque Isotopes: PIMA COUNTY LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM FINALE AND DOLLAR DOG SUNDAY: All evening long, fans can get hot dogs for just a buck a piece! It will also be Pima County Library Night at the Park. Those kids who spent at least the required amount of time reading this summer can pick up a ticket from their local library which will allow four fans to attend the game free (you can upgrade to reserved seating for $3 per person at the Ticket Office). Tickets are sponsored by Compass Bank. And you better believe it, following the game kids can run the bases! Gates open at 5pm for 6pm first pitch.
Mon, July 30, Winders vs. Albuquerque Isotopes: MARGARITA MONDAY: All evening long, fans can get two-for-one margaritas. What a perfect way to cool off after a long, hot Monday! Break the boredom of Mondays with your Winders and two-for-one margaritas. Gates open at 6pm for 7pm first pitch.
Tues, July 31, Winders vs. Albuquerque Isotopes: TWO DOLLAR TACO TUESDAY…get a coupon from any local Quik Mart and get into the game for only $2…and then you can get tacos for dinner for just $2, too! Gates open at 6pm for 7pm first pitch.
(Disclaimer - this posting not reviewed/approved by the Sidewinders, Diamondbacks, PCL, MiLB, MLB, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)
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