Congratulations to the Sacramento River Cats…2007 Triple-A Champions!!  The Pacific Coast League took the second consecutive Bricktown Showdown from the International League, as the Sacramento River Cats pummelled the Richmond Braves, 7 to 1, in Oklahoma City last night.

In some sense, their win validates (in my mind) our final season losses.  It is much more satisfying knowing, in retrospect, that we had been clobbered by a team that was good enough to take the whole thing:  Pacific Conference, Pacific Coast League, and Bricktown Showdown!  Well done, Sacramento!  And it’s so nice to keep that Triple-A crown in the PCL family!

I also thought it was interesting that, on the night of the second annual Bricktown Showdown, Micah Owings (the guy who pitched Tucson to a 2006 Triple-A Championship win last year) pitched his first big league complete game shutout up in Phoenix.  Micah led the D-Backs to a 5 to 0 drubbing over the San Francisco Giants last night.  Congratulations to Micah and the D-Backs!

Check back everso often in the off-season for transaction updates and other news effecting our Winders!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for next season’s kickoff!

(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)

Be sure to catch the Bricktown Showdown tomorrow night on ESPN2 at 7pm CDT.  For the second consecutive year, the Pacific Southern Division will represent the Pacific Coast League in this exciting one-game challenge to crown the 2007 Triple-A Champion.  Go River Cats!

Triple-A Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
Sacramento River Cats vs. Richmond Braves, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2

Sacramento River Cats are 2007 Pacific Coast League Champs!

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 5   New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 3  New Orleans Zephyrs, 2
Game Three, Sep 14 - Final score:  NO Zephyrs, 3                Sacramento River Cats, 4
(River Cats sweep series - will play Richmond Braves at Bricktown Showdown)

Richmond Braves are 2007 International League Governor’s Cup Winners!

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 4    Durham Bulls, 2
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 1   Durham Bulls, 5
Game Three, Sep 13 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 3      Richmond Braves, 2
Game Four, Sep 14 - Rain Postponed
Game Four, Sep 15 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 2        Richmond Braves, 6
Game Five, Sep 15 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 2         Richmond Braves, 7
(Braves win series - will play Sacramento River Cats in Bricktown Showdown)

Transaction.  Today the Washington Nationals claimed our Enrique Gonzalez off waivers from the D-Backs.  As you’ll recall, Enrique was designated for assignment on Sep 7th when the D-Backs signed Bob Wickman.

Check back everso often in the off-season for transaction updates and other news affecting our Winders!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for next season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA)  -  Sacramento River Cats are 2007 PCL Champs!

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 5   New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 3  New Orleans Zephyrs, 2
Game Three, Sep 14 - Final score:  NO Zephyrs, 3            Sacramento River Cats, 4
(River Cats sweep series - will play Richmond Braves at Bricktown Showdown)

International League (Class AAA)  -  Richmond Braves are 2007 Governor’s Cup Winners!

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 4    Durham Bulls, 2
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 1   Durham Bulls, 5
Game Three, Sep 13 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 3      Richmond Braves, 2
Game Four, Sep 14 - Rain Postponed
Game Four, Sep 15 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 2        Richmond Braves, 6
Game Five, Sep 15 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 2         Richmond Braves, 7
(Braves win series - will play Sacramento River Cats in Bricktown Showdown)

Triple-A Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
Sacramento River Cats vs. Richmond Braves, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2
                       

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for next season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA)  -  Sacramento River Cats are 2007 PCL Champs!

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 5   New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 3  New Orleans Zephyrs, 2
Game Three, Sep 14 - Final score:  New Orleans Zephyrs, 3   Sacramento River Cats, 4
(River Cats sweep series - will play IL Governor’s Cup winner at Bricktown Showdown)

International League (Class AAA)  -  Best-of-Five Governor’s Cup Series

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 4    Durham Bulls, 2
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 1   Durham Bulls, 5
Game Three, Sep 13 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 3      Richmond Braves, 2
Game Four, Sep 14 - Rain Postponed
(Bulls lead series, two games to one)

Triple-A Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
Sacramento River Cats vs. Governor’s Cup Winner, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2
                        

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for next season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA)  -  Best-of-Five Championship Series

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 5   New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 3  New Orleans Zephyrs, 2
(River Cats lead series, two games to none - next game will be on Sep 14th at Raley Field in Sacramento)

International League (Class AAA)  -  Best-of-Five Governor’s Cup Series

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 4    Durham Bulls, 2
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 1   Durham Bulls, 5
Game Three, Sep 13 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 3      Richmond Braves, 2
(Bulls lead series, two games to one)

Triple-A Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
PCL Champion vs. Governor’s Cup Winner, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2
                        

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for next season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA)  -  Best-of-Five Championship Series

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 5   New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 3  New Orleans Zephyrs, 2
(River Cats lead series, two games to none - next game will be on Sep 14th at Raley Field in Sacramento)

International League (Class AAA)  -  Best-of-Five Governor’s Cup Series

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 4    Durham Bulls, 2
Game Two, Sep 12 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 1   Durham Bulls, 5
(Series tied, one game a piece)

Triple-A Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
PCL Champion vs. Governor’s Cup Winner, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2

Sidewinders Sale Complete.  Today’s Arizona Daily Starreports that the sale of the Tucson Sidewinders to SK Baseball LLC was completed yesterday.  All indicators continue to point to the team’s relocation to Reno for the 2009 season, although the official request for relocation has yet to be filed.  The Reno Redevelopment Agency has tabled their stadium’s Development Disposition Agreement until Sep 20 to ensure a more thorough review.  It doesn’t sound like that’s a stopper…just a delay.  Once the agreement is in place, construction of the new $42 million stadium should begin in January and be completed in time for the 2009 season.  Jay and Melinda Zucker will serve as consultants to run the 2008 season here in Tucson.  Jay is quoted as saying that even if this is the last season in Tucson, there will be “no budget cuts.”  I’m hoping that means that I’ll get a final season of fun as a Game Day Staffer for the team next year!                     

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for next season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA)  -  Best-of-Five Championship Series

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 5   New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
(River Cats lead series, one game to none)

International League (Class AAA)  -  Best-of-Five Governor’s Cup Series

Game One, Sep 11 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 4    Durham Bulls, 2
(Braves lead series, one game to none)

Triple-A Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
PCL Champion vs. Governor’s Cup Winner, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2
                        

California League (Class A Advanced) - Best-of-Five, Northern Division Finals

Game One, Sep 8 - Final score:  Visalia Oaks (D-Backs), 0   San Jose Giants, 1
Game Two, Sep 9 - Final score:  Visalia Oaks, 0                      San Jose Giants, 5
Game Three, Sep 10 - Final score:  San Jose Giants, 3          Visalia Oaks, 6
Game Four, Sep 11 - Final score:    San Jose Giants, 7           Visalia Oaks, 5
(Giants win series - Visalia Oaks eliminated from further playoff consideration)                

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for the season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA) 

Pacific Conference

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 8    Salt Lake Bees, 9 (10 innings)
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 10  Salt Lake Bees, 11
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Salt Lake Bees, 4    Sacramento River Cats, 7
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    Salt Lake Bees, 4    Sacramento River Cats, 7 (10 innings)
Game Five, Sep 9 - Final score:    Salt Lake Bees, 2     Sacramento River Cats, 4 
(River Cats win series - advance to next round of playoffs.  Will face New Orleans Zephyrs for best-of-five PCL championship series at Zephyr Field in New Orleans, beginning on Sep 11th.)     

American Conference

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Nashville Sounds, 2    New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Nashville Sounds, 1    New Orleans Zephyrs, 5
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  New Orleans Zephyrs, 5   Nashville Sounds, 6 (10 innings)
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    New Orleans Zephyrs, 6   Nashville Sounds, 0
(Zephyrs win series - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Sacramento River Cats for best-of-five PCL championship series at Zephyr Field in New Orleans, beginning on Sep 11th.)           

International League (Governor’s Cup) (Class AAA) 

Northern Division vs. Wild Card

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 2   Richmond Braves, 3
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 6   Richmond Braves, 4
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 6   Scranton/W-B Yankees, 4
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    Richmond Braves, 4   Scranton/W-B Yankees, 3
(Braves win series - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Durham Bulls for best-of-five Governor’s Cup series beginning Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.)  

Southern Division vs. Western Division

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:    Toledo Mud Hens, 8   Durham Bulls, 11
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:    Toledo Mud Hens, 5   Durham Bulls, 9
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 5         Toledo Mud Hens, 2
(Bulls sweep series  - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Richmond Braves for best-of-five Governor’s Cup series beginning Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.)    

Triple AAA Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
PCL Champion vs. Governor’s Cup Winner, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2                         

California League (Class A Advanced) - Best-of-Five, Northern Division Finals

Game One, Sep 8 - Final score:  Visalia Oaks (D-Backs), 0   San Jose Giants, 1
Game Two, Sep 9 - Final score:  Visalia Oaks, 0                     San Jose Giants, 5
Game Three, Sep 10 - Final score:  San Jose Giants, 3          Visalia Oaks, 6
(Giants lead series, two games to one)                

Midwest League (Class A) - Best-of-Three, Eastern Division Finals

Game One, Sep 8 - Final score:  W. Michigan Whitecaps, 4  S. Bend Silver Hawks (D-Backs), 0
Game Two, Sep 9 - Final score:  S. Bend Silver Hawks, 5     W. Michigan Whitecaps, 6
(Whitecaps sweep series - eliminate South Bend Silver Hawks from further playoff consideration)

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for the season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA)

Pacific Conference

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 8    Salt Lake Bees, 9 (10 innings)
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 10  Salt Lake Bees, 11
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Salt Lake Bees, 4    Sacramento River Cats, 7
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    Salt Lake Bees, 4    Sacramento River Cats, 7 (10 innings)
Game Five, Sep 9 - Final score:    Salt Lake Bees, 2     Sacramento River Cats, 4  
(River Cats win series - advance to next round of playoffs.  Will face New Orleans Zephyrs for best-of-five PCL championship series at Zephyr Field in New Orleans, beginning on Sep 11th.)     

American Conference

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Nashville Sounds, 2    New Orleans Zephyrs, 3
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Nashville Sounds, 1    New Orleans Zephyrs, 5
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  New Orleans Zephyrs, 5   Nashville Sounds, 6 (10 innings)
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    New Orleans Zephyrs, 6   Nashville Sounds, 0
(Zephyrs win series - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Sacramento River Cats for best-of-five PCL championship series at Zephyr Field in New Orleans, beginning on Sep 11th.)           

International League (Governor’s Cup) (Class AAA)

Northern Division vs. Wild Card

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 2   Richmond Braves, 3
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 6   Richmond Braves, 4
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 6   Scranton/W-B Yankees, 4
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    Richmond Braves, 4   Scranton/W-B Yankees, 3
(Braves win series - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Durham Bulls for best-of-five Governor’s Cup series beginning Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.)  

Southern Division vs. Western Division

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:    Toledo Mud Hens, 8   Durham Bulls, 11
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:    Toledo Mud Hens, 5   Durham Bulls, 9
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 5         Toledo Mud Hens, 2
(Bulls sweep series  - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Richmond Braves for best-of-five Governor’s Cup series beginning Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.)    

Triple AAA Championship Game, Bricktown Showdown, September 18th, Oklahoma City
PCL Champion vs. Governor’s Cup Winner, 7 p.m. CDT, ESPN2                         

California League (Class A Advanced) - Best-of-Five, Northern Division Finals

Game One, Sep 8 - Final score:  Visalia Oaks (D-Backs), 0   San Jose Giants, 1
Game Two, Sep 9 - Final score:  Visalia Oaks, 0                     San Jose Giants, 5
(Giants lead series, two games to none)                

Midwest League (Class A) - Best-of-Three, Eastern Division Finals

Game One, Sep 8 - Final score:  W. Michigan Whitecaps, 4  S. Bend Silver Hawks (D-Backs), 0
Game Two, Sep 9 - Final score:  S. Bend Silver Hawks, 5     W. Michigan Whitecaps, 6
(Whitecaps sweep series - eliminate South Bend Silver Hawks from further playoff consideration)

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for the season’s kickoff!

(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)

Pacific Coast League (Class AAA)

Pacific Conference

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 8    Salt Lake Bees, 9 (10 innings)
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Sacramento River Cats, 10  Salt Lake Bees, 11
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Salt Lake Bees, 4    Sacramento River Cats, 7
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    Salt Lake Bees, 4    Sacramento River Cats, 7 (10 innings)  
(Series tied, two games a piece…Come on River Cats!  Get it on, boys!)      

American Conference

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Nashville Sounds, 2    New Orleans Zephyrs, 3 
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Nashville Sounds, 1    New Orleans Zephyrs, 5
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  New Orleans Zephyrs, 5   Nashville Sounds, 6 (10 innings)
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    New Orleans Zephyrs, 6   Nashville Sounds, 0(Zephyrs win series - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face winner of Pacific Conference for best-of-five series beginning on Sep 11th.  How ’bout that?  The team with the best regular season record in the PCL is thwarted!)            

International League (Governor’s Cup) (Class AAA)

Northern Division vs. Wild Card

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 2   Richmond Braves, 3
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 6   Richmond Braves, 4
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Richmond Braves, 6   Scranton/W-B Yankees, 4
Game Four, Sep 8 - Final score:    Richmond Braves, 4   Scranton/W-B Yankees, 3 (Braves win series - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Durham Bulls for best-of-five series beginning Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.)   

Southern Division vs. Western Division

Game One, Sep 5 - Final score:    Toledo Mud Hens, 8   Durham Bulls, 11
Game Two, Sep 6 - Final score:    Toledo Mud Hens, 5   Durham Bulls, 9
Game Three, Sep 7 - Final score:  Durham Bulls, 5         Toledo Mud Hens, 2
(Bulls sweep series  - advance to next round in playoffs.  Will face Richmond Braves for best-of-five series beginning Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.)                               

California League (Class A Advanced) - Best of Five, Northern Division Finals

Game One, Sep 8 - Final Score:  Visalia Oaks (D-Backs), 0   San Jose Giants, 1           (Giants lead series, one game to none)                 

Midwest League (Class A) - Best of Three, Eastern Division Finals

Game One, Sep 8 - Final score:  W. Michigan Whitecaps, 4    S. Bend Silver Hawks (D-Backs),0                                                                                                                                       (Whitecaps lead series, one game to none)

Check back everso often in the off-season for playoff scores, transaction updates, and other news!  And don’t forget, the Sidewinder’s 2008 season will begin at TEP on April 3rd…be sure to mark your calendars now for the season’s kickoff!

(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)