For most of today’s game I had Gameday running in the background while I did my usual computer “work” and listened to the DBacks on the radio.  After the DB’s win at Denver, I turned on Tucson’s radio link to hear Reno broadcaster Ryan Radtke’s excellent coverage of this final game…but I also kept Gameday running.  Turns out Gameday runs in real-time and there’s some transmission lag for the radio feed, so I could see each batter’s performance well before Ryan got around to talking about it.  Funny to think that both were “live” and yet running at such different intervals!

September 5^th – Tucson 8;  Reno 12.   Tucson out-hit Reno in the game, 13 to 8, and each team committed two costly errors, but the big difference in the game came in two “crooked number” innings for Reno.  Tied one to one in the bottom of the second, our starter Samuel Deduno, gave up four Reno runs to give Reno an impressive five to one lead.  Samuel went 2 2/3  innings and was only charged with one earned run out of five runs-scored.  Sloppy play!  Reliever Stiven Osuna followed Samuel and pitched until he got in trouble in the seventh…he allowed a double and a walk and C Guillermo Quiroz advanced the runner to third on a passed ball before Manager Terry Kennedy brought in Luis Perdomo.  Perdomo walked two then gave up a grand slam to Angel Berroa (with no outs) to effectively put the game out of reach for Tucson.  Tucson  had been nibbling away at Reno’s earlier five-to-one lead, and was only one run back of the Aces when Berroa rudely dashed our hopes with his Slam!  Still, Tucson didn’t give up…and that’s the  most important thing to me!  They got two more runs in the top of the eighth before turning the game back over to their defense…and then the T-Pads did something rather unusual!  Behind (but only by four) in the bottom of the eighth, Tucson sent INF Anthony Contreras to the mound to pitch in relief of Perdomo…we put pitcher Matt Buschmann in to play RF…and shifted Eric Patterson from RF to 2B.  Guess TK didn’t expect that Tucson would have to face a bottom of the ninth!  Humph!  Anyway, Anthony pitched fairly well for a position player!  He got a groundout, a fly out (played quite well by our pitcher, Buschmann!), walked a batter…then allowed an RBI double…a walk…and finally got Angel Berroa to ground out!  He tossed 22 pitches:  10 for strikes and 12 for balls…well, that’s why he plays INFIELD!  Still…he only allowed one run!  Way to go Anthony!  So, top of the ninth.  Final at-bats for Tucson’s season, and Aces send out a new pitcher to close:  it’s Esmerling Vasquez (I “know” him – he’s a former Tucson Sidewinder)!  At first it looks like it’s not Esmerling’s night, as Pat McKenna singles (advances to second and to third on  defensive indifference while Matt Clark was at plate), Clark walks, and my man Pedro Feliz reaches on fielding error to score McKenna.  But then Vasquez gets it right:  Kyle Phillips flies out…GQ flies out…and closing pitcher/second baseman Contreras pops out to 3B to end the inning…and the game and the season…  Another run-scored, but not enough for a win.  Curses!   Split series with the Aces this time.  Reno is off to the playoffs…the T-Pads go home, I guess.  (If I hear about any moves amongst our players, I’ll try to post those updates.)  A losing season, but still…can’t beat having AAA baseball in the Old Pueblo once again.  Thank you, Padres, for giving us another chance!  (I can’t wait for 2012!) 

We Are Done Here…   But save this date:  the T-Pad staff have announced that the first home game of the 2012 season will be played at Kino Stadium on April 5, 2012!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks,  Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

September 4^th – Tucson 10;  Reno 3.   LHP Rob Musgrave earned his third win of the season after Tucson came back late to take control of the game.  Rob worked seven innings and allowed all three Reno runs on six hits, two walks, and four Ks.  Reliever Will Inman took the final two innings and allowed no additional runs.  Rob actually had a hand in the sixth-inning offense, too, as he took a leadoff walk to start things out.  An error, a fielder’s choice, and a single later and Rob had scored the first of the T-Pad’s eight runs!  My man, Pedro Feliz, hit a two-run double, then scored on Kyle Phillip’s single;  the Aces responded by allowing a single and a walk to load the bases.  Reno then decided to change pitchers, and sent Kam Mickolio to the mound to face Mykal Stokes.  Mykal – glad to be back at AAA – swatted out a bases-clearing triple, and then also scored on a groundout to the next batter.  Tucson added a little icing to their cake with another two runs in the top of the eighth inning.  Other good tidbits:  Tucson committed no errors and turned three double plays!

Transactions.   OF Mykal Stokes rejoined the T-Pads, having been assigned to Tucson from Lake Elsinore Storm yesterday.

One Game Left…and It’s Going on Right Now!   Check the Tucson Padres website for a link to Gameday and/or a link to radio coverage of this final game of Tucson’s 2011 season (in which, sadly, Reno has a five to three lead…).   And save this date:  the T-Pad staff have announced that the first home game of the 2012 season will be played at Kino Stadium on April 5, 2012!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks,  Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

September 3^rd – Tucson 6;  Reno 5.  Tucson took an early lead in last night’s game, getting two runs in the top of second, and held that lead while our starter, Jeremy Hefner, and our defense successfully held the Aces at bay.  Reno started nibbling at the run total in fifth: they put up one run in that and each of the next three innings.  Fortunately, Tucson cut them off at the pass with another two-runs scored in the top of the eighth, so that the teams were tied at the end of that inning.  Both starting pitchers departed and the teams went scoreless through the ninth and tenth innings.  In the top of the eleventh inning, Tucson again put up another two runs… which just happened to be enough to win the game.  Reno got a solo homer in the  bottom of the frame, but our new closer Erik Hamren was able to hold the Aces to the single run.  Good job, T-Pads!  BTW, Hefner didn’t figure in the final decision, though he went seven innings and allowed only three runs (only one earned:  Tucson committed three errors last night…ouch!), on six hits (one was a solo homer) and two  walks.  He struck out TEN!  Nicely done!  Hefner also went one for three at the plate.   Speaking of plate appearances, my nod for offensive leader in the game goes to C Kyle Phillips, who was three for five with two runs-scored.  2B Anthony  Contreras also had a nice evening, going two for five with two RBIs.

Transactions.  As mentioned earlier, the San Diego Padres have recalled Anthony Rizzo and James Darnell!  Good luck to both of them in their second tour with the Bigs this season!  That means that all eligible position players from Tucson on the 40- man roster are now playing for the Parent Unit!

Only Two Games Left!   Tucson has only two more games left to play this season… both in Reno against the Aces (DBacks affiliate).  Mark your calendars NOW:  the T- Pad staff have announced that the first home game of the 2012 season will be played at Kino Stadium on April 5, 2012!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks, Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

August 31^st – Tucson 1;  Tacoma 6.  Had I had internet connectivity, my subject line for this game would’ve read:  “Bats Finally Come Alive…for Tacoma.”  Tucson was able to get their one run on five hits and one walk…Tacoma, however, had eleven hits and six walks!  Thankfully, our guys turned three double-plays that helped us hold the Rainiers back some:  they left eight on base.  As it happened, our one error – charged to starting pitcher, Samuel Deduno – was quite costly… after allowing a bases-loaded single to score two, Samuel tossed a wild one to third that allowed another two runs to score.  Offensive  leader for Tucson:  it’s a toss-up!  Eric Patterson was one for four at the plate with a double (the only multi-base hit for the Pads) but two strikeouts…while  my man Pedro Feliz was one for three with the team’s only RBI (no Ks).  Not a lot of offense to choose from, frankly… 

September 1^st – Tucson 3;  Tacoma 7.  Tucson attempted to make up for lost games by scoring three in the top of the first inning in this final game of the season versus the Rainiers.  After such low-scoring games of the previous few nights, I’m sure the guys thought they were on a roll with that!  Sadly, that was not the case and Tacoma’s steady pitching once again took its toll…  But, what a first!  With one out, Steve Tolleson took a walk to first…followed by a swinging strikeout…followed by a single for James Darnell…  Two on, two out and Bobby Kielty to the plate…and Bobby crushes out a three-run homer!  Woo hoo, T-Pads!!  But that was essentially it for the offense.  Tucson did turn four double plays and completed the game without a single error!  But it wasn’t quite flawless…our pitching staff tried to help the Rainiers out by allowing two stolen bases and tossing three wild pitches and one hit batsman.

September 2^nd – Tucson 1;  Reno 2.  This was a close one!  Continuing the hard-fought series played here just last week, Tucson and Reno took ten innings to settle last night’s contest!  All up  and down the box score, you can see how closely matched these two teams were last night:  one error a piece; seven hits for us, six for them; each team scored its first run in the sixth; three DPs turned by Tucson, two for Reno…the major difference would appear to be in the walk column:  Tucson allowed ten…Reno a mere four.  Tucson pitching also issued three intentional passes and hit a batsman.  Still…close in nearly every measurable way!  Tucson’s lone run-scored came on Matt Clark’s 23^rd homer of the season.  Matt was two for four at the plate with that solo  homer and a double…he also took a walk.  SS Pat McKenna was happy to be back in the game:   he got Tucson’s only other extra-base hit – a triple (his first of the season).  Our closer for the  evening, Will Inman, took the extra-inning loss, bringing his record to 5 wins and 11 losses.  He  pitched to five batters in the 10^th and gave up the winning run with one out.

Transactions.  In the days since my last post…  September call-ups resulted in our C Luis Martinez and RHP Evan Scribner heading back up to San Diego to close out the month in the Bigs.  Odd…because Evan is on the DL and can’t play!  Now he’s on the MLB 60-day DL.  C Kyle  Phillips cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Tucson.  Tucson activated INF Pat McKenna off the 7-day DL.  OF Chris Denorfia has also been assigned to Tucson (I believe this is an MLB rehab assignment).  The San Diego site also indicates that the organization has designated RHP Pat Neshek for assignment.  I am a little surprised that San Diego didn’t give Anthony Rizzo another shot this month…but it appears that’s the case (at least for now).

Gone, But Not Quite Done Yet…   Tucson has only three more games left to play this season…all in Reno against the Aces (DBacks affiliate).  Mark your calendars NOW:  the T-Pad staff have announced that the first home game of the 2012 season will be played at Kino Stadium on April 5, 2012!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks,  Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

August 30^th – Tucson 2; Tacoma 0.  LHP Rob Musgrave earned his second win for Tucson after going six innings last night without allowing a Tacoma run.  He only gave up two hits and one walk – tossed five Ks!  Will Inman, Pat Neshek, and Luis Perdomo combined to blank Tacoma through the rest of the game.  Both teams were limited to a total of five hits; Tucson allowed a total of two walks, while Tacoma allowed only one.  That’s good pitching, folks!  And it’s funny how things work out:  that one walk allowed by the Rainiers staff figured in the run total for Tucson!  C Luis Martinez took that walk and was on base when last night’s DH, Kyle Phillips, went deep for a two-run homer!  That was our only multi-base hit last night.  Only 3B James Darnell was able to get more than one hit against Tacoma…and he had a grand total of two.  One Tucson error.  But we turned two double plays.

Around the Farm…  As the season winds down in the minors, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at how the Padres system has fared.  Here’s what I found:

Low A:  Fort Wayne TinCaps:  has a 35 and 29 record (.547) in the second half.  They have not yet been eliminated from playoff consideration and are nine games back of Division leader, Dayton  Dragons.

High A:  Lake Elsinore Storm:  has clinched a playoff spot with their 34 and 30 (.531) record in the second half (remember that I saw the Storm play the IE66ers earlier this month in San Bernardino…both teams have clinched playoff spots and have identical records)

AA:  San Antonio Missions:  won their division in both first and second half!  Current record 41 and 23 (.641).  Way to go Missions!

Transactions.  Who says San Diego doesn’t notice honors granted players in their farm system!   A day after our paper noted that reliever Brad Brach was named PCL Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 22 – 28^th, San Diego called Brad up to play in the Bigs!  Good luck, Brad!  In other moves…after giving OF Blake Tekotte a taste of AA again, San Diego recalled him to play with them once again.  Finally, San Diego optioned RHP Erik Hamren to Tucson.  I wasn’t familiar  with that name, so I checked SD transactions and found this…Blake’s already back in San Antonio after playing with the Parent Unit last night.  And – well, this makes me particularly sad after he won the game for us last night! – San Diego has designated C Kyle Phillips for assignment.   Nothing there on Hamren, but a look at his bio indicates he’s played for both Lake Elsinore and San Antonio AND got a major league WIN this season!

Gone, But Not Done Yet…   Tucson closes its season on the road.  Tonight they continue their  series against the Tacoma Rainiers in WA before heading into Reno for another four against the Aces on their turf.  Oh, and mark your calendars:  the T-Pad staff announced that the first home game of the 2012 season will be played at Kino Stadium on April 5, 2012!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks,  Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

August 29^th – Tucson 2; Tacoma 4.  While Tucson pitching was good enough to hold Tacoma without a run through seven, Rainier’s starter Jarrett Grube was also very effective on the  mound.  Sure, he gave up both of Tucson’s runs in his six innings, but he did so on only two hits (and four walks).  In fact, Tacoma limited Tucson to a total of four hits!  Based on that, we should be thrilled we got two runs!  Tacoma did commit three errors while Tucson played without an E once again;  apparently the errors didn’t affect the run tally since both Tucson runs are shown as earned against Grube.  Offensively, Tucson’s Eric Patterson is practically the only name mentioned in the box score:  to base twice, one for four with a double (the only extra-base hit for the T-Pads), and one of our two RBIs (Luis Martinez got the other RBI).  Reliever Greg Burke worked the eighth for Tucson and got a blown save for allowing two runs to tie the game; closer  Pat Neshek pitched the ninth and earned the loss (his second of the year) for Tucson.  With two out and one on base, he allowed a two-run homer to Rainiers CF Michael Saunders to end the game.  Well…heck!  But, Tacoma has had a decent year.  They’re in second place in their Division (seven games back of the Reno Aces; who won last night, by the way, against Fresno…which helps keep us out of the last place slot in our Division!) with a 67 and 70 win/loss record (.489).  Tacoma has still not statistically been eliminated from playoff consideration (but let’s get real…Reno’s going to take it, it’s just a matter of time…or one more loss for Tacoma, actually!).

Transactions.  Can’t find anything new affecting us today.  However, today’s paper reported that our reliever Brad Brach has been named PCL Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 22 – 28^th!  Good job, Brad!

Gone, But Not Done Yet…   Tucson closes its season on the road.  Tonight they continue their  series against the Tacoma Rainiers in WA before heading into Reno for another four against the Aces on their turf.  Oh, and mark your calendars:  the T-Pad staff announced that the first home game of the 2012 season will be played at Kino Stadium on April 5, 2012!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks,  Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

It was a good thing that I’d made arrangements to meet a friend and her furry companions for last night’s game, because I’ve reached that point in summer where I find it much easier to stay indoors with my A/C and fans blasting than do anything outside.  Happens every year:  sick of our heat and inertia has settled in.  But what fun we had at last night’s game!  To accommodate the pups, we sat on the grass under the scoreboard where we enjoyed cool grass and a lovely breeze that made it one of the most comfortable evenings I’ve experienced at Kino in recent weeks.  Plus it was a hoot to see Lucy doggie make friends with everyone who passed.  She wagged her tail so hard through most of the game that I’m surprised she didn’t get airborne!  After years of living in a cat’s household, it was a treat to spend the evening with an extremely friendly and exuberant dog!  All  that AND the home team won again!

August 28^th – Tucson 6;  Reno 4.   The Aces struck first last night, getting a run in the first inning, and I was afraid that it might be a bad sign for the T-Pads…but Tucson had other plans.   Although starter, Matt Buschmann, allowed two more runs in the top of the second, he also began the offensive production for our guys…in the third inning, he got a single (only our second hit), actually stole second base successfully (!), and then scored on a double by CF Eric Patterson before Reno shut us down again.  Confident after that, Matt didn’t allow another Reno run until the seventh.  Meantime, 1B Anthony Rizzo hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth (his 26^th HR of the year) and RF Matt Clark hit a three-run dinger in the sixth to give Tucson a lead (their first in the game).  My only disappointment was that both those homers went out over the RF wall…so much for my dream of catching a home run ball while out in LF!!  Speaking of LF…James Darnell played that spot for Tucson last night.  Oh for four at the plate, he did give the T-Pads their final insurance run in the bottom of the eighth.  Buschmann earned his sixth win of the season…and Tucson committed no errors.  It was a good end to the homestand and home season.   Can’t wait until these guys return in 2012!

Fare-thee-well, Dorwin.  All season long, six black banners have graced the outfield walls,  reminding us of those who were killed in the January 8^th shooting at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’  “Congress on Your Corner” event.  Late in last night’s game, Director of Operations, Eric May,  took the field to formally remove the banner commemorating Dorwin Stoddard.  The banner will be sent to his son in Virginia.  Months of seeing those banners had made them melt somehow into the fabric of the stadium, and it wasn’t until this ceremony called my attention to them once again that I noticed – really noticed – their presence again.  A touching moment that brought tears to my eyes…  RIP Dorwin Stoddard, Judge John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Gabe Zimmerman, Dorothy Morris, and Christina-Taylor Green. 

Transactions.  Nothing new reported today.

Gone, But Not Done Yet…   Tucson closes its season on the road.  Tonight they’ll begin a  four-game stand against the Tacoma Rainiers in WA and then they head into Reno for another four against the Aces on their turf.  Oh, and mark your calendars:  the T-Pad staff announced that the first home game of the 2012 season will be played at Kino Stadium on April 5, 2012!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks,  Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

August 27^th – Tucson 4; Reno 3.   The scoreboard reflects zeros for each of the first five innings before Tucson 1B Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to put Tucson on top.   Reno responded with a single run (off starter Jon Leicester) in the top of the seventh and another in the top of the eighth to tie the game at two runs apiece.  And there it sat… through regulation and into the 15^th inning…  Our reliever Aaron Poreda had already worked two innings at this point, and may have been tiring.  He walked the first batter, got a sacrifice bunt out, walked the third batter, got a K, then allowed a single to load the bases.  Aaron then walked in Reno’s third run of the night before striking their final batter out.  Reno put a fresh arm out on the mound (Kam Mickolio) to take the bottom of the 15^th, and Tucson greeted him with a double by Anthony Contreras and an RBI double by pinch-hitter Jarrett Hoffpauir.  Kam then advanced Jarrett to third on a wild pitch to Eric Patterson before allowing Eric an RBI single, bringing Jarrett home with the winning run!  No outs…game over!  A win for Aaron Poreda (his third).  No errors for either team!  Tucson had ten hits…used six pitchers and twelve different position players…turned two double-plays…and snuck up over the Fresno Grizzlies in our Division standings once again!  Reno will definitely have to go clinch their playoff spot somewhere else – way to go, Tucson!                                                                     

Transactions.  Nothing new reported today.

Final Home Game of the 2011 Season!!   Tucson faces Reno for one more game in this final home series of the inaugural season for the Tucson Padres.  It’s Bark in the Park Night, Military Appreciation Night, and Sponsor Night at the old ball park.  Gates open at 6pm for a 7pm first  itch.   I’ll be there…  Will you?

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks, Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)

August 26^th – Tucson 6; Reno 5.   Although the hits were staying in the ballpark, last night was a slugfest in which Reno actually out-hit the T-Pads, 14 to 12.  Tucson sent RHP Samuel  Deduno to the mound for the start.  He earned his fourth win of the season to even his record at four.  Six innings, four earned runs on nine hits and three walks;  five Ks, one wild pitch and one intentional walk.  Pat Neshek returned to the Tucson team and pitched a solid ninth, earning his third AAA save of the year.  He did allow a run, but it wasn’t enough to give the Aces a leg up on the T-Pads.  SS Steve Tolleson had the best offensive line:  three for four with a RBI and two runs-scored, he also stole two bases…and was charged our only error.  Also impressive was 2B Anthony Contreras:  the only T-Pad to have a multi-base hit last night, he was two for four with his first triple and third double at the AAA level.  He was credited with an RBI and two runs-scored.  Keep it up, Tucson!  For some reason I’m finding these wins against the Reno Aces (those dastardly former Sidewinders!) especially sweet!                                                                               

Transactions.  The MiLB transaction site finally reflects that Pat McKenna has gone on the 7- day DL with a left ankle strain.  Tucson also activated RHP Pat Neshek.  Today’s paper reported that waiver negotiations between San Fran and San Diego were not completed before the deadline:  SD closer, Heath Bell, will remain a Padre.  Neat article about young Mike Watt’s brief experience with our AAA club in today’s paper:  Watt.

Wanna Be a Batboy?  The Arizona Daily Star’s Patrick Finley had an opportunity to work for the T-Pads in this capacity during this homestand…his answer to the question is a resounding, “No!”  Fun article here.

Final Homestand!!   The T-Pads are home for ONLY TWO more games against the DBack- affiliate Aces (from Reno).  Remember, this is the final homestand of the season, so you gotta make time to catch one of these final two!  There’s still time to catch some neat Promos!!

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks, Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the  iews and biases of the author alone)

August 25^th, Game One – Tucson 0; Reno 2.   In the PCL, double-headers are always composed of two seven-inning games, and the first game last night flew by on excellent pitching by both teams.  As I just mentioned, I was tickled to see Mike Watt get a spot start promotion:  though he took the loss, he did very well.  He went five innings against AAA batters and allowed both Reno runs on six hits (one was a solo homer) and no walks.  He struck out three and his pitches-to-strikes ratio was 66 and 42.  AAA ERA of 3.60.  The real problem in game one was the pitching of our opponent, Reno starter Kevin Mulvey.  He was just fantastic:  complete game shutout…only TWO hits and no walks allowed and he struck out four.  Credit Anthony Rizzo and Steve Tolleson for those two hits.  Other good news for Tucson:  no errors and we turned two double-plays (funny, but Rizzo and Tolleson were featured in the DPs, too…).  Otherwise, this game was all about pitching!

August 25^th, Game Two – Tucson 3; Reno 1.   Tucson’s offense showed a bit more life in the second game last night; combined with excellent pitching by starter Rob Musgrave, the T-Pads were able to pull off a win to split the double-header and leave Reno in need of three more wins before they can clinch their Division.  Musgrave won his first AAA game of the season for five innings of one-run ball (three hits – one of which was a solo homer for that one run allowed – no walks, six Ks…I gotta tell you, he looked sharp out there!).  Anthony Rizzo showed signs of getting out of his funk:  he went two for three with two doubles and two runs scored.  He also successfully stole a base.  Jarrett Hoffpauir also produced, going two for three with a double and one run-scored.  He was also caught stealing.  Pat McKenna rounded out the big offensive line with a two for two and one RBI.  No Tucson errors (again!) and a fun time was had by all as the T-Pad management extended the Thirsty Thursday cheap beverages deal through almost all of the second game!

Transactions.  After calling up LHP Mike Watt from the Lake Elsinore Storm (A ball) yesterday, the team assigned him back to LE today.  The transactions also finally reflect the return of INF James Darnell from San Diego: in fact they show that as occurring on Aug 25^th AND Aug 26^th.  Do you remember former T-Pad Andy Parrino?  He’s been playing with the San Antonio Missions (AA ball)…  Well, San Diego called him up to the Bigs today!   Our roster also reflects that Pat McKenna has gone on the 7-day DL.  He played last night and there’s no transaction note to explain that status change.

Final Homestand!!   The T-Pads are home for three more games against the DBack-affiliate Aces (from Reno).  Remember, this is the final homestand of the season, so you gotta make time to catch a game!  GM Mike Feder and staff still have lots of good things on tap for the fans!  Check it out:  Promos

(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed/approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Toros, the Reno Aces, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, Diamondbacks, Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, Golden Baseball League, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Tucson Baseball LLC, SK Baseball LLC, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)