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Our Tucson Padres slugged out a season high number of hits yesterday in a blowout victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The funny thing is that the game didn’t start like it was going to be anything other than a toughly-fought match between two good starting pitchers…but the Pads seem to have been inspired by the hour-long rain delay between the third and fourth innings and came back looking like a team on a mission. Either that or (just as likely) the Pads took advantage of every weakness shown by the COS relievers who took over following the delay. As I listened to the game I kept waiting for the Sox to begin smashing out runs, too, but it didn’t happen. Tucson has not been on the winning side of a lopsided victory like this in a long time! In fact, yesterday’s final score reflected the largest margin of victory the T-Pads have experienced all year. Tucson did strike first in the game – and we KNOW that our team gets wins far more often than not when that’s the case. As the teams exited for the rain delay, there was only one run on the board – and Tucson owned it. After the delay, both teams sent in fresh arms to resume play. Tucson’s Jorge Reyes gave up (what would be) the Sox’s only run – tying the game – in the fourth inning. Then the Pads simply took off – scoring three runs in the fifth, four in the sixth, one in the eighth, and an amazing five in the ninth to not just seal the victory, but to do so with authority! Jorge earned the win (though he allowed the only run COS would score) – his fifth this season. And the Pads had hits galore (duh)! The only player in the starting nine (including pitcher Sean O’Sullivan, who left with the rain delay) who did NOT get one hit was Ben Francisco…but he also reached on a walk. Three different players had three-hit games (Dean Anna, Cody Decker, and Jonathan Galvez) – but Rene Rivera topped that with a FOUR-HIT game! And Sean wasn’t the only pitcher to get a hit, either! Jorge also dinged out a single! Surprisingly, given the score, there were NO home runs in the game. But the team continues to be the King of the Two-Base Hit – the guys hit seven of them…a third of their 21 total hits! In fact, Broadcaster Tim Hagerty keeps telling listeners that the Tucson Padres lead all of professional baseball (minors and majors!) with our doubles totals for the season. Way to get it done, Tucson! With the victory, Tucson won the series and stayed a half a game ahead of both Sacramento and Las Vegas in our Division race. Yes, both of them won yesterday, too. HUGE series at Sacramento kicks off tonight. I hope some of the momentum gained in yesterday’s slugfest will hold over as the Pads face the River Cats! Go T-Pads! Final Score: Tucson 14; Colorado Springs 1.
Transactions. I don’t see anything new to report today.
T-Pads Home for the Fourth of July! The Tucson Padres are currently out of town and won’t return home until Thursday, the Fourth of July. The Pads are on their way to Sacramento to face those pesky River Cats (AAA Athletics) for three games in their first visit there this season. Games tonight and tomorrow night will start at 7:05pm local. The game on Wednesday night begins at 6:35pm. Don’t forget: all games can be heard live on 1290AM The Source or live-streaming off the Tucson Padres website worldwide. Mark your calendars for the team’s return: there will be Giant Star Spangled Spectacular Fireworks on both July 4th and 5th. There will be no Thirsty Thursday promotion on July 4th – gates will open early at 5:30pm and fans are encouraged to show up EARLY to beat the big crowd! On the 5th, the first 2,000 fans will receive a miniature American flag. Nothing better than enjoying a professional baseball game AND fireworks to celebrate Independence Day! You won’t want to miss it!
(Disclaimer – This posting has not been reviewed or approved by Pima County, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Padres, Tucson AAA Baseball, San Diego Padres, PCL, MiLB, MLB, National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority, or any other baseball official and represents the views and biases of the author alone)
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Diamonds in the Desert: A Baseball Blog from Tucson 