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Another meeting night – another partially followed game…BUT good news: another Tucson win! While in Sacramento they lost three and won two – not a bad record. In the process, we kicked Sacramento down into second place in the standings (YAY!) because Las Vegas also won last night. That means we’re still five games back – but now that’s to Vegas alone. Sacramento is one game back. By the time I tuned into the game last night, play was in the middle of the fourth inning and the Padres had a lead, five to four. The box score shows that both teams put up three runs in the first inning. Sacramento was next to score, with one run in the third, but Tucson came back with two runs in the fourth to take a one-run lead. That’s where I came in. Keyvius Sampson, our starter, was still in the game for the fourth, but that was his final inning of work – he’d allowed only four hits (and four runs, three earned), but had given up six walks and that total was piling up the deeper he went into the game. Sacramento’s starter was also still in the game, and he gave up an additional two runs to the Pads in the fifth. One came on a leadoff solo homer by Brandon Allen; the other on an RBI single by Cody Decker that brought home Scott Moore. Tucson now ahead seven to four! New Padre reliever, Arturo Lopez (see Transactions) faced the Cats in the bottom of the fifth and held them scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth, however, he allowed a leadoff solo homer to Sacramento’s Jake Goebbert. That was all the Cats would get off Lopez. As it happens, Tucson was done scoring for the evening…and it looked like Sacramento might have been done, too. Brad Brach came in for the seventh and wiggled out of a jam to hold the Cats scoreless. Brach then allowed a leadoff single to Goebbert in the eighth, but got the next two players to strike out. Still, Manager Pat Murphy decided it was time for Miles Mikolas to take the mound. Miles got the final out in the eighth on a lineout. No runs for Sacramento. Top of the ninth – Tucson did not score. BUT Reymond Fuentes finally got a hit to extend his hitting streak to 10 games! He worked his way over to third, but we stranded him there. So, bottom of the ninth and Miles still in the game. The first batter he faces slams out a solo home run! Tucson’s lead now only ONE run! The next batter also hits a deep one! Oh no! But Daniel Robertson banged up against the wall in right and saved us from another homer! Whew. Even for a “Miles save outing,” this inning was looking more scary than normal! Next up to the plate: Michael Taylor. Pretty decent power hitter. He hits one that somehow shimmied its way under Gregorio Petit’s glove at SS (for an error). Taylor makes it safely to second on the error. Then he notices that ALL our infielders are congregated out beyond second base and he makes a fascinating choice: he takes off for third! Fortunately, the Pads noticed this in time and Miles sprinted alongside Choice, caught the ball, and tagged the runner out before he made it to third. I’ve never heard of that before! That was the tying run out there, too! Well done, Miles! Two out and Anthony Aliotti at the plate. He’s been a potent offensive force for the Cats in this series. He launches another deep ball – going, going, nope! Jonathan Galvez tracks it down in deep leftfield to end the game. Wow! It’s really great that the Pads return home in the middle of a winning streak! They have a better record at home than on the road, so there’s reason to hope that this will be a productive homestand for them. Both series at home are against teams not in our Division, so we’ll still need help from other teams to gain ground on our Division leaders…but I have hope. What is troubling me, however, is simply the knowledge that THIS – the nine-game homestand ahead – is truly THE END of the Tucson Padres era of AAA baseball here in town. And, quite likely, the end of pro baseball, period, in Tucson. At least for the short-term. As General Manager Mike Feder said in a recent press release, “you can never say never as far as Triple-A baseball returning to the Old Pueblo, but this is goodbye for now.” Cue the weeping and gnashing of teeth from the big-time fans of the game, like yours truly! Final Score: Tucson 7, Sacramento 6.
Transactions. Yesterday, the Tucson Padres placed reliever Jorge Reyes on the seven-day DL with an oblique strain. This is the first time in 2 years that Jorge has been out of commission for the Padres! To fill his spot in the pen and on the roster, the Diablos Rojos del Mexico (Mexican League) traded Arturo Lopez to Tucson. Arturo is a former San Diego Padre (among other MLB teams).
FINAL Homestand Begins Tonight! The T-Pads kick off their final, nine-game homestand of the season (and most likely for pro baseball in Tucson, period) tonight at Kino Stadium. The Pads will face the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA Mariners) for five, followed by the Reno Aces (AAA DBacks) for four. All games will be played at 7:05pm. Tonight is Wiener Wednesday and Social Media Night. Dollar hot dogs all night long! AND check the Tucson Padres Facebook page for this week’s great special offer! Tomorrow night will feature the ever-popular Toros Thirsty Thursday with dollar beverage specials from 6pm to 9pm – and the team will be wearing the ‘90s version of the throwback Toros jerseys. Remember: college students with school IDs can purchase tickets for just $4! On Friday night the Padres are presenting a salute to the University of Arizona with Bear Down Friday. All fans wearing Wildcats-related attire will get a box seat for only $5 (half off regular price!). There will also be a U. of A. alumni athlete softball game on the field from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Perhaps the biggest night of the homestand – and of the season – will be Saturday night! The Famous San Diego Chicken has decided to come out of semi-retirement to play one last gig in honor of Tucson’s baseball history and help us say farewell…Beto Coyote, a famous mascot in his own right, of the Hermosillo Naranjeros will also show up to entertain fans. As if that wasn’t enough excitement, the staff is capping the evening off with a Fireworks Spectacular following the game! And did I mention you can get coupons for $2 off the price of any ticket at any local Giant convenience stores? Yup! This is a biggie, folks! I hope you’ll take advantage of all the fun events planned! Mark your calendars and plan to attend at least one of the final nine games at Kino Stadium!
(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 