Homers land ‘Winders in Triple-A title game

ROUND ROCK, Texas – After a brief celebration on the infield, the Tucson Sidewinders sprinted gleefully toward their clubhouse, and for good reason.

They took off their cleats and caps just inside the doorway and embarked on a champagne-soaked celebration.

For the third time in franchise history, and the first time since 1993, Tucson could rejoice as the Pacific Coast League champions after a come-from-behind 6-3 victory over Round Rock on Friday.

“It’s just great to bring the PCL title back to Tucson,” said reliever Mike Koplove, who earned the save with 1 1/2 innings of one-hit relief. “I’ve been with the Diamondbacks’ organization since 1998, Robby Hammock, too, and the organization has been good to us. This is the first time, as the Sidewinders, that we won the title, and we’re all just thrilled.”

The Sidewinders came back from a 3-0 deficit in the fifth inning by getting a run in the sixth and then exploding for five more in the seventh to finish their three-game sweep of the Express.

“I am just relieved,” Hammock said. “It was a great way to end an unbelievable season. I can’t really describe too much how great this team was all season.”

Jon Weber got the rally started in the seventh with a single up the middle to score Kenny Perez and Alberto Callaspo to tie the game at 3. With Weber on first, Brian Barden hit a towering home run to left field to put the Sidewinders up 5-3.

Then Hammock, who was named the series MVP, put on his own power display with another home run that nearly hit the scoreboard in centerfield.

“We had unbelievable talent, unbelievable composure, and it didn’t matter what the situation was in the game,” Hammock said. “We felt like we could win every game. The way this game ended just topped it off.”

Four Tucson relievers combined to throw 3 1/2 scoreless innings of relief with Casey Daigle picking up the win. “My job was a lot easier with that three-run cushion,” Koplove said. “All I had to do was throw strikes.

Scott Hairston appeared to have given the Sidewinders an early lead in the first inning when he hit a two-out base hit off the top of the wall in straight away centerfield.

Mike Rodriguez made a leaping effort for the ball and then stopped as if it was a home run. But second base umpire Ramon Armendariz signaled the hit a live ball and Hairston ended up with a triple.

After a brief umpire discussion, Barden hit a ground ball deep into the hole at shortstop, but Jesse Garcia backhanded it and threw to first in time for the final out of the inning

Tucson starter Ross Ohlendorf got two quick outs in the bottom of the first before the Express took a 2-0 lead, highlighted by consecutive doubles from Brooks Conrad and Eric Munson.

Ohlendorf followed his 23-pitch first inning by not allowing an Express base runner through the next three frames. It looked like the streak would continue through the first batter of the fifth when he struck out Garcia. But a wild pitch allowed him to reach first base. Garcia made the score 3-0 with help from another Ohlendorf wild pitch and a Barden throwing error.

But that’s where the errors stopped and Tucson’s comeback began. Hairston, who led off the sixth with a double, scored on a throwing error from Garcia to cut the lead to 3-1.

Now it’s on to Oklahoma City, where the Sidewinders will play in a one-game Triple-A Championship Series on Tuesday against the champion of the International League.

Rochester and Toledo are tied 2-2, with Game 5 of the series scheduled for today. “We’ve felt we were the best time in the PCL all season, and we’ve proved that,” Koplove said. “Now we want to show we’re the best team in Triple-A baseball. Anything can happen in a one-game series, but we’re ready to take on the International League champs.”

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SIDEWINDERS RALLY TO BEAT ROUND ROCK 6-3 FOR THIRD PCL TITLE IN TUCSON HISTORY

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TUCSON PCL TITLES

2006: Sidewinders beat Round Rock (Texas) 6-3 on homers from Brian Barden and Robby Hammock and win series 3-0. Record: 97-54. Manager: Chip Hale. Parent club: Arizona.

1993: Toros win series over Portland 4-2, led by Phil Nevin. Record: 87-62. Manager: Rick Sweet. Parent: Astros.

1991: Tucson takes series 3-2 over Calgary on Joe Mikulik’s ninth-inning single to give Toros a 4-3 win at Hi Corbett Field. Record: 82-63. Manager: Bob Skinner. Parent: Astros

TRIPLE-A CHAMPIONSHIP
Who: Tucson vs. Toledo or Rochester

When: 4 p.m. Tuesday

TV: ESPN2. Radio: 1450-AM

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