Rattlers edge Aces, 12-11

Southwest Old Timers Baseball League

60-and-over Aces



The Arizona Rattlers, down 11-7, rally for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to edge the 60-and-over Aces in a Southwest Old Timers Baseball League game today at Mission Manor Park.

The Aces scored five runs in the fourth inning and three more in the the top of the sixth to take what seemed like a comfortable four-run lead. But a couple of fielding errors proved costly and the Aces' fall to 4-4 on the season.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Aces' Bob Daliege doubled down the right field line. With the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run at the plate, it looked like the Aces had something going, but Pigpen Price was jammed on the first pitch from the Rattlers right-hander Ernie Hernandez and hit a slow roller down third. Price was thrown out by two steps. Pistol Pete Peters followed with a two-hopper to third for the second out and Hernandez then struck out Billy Heiny to end the game.

The Rattlers used three pitchers in the game, Benny Melendez, George Gafner and Hernandez. Hernandez pitches the final two innings to pick up the hard-fought victory. Right-hander Chico Bigham went the distance for the Aces and pitched well, but some key fielding errors and a hamstring injury to starting shortstop, Lloyd Barzell, led to the defeat.