Aces 10 Rattlers 9

TOTS Senior Baseball Network

60-and-over Aces

Southwest Old Timers League


Pigpen Price singled in the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Aces edged the Arizona Rattlers 10-9 today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Southwest Old Timers Baseball League game.

The Aces, down 8-0 after three innings of play, chipped away at the lead in the middle innings and eventually tied the game with five runs in the fifth, only to see the Rattlers push across a run in the top of the seventh to take a 9-8 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Rattlers went to the bullpen and brought in the hard-throwing Benny Melendez. With one out, the Aces' Bob Daliege walked and Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell doubled to right field, putting runners on second and third. Melendez and the Rattlers' infielders gathered at the mound and elected to intentionally walk the Aces' top home run hitter, Tim Tolson.

With Tolson on first, Barzell on second and Daliege on third, Dave Rhoades stepped in and worked his way to a full count. Melendez fired a fastball just off the corner of the plate and Rhoades walked, allowing Daliege to cross the plate with the tying run.

Price stepped in, worked the count to 2-2, and then hammered a Melendez fastball  to left field, knocking in Barzell with the game-winning run.

George Gafner pitched the first four innings for the Aces and gave way to Doc Thompson in the fifth. Thompson allowed just two hits and one run the rest of the way to pick up the victory in relief.

Chuy Rodriquez homered for the Rattlers in the third inning.