Diamondbacks rock Rockies

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks lost the opener of the three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field and then came roaring back with a 12-5 win on Tuesday and a 9-1 victory tonight.

Arizona, behind the hitting of Mark Trumbo and Paul Goldschmidt, blew by the Rockies in the second game of the series. Trumbo went 4 for 4 and drove in four runs, while Goldy went 3 for 5 with three RBI. The Diamondbacks rattled 15 hits around Chase Field.

Tonight it was more of the same, only this time it was rookie Yasmany Tomas supplying the punch with two hits and three RBI, while catcher Jordan Pacheco singled and drilled a three-run homer. Goldy continued his hard hitting with three more hits -- his third consecutive game with three hits. The Diamondbacks had 13 hits on the night and Josh Collmenter (2-3) pitched eight strong innings to pick up his second win of the season.

Arizona improves to 10-11. The Diamondbacks open a three-game series on Friday in LA with the Dodgers.

Wildcats head for Washington State after knocking around Sun Devils at Hi Corbett

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


It was just one night in a so-so season, but it had to be fun for the players on the University of Arizona baseball team.

Arizona (25-17) pounded out 20 hits and scored 17 runs at Hi Corbett on Tuesday night en route to a 17-6 win over the visiting Arizona State Sun Devils (28-13). The game didn't count in the Pac-12 standings, but the Wildcats, for three hours or so, were a happy bunch.

Arizona freshman J.J. Matijevic went 3 for 4 and was a double shy of hitting for the cycle, while knocking in seven runs. Teammate Bobby Dalbec had a good night as well with four hits in five trips to the plate. Matijevic hit a grand slam homer in the first inning and Dalbec hit his 13th home run of the year in the fifth and knocked in six runs.

Kevin Newman went 5 for 5 and scored five runs.

The Wildcats take on Washington State in Pullman on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There was a time...

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) play baseball three days a week at Udall Park. You have to be at least 60 years of age to play in our league.

But in the beginning... there was a time when all the members of the Tucson Old Timers were young, bright-eyed and ready to venture to the baseball diamond to play America's pastime for the first time.

Nothing has changed. Let me take that back, we have white hair or in some cases no hair, our muscles ache and our reaction time is slim and none.

But much is still the same. The smell of a leather glove, the crack of the bat when contact is made, the aroma of the freshly cut outfield grass, the popping sound of a fastball as it finds the catcher's mitt...and one of the most important sounds of all: "Let's play ball."

The TOTS all have one thing in common: There's still a little kid inside of them, just waiting to take the field.

Tolson blood line alive and well with the Tucson Old Timers baseball club

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The odds of a father and son playing together on the same field at Udall Park as members of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers is a 1,000 to 1 shot, maybe 2,000 to 1 or maybe even 5,000 to 1.

Of course, the Las Vegas odds makers aren't interested in such a scenario and probably wouldn't have a clue that there's a 60-and-over baseball team, playing baseball three days a week, year around, in Tucson, Arizona. They probably are unaware that a bunch of crazy dudes between the ages of 60 to 90 still play America's favorite pastime and have been doing so since 1968.

And a long comes the Tolson Clan.

Brad Tolson, who played with the TOTS from 1991 to 2012 (21 Years) retired from active play the summer of 2012 and handed over his baseball jersey (number 3) to his son, Tim Tolson, a hard-hitting, left-hander who is now in the middle of his third season with the organization. Tolson turns 63 on August 30, 2015 and if he matches his father's 21 years with the TOTS, well that would bring us to the year 2033.

Wow! A span of 42 years. The Tolson name is here to stay as far as the members of the Tucson Old Timers are concerned.

As for the numbers, take a look at Brad's career numbers with the TOTS: Games played 963...At Bats 2,776...Runs 578...Hits 1,288...RBI 801 and career batting average .460.

And...Tim in his three seasons: Games played 268...At Bats 801...Runs 317...Hits 497...RBI 401 and career batting average (through 2014) a hefty .620!

As far as team nicknames go, Brad Tolson is better known as "The Chairman of the Board" and because he's the current home run leader, three years running, we respectively refer to the younger Tolson as "Thunder Tim".


Photos: Father and son, Brad and Tim Tolson.

Pirates sweep Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Pittsburgh Pirates made it a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field today with a 8-0 shutout in the final game of the series. The Diamondbacks had just three hits in the game as they fell to 8-10 on the season.

The Colorado Rockies begin a three-game series at Chase on Monday night. Chase Anderson will take the mound for the D'backs. Anderson (0-0) has had three starts this year and has pitched well in 18 innings of work with 16 strike outs and four walks. The Diamondbacks haven't been able to put any runs on the scoreboard for Anderson and the young pitcher, in his second year with the Diamondbacks, is still looking for his first win in 2015.

Arizona falls to 24-17, 9-12 in Pac 12

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Another tough weekend for the Arizona Wildcats.

California comes into Hi Corbett Field and sweeps the Wildcats, including an 8-3 win today as Arizona falls to 24-17 on the season and 9-12 in Pac-12 play.

Scott Kingery was the only bright spot for the Wildcats today with four hits in five trips to the plate. He leads the conference with an outstanding .441 batting average.

Wildcats have no mercy on Cardinal

Arizona Wildcats Softball


The Arizona Wildcats made use of the mercy rule over the weekend, winning each game of the three-game series at Hillenbrand Stadium against the Stanford Cardinal by double digits -- including a 22-5 victory today.

Chelsea Goodacre hit her 21st home run of the season today to take over the Pac-12 lead in homers by one over teammate Katiyana Mauga. The Wildcats hit six homers in the game, including three alone from Hallie Wilson. Alexis Dotson and Mo Mercado also homered.

Wilson was on fire with four hits in five trips to the plate, while knocking in eight runs.

The 19th-ranked Wildcats improve to 37-12 on the season and 12-6 in the Pac-12 Conference.

Diamondbacks hope to salvage 1 of 3 with Pirates on Sunday

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks will try to salvage 1 of 3 from Pittsburgh on Sunday at Chase Field. Arizona (8-9) lost 4-1 on Friday and 2-1 tonight to the Pirates as the D'backs once again fail to give their starting pitcher run support.

Next up: Jeremy Hellickson (1-2) will take the mound for the Diamondbacks on Sunday, while the Pirates will counter with Francisco Liriano (0-1). Game time 1:10 p.m.

Kerr's Warriors roll through first round of NBA Playoffs

NBA Playoffs


Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors roll on.

Kerr, the former Arizona Wildcat, continues to pull all the right buttons as the coach of the Warriors. After posting a 67-15 regular-season record, Golden State goes 4-0 in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs -- including a 109-98 win tonight over the Pelicans in New Orleans.

Next up: The Memphis Grizzlies or the Portland Trail Blazers. Memphis is up 3-0 in that series, after winning tonight in Portland 115-109.

Tonight, the Warriors handed Kerr his 71st win of the year as Stephen Curry poured in 39 points, while Klay Thompson added 25 and Draymond Green scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Warriors led at the half 67-54.

Way to go, Steve!

Your Wildcat fans are behind you!

TOTS luncheon a huge success

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball



Brian Reilly won the TOT of the year award for 2015 at the annual luncheon, held today at Vivace's Restaurant in north Tucson, while Dave Rhoades, Jeff Helzel and Ron Petersen were announced as this year's Hall of Fame winners. The TOTS Hall of Fame award is awarded to members of the organization who have reached the magic number of 80 -- years of age combined with their "playing years" with the club.

Dennis Crowley took home the Joe Tappero Sportsmanship Award.

This year's guest speaker was Brad Tolson, a former player with the TOTS, who played baseball for the University of Arizona, back in the early 1950s. Brad played with the TOTS from 1991 to 2012 and wore the number 3 proudly for 21 years, before handing over his jersey to his son, Tim, 62, who is currently the youngest member on the club.

Photos by Jesse Ochoa:  Photo 1 (top photo) Dave Rhoades winner of the Hall of Fame award, shown shaking hands with the club manager Ron Carlson. (not pictured are Jeff Helzel and Ron Petersen, both winners of the Hall of Fame award this year). Photo 2 Dennis Crowley receives the Joe Tappero Sportsmanship trophy from Carlson. Photo 3 Brian Reilly shows off his trophy. Reilly won the 2015 TOTS Player of the Year Award. Photo 4 Brad Tolson, 85,  this year's guest speaker (with notes in hand). Photo 5 and the best laugh of the day comes from 83-year-old Jerry Smarik, who showed up with an autographed baseball from Brad of which Jerry has held onto for 21 years. It was Brad's first home run as a TOT, way back in 1991.

Crowd of 4,184 watch ASU-Arizona game at Hi Corbett

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


The fans filtered into Hi Corbett Field to watch Arizona take on visiting Arizona State last night.

It was a record for the season as 4,184 fans went through the turnstiles.

The Arizona fans left disappointed as the Sun Devils, down 4-0 early, battled back for a 6-5 win over the Wildcats.

Arizona falls to 24-14 on the season, while 12th-ranked ASU improves to 26-11.

Scott Kingery continues to lead the Wildcats in hitting. Kingery is batting .433 and has played in 37 of 38 games. Bobby Dalbec leads the team in RBI with 39 -- including an RBI-single in the bottom of the ninth inning last night. Dalbec has reached in all 38 games and is currently on a 15-game hitting streak.

Bradley grabs 2nd win with Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks


Archie Bradley (2-0) shook off a shaky start and ended up tossing a two-hitter for six innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Texas 8-5 tonight at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks earned a split in the two-game set, after wasting another quality start by Chase Anderson on Tuesday night in a disappointing 7-1 loss to the Rangers.

Anderson, who has had three starts this season with a no decision in all three, left Tuesday's game after giving up just one run in seven innings of work. The Arizona bullpen fell apart down the stretch. Tonight, Bradley left the game with a 5-1 lead and once again the bullpen was shaky in the ninth.

Chris Owings tripled and homered for the Diamondbacks tonight. Owings scored twice and drove in two runs.

Arizona improves to 8-7 and awaits the arrival of the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The TOTS give it their all

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball


The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers give it their all on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Udall Park.

Sometimes the ball takes crazy bounces and sometimes the players, ranging in age from 60 to 89, have their moments tracking down the baseball. See below:

Photos by Conrad Royksund...(Top photo) Jerry Hamelin fouls off a pitch from Ron Petersen as the catcher, Lloyd Barzell, looks on. (Photo 2) This one gets away from first baseman Floyd Lance, while Danny Lundwall reaches the base safely. (Photo 3 and 4) Second baseman Bobby Stofft has his troubles holding on to a hard hit grounder while the concerned runner, Pete Peters, looks on. (Photo 5) Danny Lundwall tracks down an elusive pop up. (Photo 6) A meeting at third with shortstop Lloyd Barzell and third baseman Chico Bigham. The runner, Dennis Crowley, is safe and the pitcher Bob Daliege looks on in amazement. (Photo 7) Finally an out as third baseman Joe Opocensky tags the bag for a force out, just ahead of the runner, Dave Rhoades. (Photo 8, bottom) And, of course, if all else fails, there's always Ted's way. Ted Davis is on the injured list, but finds a way to stay semi active (with a water bottle at his side, just in case he needs to quench his thirst).

Wildcats fall to 24-13, 9-9 in Pac-12

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


The Arizona Wildcats lose 2 of 3 in Corvallis, Oregon over the weekend -- including a 5-3 loss to the Beavers today. The Wildcats fall to 24-13 overall and 9-9 in Pac-12 play.

Arizona returns home Wednesday and will tangle with Arizona State (25-11,13-5) at Hi Corbett Field. Game time is 7 p.m.

Diamondbacks take 3 of 4 in San Francisco

Arizona Diamondbacks


Paul Goldschmidt hit his fifth home run, A.J. Pollock continued his hot hitting with three more hits and Chris Owings broke out of slump with three hits and two RBI today in San Francisco as the Arizona Diamondbacks closed out the four-game series with a 5-1 win over the Giants.

The Diamondbacks take 3 of 4 from the Giants and improve to 7-6 on the year.

Jeremy Hellickson (1-2) gets his first win, allowing one run on eight hits. Hellickson got stronger as the game went along, hurling 6 2/3 innings before giving way to the bullpen.

Arizona drops 2 of 3 in Salt Lake City

Arizona Wildcats Softball


The Arizona Wildcats dropped 2 of 3 to Utah, including a 4-2 defeat today in the rubber match in Salt Lake City. The Wildcats return home to face Stanford and will open the three-game series with the Cardinal on Friday at Hillenbrand Stadium.

As for the trip to Utah, it wasn't exactly what the Wildcats had in mind as they fall to 34-12 on the season and 9-6 in Pac-12 play.

Arizona scores two runs today, but collects only three hits in the process.

Katiyana Mauga belted her 20th home run during the Utah series and Chelsea Goodacre ripped her 18th of the season. Mauga and Goodacre are 1-2 in the Pac-12 conference in homers. Goodacre leads the conference in RBI with 68.

Giants snap 8-game losing streak with 4-1 win over Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks


David Peralta led off the fourth with a solo home run, but that would be it for the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park in San Francisco tonight at the Giants win the third game of the four game series, 4-1.

Arizona falls to 6-6 on the season and Rubby De La Rosa (2-1) is saddled with his first loss of the year. De La Rosa struck out seven and walked two in 6 2/3 innings, while allowing three earned runs and nine hits.

Jeremy Hellickson (0-2) takes the mound for the Diamondbacks on Sunday. Game time 1:05 p.m.

The TOTS have some tough left-handed power hitters

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The right field fence at Tucson Udall Park is 300 feet away from home plate.

The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) have four lefties on the current roster of sixty who are capable of depositing the ball in the trees. The four long ball hitters are Tim Tolson, Joe Opocensky, Ron Petersen and Jeff Helzel.

Of the four, Helzel now 74, played professional ball back in the 1960s. The Cincinnati Reds sent Helzel, then 22 years of age, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to play "A" ball with the Red Raiders. Helzel spent one year with the Reds' minor-league affiliate. He went 8 for 52, including a double. A knee injury ended his short stint in the minors, but as he proudly confesses, "I had my shot."

Helzel spends a lot of time on the golf course these days, but when he does play for the TOTS, the outfielders take a position just one step from the fence.

Currently, the TOTS home run leader is 62-year-old Tim Tolson. One of the youngest member on the ball club, Tolson is a sure bet to send the ball to the trees, if he gets a pitch which allows him to extend his arms. If he gets one in his wheelhouse, you can kiss the ball "goodbye".

Opocensky, is a rookie with the TOTS and at 65 years of age is another one of the young guns in the organization, while Petersen, 70, has been with the TOTS for ten years. After a recent at bat, Petersen said, "The homers don't come as often now."

One thing is for sure, the four players have one thing in common: they're still reaching for the fences.

Photos: 1(at top) Helzel, photo 2 Tolson, photo 3 Opocensky, photo 4 Petersen.

The NBA Playoffs are finally here

NBA Playoffs


I don't consider myself a true professional basketball fan, until the NBA Playoffs come around.

And they are here.

Of course, I'll have to go with my main man Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors to win it all. I mean, what is a Arizona Wildcat fan supposed to do, after all I still remember Kerr (it seems decades ago) drilling those three-pointers and leading the Wildcats to victory.

If I put it all into perspective, I would probably show a lot of respect to the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs could win it all. San Antonio and Golden State are my favorites to battle for the Western Conference Title. As for the Eastern Conference, this may be the year for the Cleveland Cavs to get the job done, make it to the NBA Final and win it.

But I'm getting behind Kerr for now. After all, the man is a winner. This year 67-15. What a winning percentage!

Of course, everyone starts fresh in the playoffs.

Go Steve Kerrrrrrrrrr!

Collmenter tosses complete-game shutout

Arizona Diamondbacks


Josh Collmenter goes the distance and shuts down the Giants in San Francisco 9-0 on Friday night as the Arizona Diamondbacks make it two in a row over the defending national champs to improve to 6-5 on the season.

Collmenter (1-2) fires a four-hitter and helps his own cause with a three-hit night, while his teammates bang out another 15 hits -- including four hits by A.J. Pollock and three by David Peralta.

The four-game series continues tonight at AT&T Park with Rubby De La Rosa (2-0) on the mound for the Diamondbacks, while the Giants counter with Chris Heston (1-1).

Hill's 2-run double in 12th lifts D'backs to win over Giants

Arizona Diamondbacks


Aaron Hill hit a two-run double in the top of the 12th inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco tonight as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Giants 7-6 in the first game of a four-game series.

Hill's game-winning hit off Sergio Romo ended a frustrating night for manager Chip Hale and the Diamondbacks. Arizona held a 4-0 lead early and starter Archie Bradley went 6 2/3 innings, giving up just four hits and two runs, but the Diamondbacks bullpen couldn't get the job done down the stretch and the game went into extra innings.

By the time the dust had cleared, Hale had used his entire bullpen and the last man standing turned out to be Randall Delgado, who hurls the final two innings to pick up the win -- giving up one run in the bottom of the 12th inning and the tying run was left stranded at second base.

Mark Trumbo homered in the second inning, Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run shot in the fifth and A.J. Pollock hit a solo shot in the 10th.

Arizona improves to 5-5 and the Giants fall to 3-8.

Padres edge Diamondbacks, 3-2

Arizona Diamondbacks


Justin Upton hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning and closer Craig Kimbrel shut down the Diamondbacks in the top of the ninth for his third save of the season as the San Diego Padres edged Arizona 3-2 tonight at Petco Park.

Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run homer for the D'backs -- his third of the year, and a good outing by Chase Anderson was wasted. Anderson scattered eight hits and allowed two runs in six innings of work, but gave way to Randall Delgado in the seventh. Delgado allowed one hit, unfortunately for the D'backs, the hit sailed into the left field bleachers -- the third home run of the season for Upton.

Arizona (4-5) heads for San Francisco and a four-game series with the Giants. Rookie Archie Bradley (1-0) will take the mound on Thursday in the opening game of the series for the Diamondbacks, while Madison Bumgarner (1-1) will take the hill for the Giants.

Fallin' sports heroes

I was glued to the television screen this morning and watched the facial expression of Aaron Hernandez as he received his sentence for the shooting death of Odin Lloyd -- life in prison without parole.

His expression: none. I, on the other hand, shook my head...bewildered. What happened to the gifted athlete who signed a 40 million dollar contract, had the world by the tail and in one giant swoop goes from the football field with 70,000 screaming fans, cheering his every move, to a jail cell for life?

Everyday, I turn on the television (and I'm beginning to wonder why I do) to witness another senseless act. Twenty years ago, I was a newspaper sports reporter and had the privilege of covering many talented high school athletes, all with a pen in their hand -- signing on the dotted line and instantly opening up the gate to a professional career in sports.

There was a time when Hernandez held a pen in his hand. He would soon become a tight end for the New England Patriots. There was a time when a young man from the University of Southern California would sign on the dotted line and would soon become one of the best running backs to ever play in the National Football League. His  name: O.J. Simpson. We all know how that story ended.

Fallin' sports heroes.

A sad ending in both cases.

And the worst of all. Both men could have done so much, enriched so many young lives and used their wealth to make the world a better place. Instead, they destroyed their lives and the lives of so many others.

Diamondbacks limited to 3 hits in loss to Padres

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks lose 5-1 tonight at Petco Field in San Diego.

Odrisamer Despaigne had the Diamondbacks number tonight, allowing just two hits in seven innings of work. Arizona finished with just three hits on the night -- doubles by Mark Trumbo and Jake Lamb and a single by Paul Goldschmidt.

With the series tied up at 1-1, the Diamondbacks (4-4) will send Chase Anderson to the mound on Wednesday against San Diego's Brandon Morrow. Both pitchers will be looking for their first win of the season.

Wildcats score 6 runs in top of the 9th to beat ASU

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


The Arizona Wildcats scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning tonight at Phoenix Municipal Stadium and beat Arizona State 7-2 to salvage the final game of the three-game series with the Sun Devils.

Bobby Dalbec hit two home runs in the game -- including a two-run blast to start the six-run rally in the ninth. Dalbec, who pitched 4 1/3 innings to start the game, now has 10 home runs this season to lead the Pac-12 Conference.

Tyger Talley (4-0) picked up the win in relief.

Arizona improves to 23-11 overall and 8-7 in conference play.

De La Rosa goes to 2-0

Arizona Diamondbacks


Rubby De La Rosa (2-0) pitches six strong innings for his second win of the season and Ender Inciarte goes 3 for 5 and drives in four runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks open their road trip in San Diego tonight with an 8-4 win over the Padres.

Arizona improves to 4-3 on the season, while the Padres fall to 4-4.

Arizona down 2-0 in three-game series with ASU

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


The University of Arizona baseball team will try to salvage the final game of a three-game series with Arizona State tonight in Phoenix. Arizona lost the opener 5-4 on Saturday and fell behind early on Sunday, losing 13-7.

In Sunday's loss, Bobby Dalbec hit his eighth home run of the season -- the most homers by a Wildcat since Rob Refsnyder hit eight in 2012.

Arizona falls to 22-11 overall and 7-7 in Pac-12 play.

Arizona improves to 33-10, 8-4 in Pac 12

Arizona Wildcats Softball



The Arizona Wildcats improve to 33-10 overall and 8-4 in the Pac 12 Conference over the weekend as they capped off the three-game series at Hillenbrand Stadium on Sunday with an 18-10 thumping of the Washington Huskies.

The 16th-ranked Wildcats take 2 of 3 from the Huskies and head for Salt Lake City for a three-game series with Utah next weekend.

Katiyana Mauga belted two homers on Sunday to lead the Wildcats. Mauga has 19 home runs on the season. Chelsea Goodacre is right behind her with 17 homers.

Diamondbacks are 3-3

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks couldn't get the sweep as the Dodgers win the finale 7-4 today at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks win the three-game series 2 games to 1, their first series win over the Dodgers since May of 2014.

Zack Grienke (1-0) goes seven innings and picks up the win for the Dodgers, while Arizona's Josh Collmenter (0-2) hurls five innings, allows nine hits and three runs and is saddled with his second loss of the season.

A.J. Pollock doubled in three runs for Arizona (3-3) in the bottom of the ninth.

Next up: The Padres in San Diego. The three-game series begins tomorrow night as newcomer Rubby De La Rossa (1-0) goes for his second win of the season for the Diamondbacks.

A wire-to-wire record breaker at Masters for Spieth

The Final Round at the Masters


Jordan Spieth goes wire to wire, carding a four-day total of 270, to win the Masters today in Augusta by four strokes over Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson.

The 21-year-old ties the old record of 18 under established by Tiger Woods back in 1997 by firing a 64 on Day 1, a 66 on Day 2, a 70 on Day 3 and finally a brilliant 70 under enormous pressure today.

As for Tiger Woods, he shoots a 1-over 73 and finishes at 5-under-par for the tournament, showing signs of the Tiger of old at times, and at other times struggled to get to the green.

Tiger, 39, is back, but now has the young Spieth to contend with for the next few years.

Bradley blanks Dodgers

Arizona Diamondbacks


I guess you could say it was Archie Bradley's day.

In his first start with the Diamondbacks, the 22-year-old right-hander allowed one hit, struck out six and walked four in six innings of work as Arizona beat the LA Dodgers 6-0 today at Chase Field to go up 2-0 in the three-game series.

Bradley also singled in his first at bat as a member of the Diamondbacks.

The Arizona bullpen made sure they kept the shutout intact as Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth inning and Randall Delgado handled things in the ninth, allowing just one hit. Ziegler recorded one strike out and Delgado fanned two.

It wasn't Clayton Kershaw's day. The National League MVP in 2014, pitched 6 1/3 innings and  allowed 10 hits -- including a two-run home run by Paul Goldschmidt in the seventh inning. It was Goldy's second home run of the season, both have come off the Dodgers.

Arizona (3-2) goes for the sweep on Sunday at 1:10 pm as Josh Collmenter takes the mound for the Diamondbacks and Zack Greinke gets the call for the Dodgers.

Spieth fire a 2-under 70 on Day 3 at the Masters

Day 3 at the Masters


Jordan Spieth fires a 2-under-par 70 at the Masters today, establishing a 54-hole record of an even 200 strokes (64-66-70) for the prestigious golf tournament.

Spieth is 16 strokes under par and holds a four stroke advantage over Justin Rose, his playing partner for the final round on Sunday.

Phil Mickelson shot a 67 today and is in third place at 11-under-par, one stroke ahead of his playing partner for Sunday, Charley Hoffman, whlie Tiger Woods carded a 4-under-par 68 today and will join Rory McIlroy on the first tee tomorrow in the third pairing.

Woods, McIlroy, Kevin Na, Kevin Streelman and Dustin Johnson are all bunched up at 6-under-par.

The final day should be a real barn burner.

Diamondbacks edge the Dodgers 4-3 in 10 innings

Arizona Diamondbacks


Ender Inciarte singled in Cliff Pennington from third in the bottom of the 10th inning tonight at Chase Field as the Diamondbacks edge the LA Dodgers, 4-3.

Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run home run in the third inning and had three hits on the night as the Diamondbacks improve their early-season record to 2-2.

The three-game series continues tomorrow with Clayton Kershaw going for the Dodgers, while the Diamondbacks counter with Archie Bradley, who gets his first start for Arizona.

Team White wins TOTS' night game, 15-9

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White knocked off Team Blue 15-9 tonight at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball game.

The game  was a real nail-biter until the bottom of the fifth inning when Team White plated three runs  to break a 9-9 tie.

With two outs, Dave Rhoades hit an opposite field double to right field and Pigpen Price scored all the way from first base to break the tie and Dick Ducklow followed with a two-run single to left field to give Team White a 12-9 lead.

Team White added three insurance runs in the sixth inning. Ducklow went 4 for 4  on the night and drove in four runs, while Rhoades went 3 for 5 and drove in four runs. Price reached base five times during the game, scoring four runs while contributed three singles.

John Misiaszek was the big gun for Team Blue with three hits in four trips to the plate.

Doc Thompson relieved Price in the third inning and pitched five innings to pick up the win, while Arnie White, who struck out eight Team White hitters, was saddled with the loss, due mainly to some costly infield errors in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings.

Photos: 1) Dave Rhoades  2) Dick Ducklow  3) Pigpen Price  4) John Misiaszek

Spieth establishes 2-day record at Masters

Day 2 at the Masters


It's still the Jordan Spieth show at the Masters.

Spieth cards a 66 on Day 2 and his two-day total of 130 (64-66) establishes a new record at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia.

The 21-year-old owns a five shot lead over Charley Hoffman (67-68) as the Masters heads into play for the weekend.

There are plenty of golfers giving chase, including Tiger Woods, who regrouped on Day 2 and fired a 3-under par 69, his first round under par at the Masters since 2011. Woods heads into the weekend with a two-day total of 142 (73-69). 12 strokes behind the high-flying Spieth.

TOTS to play under the lights Friday night

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball at Udall Park, April 10, 2015


Members of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club will be on display at Udall Park on Friday night. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

The TOTS normally play just after the sun comes up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Udall, but will wait until the sun goes down on Friday for a seven-inning game under the lights.

Taking the mound for Team Blue will be 64-year-old right-hander Lloyd Barzell, while Team White will counter with 69-year-old right-hander Pigpen Price.

Team White will field a hard-hitting lineup which includes speedster Dennis Crowley, along with  left-handed power hitter Tim Tolson, the club's home run leader, and two right-handed long ball hitters, Doc Thompson and Dave Rhoades.

Team Blue will counter with two left-handed power hitters of their own,  Ron Petersen and Joe Opocensky, along with three of the TOTS' top contact hitters, Jesse Ochoa, John Misiaszek and Arnie White.

Also playing for Team Blue are Ron Carlson, Bob Royer and Jerry Hamelin, while Chico Bigham, Leon Glasshoffer, Ted Davis and Dick Ducklow complete the Team White lineup.

The oldest player on the field Friday night will be Team Blue first baseman Floyd Lance, 89 years young.

Go get 'em, TOTS! The spotlight will be on you!

21-year-old Spieth fires a 64 at Masters

Day 1 at the Masters


Jordan Spieth, 21, fires an 8-under par 64 to take a three stroke lead in the opening round on Thursday at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia.

Spieth carded nine birdies in his round.

Ernie Els, Jason Day, Justin Rose and Charley Hoffman are tied for second.

Tiger Woods struggled the entire round today, but fought his way to a 1-over 73. It certainly wasn't the Tiger of old as he struggled from the tee, but his short game was right on, giving him a fighting chance on Day 2 to make the cut for the weekend.

Giants 5 Diamondbacks 2

Arizona Diamondbacks


Chris Heston (1-0) limited the Diamondbacks to just three hits over six innings and San Francisco (2-1) beat Arizona 5-2 tonight at Chase Field to capture the three-game series, two games to one.

Arizona (1-2) finished with just five hits on the night, while the Giants managed 14 hits. Jeremy Hellickson (0-1) pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Diamondbacks and was saddled with the loss.

The LA Dodgers are in town on Friday to begin a three-game series with the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Baseball Games of the Past: Aaron hits 715th home run

Games of the Past

April 8, 1974

Henry Aaron passes Babe Ruth with his 715th home run


On April 8, 1974, Henry Aaron stepped to to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning and hit his 715th home run of his career over the left-center field fence and the Atlanta Braves went on to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4.

Aaron's blast off the Dodger starter Al Downing bolted the Atlanta left fielder by the great Babe Ruth and ended the chase for baseball's leading home run leader. Ruth's record of 714 stood for 39 years. Ruth hit his final career home run at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh on May 25, 1935.

Aaron's history-making home run was before a national television audience and in front of 53,775 fans at Atlanta Stadium. Hammerin' Hank was 40 years old when he broke Ruth's record and he would retire at 42 with 755 home runs.


FYI: The top five all time home run leaders --

1. Barry Bonds         762

2. Henry Aaron        755

3. Babe Ruth            714

4. Willie Mays         660

5. Alex Rodriguez   654**

**Rodriguez, 39, is 1 for 2 and walk in 2015 with the New York Yankees. The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) and the New York Yankees (0-1) play the second game of a three-game series tonight in New York.

On the Lamb

Arizona Diamondbacks


Jake Lamb, the Diamondbacks third baseman, hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning and finished with four RBI on the night as Arizona edged San Francisco 7-6 tonight at Chase Field for the club's first win of the season.

Lamb, who contributed a three-run double on Monday in the Diamondbacks 5-4 loss to the Giants, picked up an RBI on a ground out in the second inning and has knocked in seven runs in two games.

David Peralta hit a three-run shot in the third inning and Rubby De La Rosa pitched 5 1/3 innings to pick up the victory. Addison Reed gets his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

As for Arizona's new manager Chip Hale, he gets his first win.

Arizona (1-1) will go after the series' win tomorrow night when they send Jeremy Hellickson to the mound at Chase Field.

Rattlers rattle Aces

Southwest Senior Baseball League

60-and-over Aces

The Aces scored five runs, banged out 12 hits and received a complete-game performance from right-hander Arnie White, but had an off day defensively and lost to the Arizona Ratters 9-5 today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Southwest Baseball League game.

The Rattlers scored two unearned runs in the top of the first inning when second baseman Pigpen Price booted a double play ball, but the Aces battled back and led 3-2 after two innings of play.

In the middle innings, more fielding errors by the Aces, and by the time the seventh inning rolled around the game was deadlocked at 5-5.

With two-out in the top of the seventh inning, Aces' left fielder Pete Peters misjudged a fly ball and the Rattlers rallied for four runs. The Aces went quietly in the bottom of the seventh and the Rattlers walked away with the win.

"We made too many errors today and had a few mental errors to go along with it," said Aces manager Jerry Hamelin.

White pitched well and helped himself at the plate with a 3 for 3 day.

Sometimes... things just don't work out.

Photo: Arnie White

Diamondbacks lose opener

Arizona Diamondbacks



The San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 tonight at Chase Field in front of 49,043 fans to open the 2015 season.

The Diamondbacks starter Josh Collmenter (0-1) was saddled with the loss and Madison Bumgarner (1-0) picked up the win for the Giants. Jake Lamb contributed a three-run double for the Diamondbacks in the eighth inning and Mark Trumbo tripled in a run in the third.

As for Chip Hale, the former Arizona Wildcat star and the new manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks, he'll be looking for his first victory when the three-game series with the Giants continues on Tuesday night.

Duke wins it!

March Madness

NCAA Basketball Championship


Duke wins it!

Duke  68  Wisconsin  63


Wisconsin didn't throw down 10 three-pointers in the second half tonight in Indianapolis. In fact, the Badgers made just 7 of 21 from outside the arc on the night.

Go figure!

Wisconsin and Duke in NCAA Final

NCAA Basketball Tournament

Final Four

Duke   81  Michigan State  61

Wisconsin 71  Kentucky  64

Duke and Wisconsin for the title on Monday night.

A sweep in Corvallis

Arizona Wildcats Softball

After knocking off the Oregon State Beavers 9-3 in Corvallis, Oregon, on Thursday, the Arizona Wildcats decide to make it a clean sweep, winning a doubleheader today, 7-2 and 22-3.

Arizona improves to 31-9 overall and 6-3 in Pac-12 play.

Kellie Fox and Hallie Wilson are battling for the top spot among the Wildcat hitters. Both players are tied for the team lead in hits with 51, Fox is hitting .415 (51 for 123), while Wilson is right behind her at .395 (51 for 129).

Katiyana Mauga and Chelsea Goodacre are both on a power trip. The two long ball hitters will enter this week's action with 16 home runs apiece.

Arizona returns home for a three-game Pac-12 series with Washington with the first game scheduled  for Friday at Hillenbrand. Game time 6 p.m.

Arizona's Kingery batting .477

Arizona Wildcats Baseball


Scott Kingery is swinging a hot bat for the Arizona Wildcats.

USC made it a three-game sweep over the Wildcats at Hi Corbett Field with a 4-1 win on Thursday, a 13-6 thumping on Friday and a 10-9 win on Saturday, despite Kingery's hot hitting at the plate. Kingery goes 10 for 15 against the Trojans and raises his season batting average to .477 (63 for 132).

Arizona falls to 22-9 overall and 7-5 in Pac-12 play.

The Wildcats head north April 11-13 to take on ASU in a three-game Pac-12 series at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Gritty, old-time catchers are hard to find

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball


Finding a 60-and-over catcher to strap on the gear and lower the body into a squatting position for two hours, maybe three hours in some cases, takes some doing.

Luckily,  the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club has a history of finding such an animal who is willing to get behind the plate and handle the many chores required for the job -- everything from catching off-target fastballs to slow-and-in-the-dirt curve balls. For every pitch from the mound, there has to be a return throw...and for those pop ups behind the plate, well then, that's an adventure.

See the TOTS catchers in action in photos below:

Photos: (1 thru 4) Ron Carlson, (photos 5-7) Brian Reilly, (photo 8) Danny Boxberger, (photos 9-10) Dennis Crowley, photos (11-12) Mike Steele, (photo 13) Lloyd Barzell, (photo 14) Chuck Sabalos, (photos 15-16) Chico Bigham and (photo 17), at very bottom, Mr. Carlson taking a well-earned break.

Pistol Pete Peters top hitter for TOTS in March

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball


The March winds came and went and 66-year-old Pistol Pete Peters made sure he filled the air above  Udall Park with baseballs. Peters didn't mind the wind at all as he banged out 39 hits in 55 trips to the plate for a hefty .709 batting average to lead all the TOTS hitters during the month of March.

Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell led the club in runs scored for the month with 24. Barzell, who batted .538, banged out 28 hits to finish second in that category, while his 13 RBI was third on the club, behind Tim Tolson (22) and Pigpen Price (17).

Other top hitters for the month of March included: Brian Reilly (21 for 37, a .568 average), Bob Daliege (20 for 31, a .645 average), Dennis Crowley (20 for 41, a .488 average), Dick Ducklow (20 for 41, a .488 average) and Tolson (19 for 41, a .463 average). Tolson led the club in home runs with one and doubles with seven.

Pete Peters (above photo) led the TOTS with 39 hits and a .709 batting average for the month of March.

Potent lineup lifts Team Blue to a 19-4 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Sometimes things just fall into place.

Today at Udall Park, Team Blue banged out 22 hits and the first four batters in the lineup went a combined 15 for 15 and scored 16 runs in a 19-4 victory over Team White.

Doc Thompson, batting third in the lineup, went 4 for 4 and drove in six runs, while lead-off man Brian Reilly went 4 for 4, Dennis Crowley followed with a 3 for 3 day and a walk and cleanup hitter Tim Tolson banged out four hits in four trips to plate. The four batters scored 16 of the 19 runs.

The slugfest came just two days after an old-fashioned pitching duel at Udall Park when Team Blue edged Team White, 5-4.

It was April Fools' Day, but it was no joke for Team White's pitching staff, which included right-handers Danny Lundwall and Jesse Ochoa.

"It was a killer lineup," said Lundwall, who pitched the first five innings before giving way to Ochoa in the sixth.

As for Crowley, Team Blue's starting pitcher, it was just his day. He pitched all seven innings for Team Blue and picked up the easy win.

The TOTS will be back on the field on Friday. Game time 9:30 a.m.

Photo: Doc Thompson