Wildcats win Pac-12 opener

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The 18th-ranked Arizona Wildcats, down 32-26 at the half, outscored the Golden Bears by 11 in the second half and beat California  67-62 at Haas Pavillion in Berkeley tonight to pick up an important Pac-12 Conference road win.

The Wildcats win their Pac-12 opener thanks in part to Kobi Simmons, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, while three of his teammates also scored in double figures with Dusan Ristic leading the way with 16 points. Laura Markkanen netted 13 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double and Rawle Alkins chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.

Arizona, down by as many as 13 points early in the first half, improved its field goal shooting in the second half and finished with a 44.4 field goal percentage. The Wildcats out rebounded the Golden Bears, 40-35.

Point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright returned to action for the Wildcats tonight. PJC dished out four assists, grabbed four rebounds and no turnovers in 20 minutes of action.

The Wildcats improve to 12-2 and now own a 1-0 slate in the Pac-12.

Way to go, Wildcats!

TOTS last game of the year goes to Team Blue, 10-7

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Tim Boyd went 3 for 3, scored three times and knocked in a run, while starter Doc Thompson was masterful for five innings as Team Blue beat Team White 10-7 in the final Tucson Old Timers game of the year today at Udall Park.

Thompson mixed in his fastball with some roundhouse curve balls to keep Team White guessing in the early innings, before giving way to reliever Dan Lundwall in the sixth and Boyd in the seventh. Pete Maldonado went the distance for Team White and was saddled with the loss.

Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price, batted 1-2 in the lineup for Team White and scored five of the seven runs. Daliege went 3 for 3 and scored three times for Team White, while Price had two hits and scored twice.

The Catch of the Day came from Team White's outfielder A.C. Edwards, who made a shoestring catch in the top of the seventh inning.

The TOTS will begin their 49th season on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Game time 10 a.m.

Photo: Doc Thompson, the winning pitcher for Team Blue today in the final game of 2016 for the Tucson Old Timers.

Mathews, Price lead Team White to 4-3 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Pigpen Price reached base three times, scored twice and drove in the winning run as Team White edged Team Blue 4-3 today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning and the score tied at 3-3, Price reached base on a fieldier's choice play. Team Blue shortstop Pete Peters picked up Price's slow roller, threw to second for one out, but the throw to first was late and a run scored, giving Team White the 4-3 lead.

Team White's Arnie White mowed down Team Blue in the sixth and in the seventh inning to pick up the pitching victory. Team Blue's hard-throwing Reed Palmer, who stands 6-6, struck out five batters and when he released a pitch off the mound, the lanky right-hander looked more like a 7-foot giant.

John Mathews had two hits for Team White and knocked in three runs -- including a 2-run triple in the bottom of the first inning.

"Reed throws hard," Price said. "I reached base three times, but I never got the ball out of the infield. Sometimes a slow roller can be just as good as a hard shot to the outfield."

White struck out four as both pitchers showed plenty of control on the mound.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday, weather permitting.

Comanche drops in a career-high 14 points in Arizona's easy win over the Lobos

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The 18th-ranked Arizona Wildcats received double-figure scoring from five players -- including a career-high 14 points from Chance Comanche en route to an easy 77-46 non-conference win tonight  over the visiting New Mexico Lobos at the McKale Center.

Rawle Alkins hauled down a career-best 11 rebounds and scored 13 points, while Lauri Markkanen finished with 13 points and nine rebounds. Kobi Simmons chipped in 11 points, while Kadeem Allen had a great all around night with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Arizona held the Lobos to just 16 points in the first half and remained on cruise control through out the second half, out rebounding New Mexico, 49-30. The Wildcats had 14 assists on the night with Comanche on the receiving end of many of those.

The Wildcats improve to 11-2 and take a break, before beginning Pac-12 Conference action at California on Dec. 30.

2-run 6th lifts Team White to 4-2 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Tim Boyd struck out two and out-dueled Doc Thompson today at Udall Park as Team White edged Team Blue, 4-2, in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

With the score deadlocked at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, three consecutive hits by Mike Steele, Pete Peters and Tim Tolson loaded the bases for Team White. The next two batters -- Boyd and Pigpen Price reached base on throwing errors and Steele and Peters scampered home with the go ahead run and an insurance run.

Boyd took care of matters in the top of the seventh inning and Team White escaped with a hard-fought win. Thompson pitched well, but was saddled with the hard-luck loss. Reed Palmer knocked in both runs for Team Blue and Price went 2 for 3 and knocked in two of the four runs for Team White.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday.

Wildcats blow big lead, but still edge the Aggies

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

With a seven-man rotation it is very hard for the Arizona Wildcats to keep the engine running for a solid 40 minutes. Arizona, up by 22 points at the Toyota Center in Houston, found themselves with the foot off the pedal for nine minutes in the second half and survive a late rally by Texas A&M for a 67-63 win over the Aggies.

Arizona, ranked No. 19 in the nation by the AP Poll, led at the half 41-28, but were outscored by the Aggies 35-26 in the second half. The Wildcats did get double-figure scoring from Dusan Ristic with 18 points, Lauri Markkanen with 17, Kobi Simmons with 14 and Rawle Alkins with 12. The other Arizona starter, Kadeem Allen, scored only two points but he just may have been the main man on the court for the Wildcats with seven rebounds, four assists, five steals and just three turnovers in 36 minutes of court time.

Arizona improves to 10-2 and head home and get ready for a matchup at McKale on Tuesday night against New Mexico.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Arizona beats Grand Canyon, 64-54

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


It wasn't pretty. In fact it was down right ugly at times as 19th-ranked Arizona turns the ball over 19 times in a 64-54 win at McKale Center tonight over the visiting Antelopes from Grand Canyon University.

Kobi Simmons led the Wildcats with 13 points, while Lauri Markkanen, Dusan Ristic and Rawle Alkins added 11 points apiece. Kadeem Allen had eight points, but committed four fouls as the Wildcats struggled once again with a seven-man rotation.

The Wildcats out rebounded the Antelopes 42-29, but the 19 turnovers was an eye opener for coach Sean Miller, along with the fact the Wildcats dished out only nine assists.

Arizona improves to 9-2. The Wildcats head for Houston on Saturday and a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Toyota Center.

Wildcats move up to No. 19 in AP Poll

Arizona Wildcats Basketball



Congrats to Arizona Wildcats!

Arizona moves up to No. 19 in AP Men's Basketball Poll.

The Wildcats (8-2) take on Grand Canyon at McKale Wednesday night at 9 p.m.

Another late one for the Wildcats!

Note: Villanova remains at No. 1 with UCLA at No. 2. Gonzaga and Butler, the two teams with wins over the Wildcats, are 8th and 18th, respectively.

Old Pueblo Club edges Tucson Aces with come-from-behind win

Tucson Aces

60-and-over baseball


Old Pueblo Club  9   Tucson Aces  7

The Tucson Aces traveled to Santa Rita Park this morning and took on the Old Pueblo Club in a 60-and-over baseball game. Final score:  Old Pueblo Club  9  Tucson Aces  7.

The Aces put together a five-run inning in the top of the fifth -- capped off by a two-run single up the middle by Pigpen Price to take a 6-3 lead, but Old Pueblo battled back with a five-run inning of their own and added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth and enjoyed a 9-6 advantage as the game moved on to the seventh and final inning.

The Aces picked up a run on a double by Thunder Tim Tolson and with two outs had runners at the corners in the top of the seventh. To top it off the Aces had the meat of the order up -- John Mathews at the plate and hard-hitting lefty Reed Palmer on deck.

Mathews, who had doubled back in the fifth with a blast over the head of Old Pueblo's left fielder Bobby Long, hit a high hopper in front of the plate and was called out on a questionable call by the umpire, who said Mathews was hit by the ball in fair territory.

Still, a very competitive game. The Aces' starting pitcher Pete Maldonado was saddled with the loss, while Chris Carino, who relieved Old Pueblo's starter Joe Jimenez in the fifth inning, picked up the win.

The Aces hit the ball well through out the game with hard hit balls from Ron Petersen, Palmer, Price, Tolson and Mathews, but the five-run fifth by Old Pueblo turned the tide.

Another year in the books for Bookemdanosports

Time marches on and so does bookemdanosports.

My sports blog has been around since 2009 and here we are heading into 2017 with my total posts nearing the 3,000 mark.

Merry Christmas and a happy 2017 to all my readers!

Photo: Dan Price -- Bookemdanosports

Wildcats pound Mizzou's zone with 13 long-range three-pointers

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


Arizona pounded Mizzou's zone, making 13 of 24 from beyond the arc today in Columbia, and went on to a 79-60 win over the Tigers. Rawle Alkins and Kobi Simmons combined for 38 points, hitting 7 of 13 three-point attempts.

Arizona improves to 8-2, despite committing 22 fouls. Lauri Markkanen, Arizona's top scorer, could never get untracked in this one, as once again, the whistle seemed to blow every time he got the ball. Markkanen fouled out late in the second half with eight points and six rebounds.

Alkins and Simmons finished with 19 points apiece, while Kadeem Allen added 14 points and Dusan Ristic chipped in 12. Keanu Pinder and Alkins hauled in 18 of Arizona's 46 rebounds.

Arizona shot 8 of just 10 free throws, while the Tigers made 20 of 30 attempts. The whistle seems to follow the Wildcats, but thanks to their best performance of the year from beyond the arc and a tough effort defensively in the second half -- allowing the Tigers just 24 points -- led to an impressive win in Columbia.

Way to go, Wildcats.

Ristic's double-double leads Wildcats to easy win over UCI

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


Dusan Ristic's double-double and another solid outing from the Wildcats other seven-footer Lauri Markkanen led Arizona to an easy 79-57 win tonight at McKale over UC-Irvine.

Ristic, who scored 14 points in the first half, finished the game with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while his counterpart Markkanen chipped in 18 points as well, hitting 7 of 10 shots and 4 of 6 from three-point land. Ristic did all his damage underneath the bucket with eight field goals on 11 attempts.

Chance Comanche fouled out midway through the second half and walk-on Tyler Trillo logged 13   minutes of court time. The Wildcats are still without the services of Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Allonzo Trier.

Arizona improves to 7-2 on the season.

Arizona slips to No. 20 in AP Poll

Arizona Wildcats Basketball



The Arizona Wildcats basketball team slipped to No. 20 in the latest AP Poll, released today. The UCLA Bruins bolted to No. 2, just behind the top team in the land, Villanova.

Arizona (6-2) with three freshmen in the starting lineup host UC-Irvine at McKale on Tuesday.

Stranded! 90-feet away from victory!

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Lefty Ron Petersen tried his best to pick up a win today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game.

After all, Petersen, 71,  pitched all seven innings for Team White and held Team Blue to three runs. With the game tied at 3-3 with one out in the bottom of the seventh, Petersen stepped to the plate and drilled a fastball from Team Blue reliever Dan Lundwall to the fence in center field. Petersen scampered safely all the way to third base as the relay throw was late.

Petersen was 90-feet away from a pitching victory and a win for his team. The next batter popped up to Team Blue's first baseman Lloyd Barzell for the second out and the next batter hit a high fly ball to the edge of the infield grass and shortstop Tim Boyd made the catch to end the game.

A kiss-your-sister game. No winner. No loser. A tie. It's not known where the slogan originated from. The TOTS, of course, have been an organized amateur baseball team for close to 50 years. The oldest player on the TOTS is 91, which brings us all the way back to 1925.

So, somewhere long before 1925, someone must have come up with the slogan, which is commonly used for all sports, not just baseball. Why not call it kiss your brother. Who knows? Why not say, "uncle" and just give up. It's a tie.

No matter how the game and the results were referenced today at Udall Park, fun was had by all. A well played game by both sides -- only four balls were hit out of the infield and just three hits went for extra bases -- the triple by Petersen and doubles by Team White's Tim Tolson and Team Blue's Tim Boyd.

One thing is for sure, most of the players on the Tucson Old Timers will kiss their wife "goodbye" and head for Udall Park on Wednesday for another game, hoping for anything but a "kiss your sister" game.

Photo: Ron Petersen, 90-feet away from a win today at Udall Park.

Cold shooting Wildcats fall to Gonzaga, 69-62

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The 16th-ranked Arizona Wildcats shot 38.6 percent from the field, missed nine of 26 free throws and made one 3-point shot in 40 minutes of play as they fall to 8th-ranked Gonzaga 69-62 today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The score was a lot worse for most of the game as the Wildcats big men couldn't stop the 7-1 center for the Bulldogs, Przemek Karnowski, who scored 18 points -- canning nine of 13 shots from underneath the bucket.

The Wildcats, down by 12 points at halftime 38-26, fought their way back in the second half and managed to outscore the Bulldogs, 36-31.  Arizona out rebounded Gonzaga, 39-32, and finished the game with four players in double figures. Freshmen Rawle Alkins scored 16 points and Lauri Markkanen scored 14, while Dusan Ristic added 12 and Kadeem Allen chipped in 10.

Arizona played without their starting point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, out with a high ankle sprain, and Allonzo Trier, who traveled with the team, but did not play.

The Wildcats fall to 6-2.

 

Tolson, Palmer top hitters on TOTS in November

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The month of November was a good month for the top two power hitters on the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS).

Reed Palmer, 60, the youngest TOT, hit three home runs during the month of November and drove in the most runs with 17. Palmer finished the month with a .526 batting average and only played in six games, going 10 for 19. That's 17 RBI in six games!

Tim Tolson, 64, played in 10 games and batted a hefty .625. Tolson had the most hits for the month with 20. He batted 32 times, was walked intentionally six times and ended up with 16 RBI, just one behind Palmer.

Both Palmer and Tolson are two of the "young studs" on the TOTS and they both hit from the left side and keep the TOTS' right fielders busy.

Photos: (top) Reed Palmer, (bottom) Tim Tolson.

A strange game at Udall

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

It was a strange oldtimers' baseball game at Udall Park this morning.

The losing pitcher, 66-year-old Bob Daliege, hurled a four-hitter for Team White and lost the game 6-4 to Team Blue.

"I walked a couple of runs in with the bases loaded and we had a few errors today," Daliege said after the game. As for Team Blue, they made the most out of their four hits with lead-off batter Brian Reilly doing most of the damage with one key hit and two runs scored. Jesse Ochoa, Tim Tolson and Arnie White also hit safely for Team Blue.

White, who turns 75 on Nov. 11, pitched all seven innings for Team Blue and picked up the win. "I've been struggling on the mound, but I lengthened my stride today and that seemed to help." White spends his summer days on his ranch in Red Lodge, Montana, and resides in Tucson during the winter.

All six runs for Team Blue were unearned, which easily explains how a pitcher can allow just four hits and lose the game. Then again, the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers, have a way of playing "unusual" games, seeing as how the TOTS range in age from 60 to 91.  In other words, if you happen to be a fan, sitting in the bleachers, chances are you'll get your money's worth, watching the old-timers play for two hours or seven innings which ever comes first.

By the way, it's free to watch the TOTS play at Udall Park on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The TOTS will be in action at Udall Park on Monday. Batting practice begins at 9 a.m. and the first pitch is at 10 a.m.

Photos: (top) Bob Daliege, (bottom) Arnie White.

Markkanen leads Wildcats to win over Texas Southern

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The 16-ranked Arizona Wildcats led by freshman Lauri Markkanen with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks rolled to a 85-63 win over Texas Southern tonight at McKale.

Arizona had little trouble with the Tigers, although the Texas team did manage to hit 8 of 25 three-pointers, while Arizona finished 8 of 14 from three-point land -- five of those from Markkanen.

The Wildcats ended up with five players in double figures. Two freshmen, Kobi Simmons and Rawle Alkins, scored 15 and 14 points, respectively. Kadeem Allen added 14 points and Dusan Ristic chipped in 10 as Arizona shot 63.2 percent from the field, while hitting 57.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Arizona improves to 6-1.

Arizona falls to No. 16 in AP Basketball Poll

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


Arizona dropped to No. 16 in the latest AP Basketball Poll.

The Wildcats (5-1) will try to climb their way back into the top ten this week with games against Texas Southern and 8th-ranked Gonzaga.

Go Wildcats!

Wildcats go out with a bang at Arizona Stadium

Arizona Wildcats Football

The Wildcats finished their football season at Arizona Stadium tonight with a bang, or better yet an explosion!

Arizona captures the Territorial Cup with a 56-35 victory over rival Arizona State as the Wildcats set a school record with 511 yards rushing in the process. Samajie Grant ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns to lead Arizona over a stunned Sun Devil team.

Brandon Dawkins started things off on the third play of the game as he rambled 71 yards for a touchdown. The Arizona quarterback finished the night with 183 yards rushing and two scores. Zach Green put in his two cents worth with 126 yards rushing and two scores.

Arizona State was knocked out of contention for a postseason bowl game with the loss. The Sun Devils finish the season with an overall record of 5-7 and 2-7 in the Pac-12 Conference.

Arizona finishes the season with a 3-9 overall record and a 1-8 record in Pac-12 play.

Markkanen targeted, Wildcats fall 69-65 to Butler

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

An Editorial

Butler withstood a furious comeback in the second half by the Arizona Wildcats and held on for a 69-65 win to capture the Continental Tire Invitational championship in Las Vegas tonight.

Lauri Markkanen fouled out with three minutes remaining in the game. To say he might have been targeted by the officials may be an understatement. Instead of letting the game be decided by two very good basketball teams on the court at Orleans Arena, the whistle blew one too many times against the Wildcats' 7-foot freshman center.

Markkanen left the game with 15 points and five rebounds and watched from the bench as Kobi Simmons tossed in 14 points -- all in the second half, to lead the Wildcats back from a nine-point deficit. A 15-2 run by the Wildcats and a couple of ESPN highlight dunks from Simmons had the Arizona fans in attendance cheering. But the cheers turned to boos when Markkanen was hit with a charging call -- his fifth foul.

To be honest, it was two first half fouls on Markkanen, then a third, and a fourth midway through the second half that got my goat. Markkanen should have been on the court in the final three minutes to have a chance to decide the outcome of the game, right along with his teammates and right along with the Butler players as well.

I'll get over it. Enough ranting from a diehard Wildcat fan.

Arizona falls to 5-1, while Butler improves to 6-0. The Wildcats will take a hit in the rankings. Don't get me started with the East Coast bias thing.

I'm taking a deep breath and turning the channel on my Vizio. I understand there's an upset in the making at Arizona Stadium.

Go, Wildcats! The Territorial Cup score: Arizona  56  Arizona State 35!

8th-ranked Wildcats reach final in Las Vegas tourney

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The 8th-ranked Arizona Wildcats had a fight on their hands for 40 minutes against a hot-shooting team from Santa Clara but held on for a 69-61 win tonight at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas to advance to the final of the Continental Tire Invitational on Friday against Butler.

The two big men for the Wildcats Lauri Markkanen and Dusan Ristic combined for 28 points and 13 rebounds, while getting plenty of help from freshman Kobi Simmons, who pumped in 14 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the field -- including 3 of 3 from three-point land.

Markkanen hit 4 of 11 field goals, 2 of 6 three-pointers, while Ristic canned 6 of 11 field goals. Markkanen hauled in nine rebounds, Ristic four. Arizona out rebounded Santa Clara, 37-26.

Game time for the tourney final is 8:30 p.m.

Arizona improves to 5-0 and will be matched up with the Butler Bulldogs in the final, a team with a matching 5-0 record.

Way to go, Wildcats.

Big John, Pigpen leads Team White to 6-2 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Big John Mathews and Pigpen Price led Team White to a 6-2 win today over Team Blue at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game. Mathews went 4 for 4 with two RBI and Price had three hits and scored three runs.

Team Blue lead-off batter, Brian Reilly, doubled to start the game and scored a run, but Team White's  starting pitcher, Lloyd Barzell,  held Team Blue in check the rest of the way to pick up the win.

Barzell was helped out by some outstanding plays by the Team White defense -- including three unassisted putouts at first base by 91-year Floyd Lance. Mathews made the play of the day when he caught a long fly ball at the warning track in deep center field and doubled up the base runner at second base to snuff out a Team Blue rally.

The TOTS will take Friday off and return to Udall Park for games on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Photo: Big John Mathews went 4 for 4 today for Team White.

Tucson Aces pound Rattlers 14-7 in a cross-town 60-and-over game

60-and-over Tucson Aces

Pete Maldonado pitched a complete game in his first start with the Tucson Aces en route to a 14-7 win over the Arizona Rattlers today at Mission Manor.

Maldonado struck out three and walked only two batters as he frustrated the Rattlers with his off-speed pitches.

The Rattlers had 10 hits, while the Aces banged out 17 hits -- including a double and a triple by Tim Tolson and another double by John Mathews. All eleven players who received playing time for the Aces hit safely.

Ernie Hernandez pitched the first four innings for the Rattlers and was saddled with the loss. George Gafner came on in relief of Hernandez in the fifth and the Aces greeted him with a five-run inning to put the game away.

Photo: the crafty right-hander, Pete Maldonado.

PGC, Markkanen lead 8th-ranked Wildcats to 4th win

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 15 points, dished out 11 assists and grabbed five rebounds, while Lauri Markkanen picked up his first double-double as a Wildcat as Arizona finally wore down Northern Colorado tonight at McKale with a 71-55 non-conference win.

Markkanen continues to get it done with a team-high 17 points and 13 rebounds as 8th-ranked Arizona improves to 4-0 on the season.

The Wildcats shot poorly in the first half and found themselves down by 31-30, but they finally got it going in the second half and outscored Northern Colorado, 41-24.

Congrats to the Arizona Wildcats, ranked 8th in this week's AP Basketball Poll

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


Congrats to the Arizona Wildcats. They moved from No. 10  to No. 8 this week in the AP Basketball Poll.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Beavers bury Wildcats, one game left

Arizona Wildcats Football


Another week of football for the Arizona Wildcats. The result: another loss. This time up in Corvallis by a score of 42-17.

One more to go at home against the dreaded Arizona State Sun Devils. If you go, kickoff is 7:30 on Friday night at Arizona Stadium. If you don't go, well you can check out ESPN. Yes, this one will make national TV.

Why? I doubt Wildcat fans will bring down the goal posts, win or lose.

Arizona State is the seventh best team in the Pac-12 with a 2-6 conference record and a 5-6 overall record. Our Wildcats (2-9 overall, 0-8 in the conference) will battle to the end in hopes of a win over their in-state rival and a chance to gain their first Pac-12 victory.

After that, a 7-footer from Finland will lead us out of our doldrums as we turn to basketball and standing room only at McKale Center.

Arizona Wildcats roll over Sacred Heart, 95-65

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Arizona improves to 3-0 with a 95-65 win over Sacred Heart tonight at McKale.

The Wildcats finished the game with six players in double figures -- including 54 points from a trio of freshmen -- Lauri Markkanen with 22 points, Rawle Alkins with 18 and Kobi Simmons with 14.

Add to the that a 15 rebounds, 13-point night from Dusan Ristic, 11 points from Parker Jackson-Cartwright and 10 points from Chance Comanche. Keanu Pinter chipped in six points.

Arizona led by 30 points for most of the game. The real good news: Kadeem Allen saw action and scored one point and it shouldn't be long before he's back at 100 per cent.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Next up: Northern Colorado at McKale on Monday night.

Team Blue hangs on for 7-4 win at Udall

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over-baseball

It was a another close game at Udall Park today as Team Blue held on for a 7-4 win over Team White in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

John Mathews and Pigpen Price drove in four of the seven runs for Team Blue and right-hander Bob Daliege survived a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the seventh inning to pick up the win.

Daliege started and went the distance for Team Blue. In the bottom of the seventh with two outs, Daliege coaxed the hard-hitting Jesse Ochoa into a high popup in front of the mound. Daliege camped under the ball and made the catch to end the game.

"I hate when that happens," said a disappointed Ochoa.

As for Daliege, he's well aware of how hard it is for a 60-and-over baseball player to catch "major League" fly balls. It can be an adventure. "It was up there," said Daliege. "I didn't want to miss that one."

As for the big hit of the day, the honor goes to 86-year-old Billy Heiny. Heiny, the second oldest player on the TOTS, hit a fastball off Team White's Lloyd Barzell and squeezed it through the infield, between third and short.

The TOTS will be back in action, weather-permitting on Monday. Game time is slated for 10 a.m.

Photo: John Mathews went 2 for 3 and a walk for Team Blue today and drove in two runs.

A walk-off win at Udall for Team White

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

In baseball, getting the final out can be tough at times.

And so it goes with the TOTS as well.

Today at Udall, Team Blue lefty Dennis Crowley returned to the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning -- needing just three outs to preserve a win.

Crowley's teammates had just given him a two-run lead in the top of the inning. Up 10-8, Crowley faced the bottom of Team White's batting order. Crowley struck out the first batter and was two outs away from a win, but then trouble struck as rookie David Byars reached on an error and the next two batters hit safely to load the bases.

If Crowley had sailed through the bottom of the ninth, he would  have avoided the top two left-handed power hitters in Team White's lineup. Instead, he faced Tim Tolson, who drilled a shot to center. Two runs scored and the game was tied. That brought up Reed Palmer, who laced a single down the right field line, knocking in the game-winner for an 11-10 win for Team White.

Right-hander Pete Maldonado pitched all seven innings for Team White and picked up the win, while Crowley was saddled with the hard-luck loss.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday at Udall Park. Game time 10 a.m.

45 fouls called in 40 minutes during Arizona's win over CSU Bakersfield

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


Freshman Lauri Markkanen scored 26 points and hauled in eight rebounds to lead 10th-ranked Arizona to a 78-66 win over CSU Bakersfield tonight at McKale Center.

Forty-five fouls were called in 40 minutes of action. With Kadeem Allen out with an injury, the Wildcats were back to a seven-man rotation. Four players -- Rawle Alkins, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Keanu Pinter and Simmons finished the game with four fouls apiece.

Alkins hit four of six from three-point land and finished with 15 points, while Simmons added 13 points.

To the Wildcats credit all four players were still on the court at the buzzer.

Nothing is ever easy for our Wildcats.

Arizona improves to 2-0 and faces Sacred Heart at McKale on Friday.

Palmer knocks in 9 runs in 17-0 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer, 60, hit two grand-slam home runs and drove in a total of nine runs today at Udall Park as Team White demolished Team Blue, 17-0, in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

To say Palmer is on a hot streak at the plate is understated things a bit. Last month, the 6-4, left-handed power hitter knocked in 15 runs, and here we are just six games into the month of November and he's already surpassed his October runs-batted-in total. Palmer hit a grand slam homer last Wednesday and now has three for the month. He went 4 for 4 today and played error less ball at shortstop.

According to 91-year-old Floyd Lance, who keeps the daily, monthly and yearly stats for the TOTS, today was a record-setting performance.  "That has to be a record, two grand slams in one game and three in one month. That's unheard of."

It's been decades since the 48-year-old organization has had such a prolific power hitter. The TOTS' defenders -- both in the infield and the outfield -- have tried every shift imaginable to keep the "young gun" off the bases, but to no avail.  If he isn't sending the ball over the fence, he's unleashing liners just inside the first base line or drilling doubles to the gap in right-center field.

Team White scored in every inning today, except for the second and third. In the second inning, Team Blue recorded a triple play and in the third they kept Team White from scoring, thanks to an inning-ending double play. The first, fourth, fifth and sixth belonged to Team White and specifically, Mr. Palmer.

In a side note, it's been a while since the TOTS have recorded a triple play. It's hard enough to get one out in a 60-and-over baseball game, much less a triple play. With runners on first and second, Joe "say it ain't so, Joe" Aparicio hit a line drive to Team Blue first baseman Jesse Ochoa, who threw to shortstop Tim Tolson to double up Dick Ducklow, who couldn't get back to second base. Then, Tolson tagged Leon Glasshoffer, who was caught in "no man's land" between first and second.

As for the 82-year-old Aparicio, his teammates in the dugout are ready to change his nickname. The nickname Aparcio has owned over the years is a bit too long. His new moniker: Joe "Tres" Aparicio, in honor of his ability to hit into triple plays.

Way to go, Mr. Palmer. As for Joe. Say it ain't so, Joe!

Photos: (top) Reed Palmer, (bottom) Joe "Tres" Aparicio

Another laugher, but the Arizona fans are not laughing

Arizona Wildcats Football


The announced crowd at Arizona Stadium last night: 41,068.

I demand a recount. Half the nation wants a recount for one thing or another, why not check the real numbers of the Arizona fans who actual showed up at Arizona Stadium for another laugher -- Colorado  49  Arizona  24.

Arizona falls to 2-8 overall and 0-7 in the Pac 12 Conference. The only bright spot last night came from the Wildcats' new running back Samaji Grant. The former wide receiver for the Wildcats scored two touchdowns and rambled for 113 yards.

Most dictionaries defines the word laugher as a noun, one who laughs or a sporting event where one team wins by so much the score seems absurd. Paraphrasing a little, but you get the idea.

Tough season. What's left? Two games -- one at Oregon State next week and the finale back home, the following week, against Arizona State. Two chances for the Wildcats to avoid posting a win less season in the conference.

GRANTed the Wildcats are giving there all.

Allen lay-in gives Arizona a heart-stopping win over Michigan State

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Armed Forces Classic


Kadeem Allen dribbled the length of the court and scored on a lay-in with 1.3 seconds left in the game to give 10th-ranked Arizona a heart-stopping 65-63 win over 12th-ranked Michigan State tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

I'm a diehard Arizona Wildcat fan and I'm not sure my heart can handle another basketball season. We're just one official game into the 2016-17 season.  I've already run the gambit in emotions -- from the sadness I felt when the Wildcats fell behind 17-2 against the Spartans to the final moments when Allen banked in the game winning shot to give Arizona a victory at the Armed Forces Classic.

All I can say is, "take a deep breath Arizona fans and prepare for Game 2 on Tuesday night at McKale Center against Cal State-Bakersfield."

When all was said and done, freshman Kobi Simmons came off the bench to pour in 18 points, while another freshman, Lauri Markkanen, tossed in 13 points to lead the Wildcats to their first non-conference win of the season. Add to that, another 10 points from Allen, who hit just 3 of 11 from the field, but more importantly, took the team on his shoulders and banked the final shot to make me a happy camper.

Coach Sean Miller has a lot of work to do to mold this young unit of Wildcats into a contender for a Pac-12 title and another visit to the NCAA Tournament. My goodness, this is November 11, 2016.

Go, Wildcats!

Arizona basketball just a few hours away

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

The Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, is the site of the Arizona Wildcats' season opener. In a little over two hours, Arizona will square of with Tom Izzo and Michigan State.

Arizona is ranked 10th and Michigan State is ranked 12th in the preseason AP Poll, but following the tip-off at 5 pm. (Arizona time) we will soon know how Sean Miller decides to deploy his troops -- all eight of them as Chance Comanche is cleared for play and no longer on suspension. An eight-man rotation and a handful of walk-ons to see action -- if called upon -- will be tested tonight as Miller shuffles the deck and unleashes his 2016-17 Wildcat basketball team.

Go get 'em, Arizona!

Boyd, Ochoa combine for 8 RBI in TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Tim Boyd and Jesse Ochoa, a couple of hard-hitting 60-somethings, knocked in a combined eight runs for Team Blue today as Team White fell victim to the onslaught and lost 12-8 in a 60-and-over baseball game at Udall Park.

Boyd, who was also the winning pitcher, went 3 for 5, while Ochoa went 2 for 5 -- including a booming single as he burned Team White's speedy centerfielder Dennis Crowley with a 300-ft. blast. Ochoa's shot went over the head of Crowley and the ball banged against the fence. Crowley, arguably the TOTS' most talented outfielder, got the ball back in quickly and held Ochoa to a single. Both Boyd and Ochoa knocked in four runs apiece today.

Right-hander Reed Palmer pitched all seven innings for Team White and was saddled with the hard-luck loss.

The TOTS will be back in action on Monday at Udall. Game time 10 a.m.

Team White beats Team Blue, 13-8

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Despite a grand slam home run in the fifth inning by Team Blue's Reed Palmer, Team White held on for a 13-8 win today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

With the win blowing out, Palmer's blast caught the jet stream and sailed into the tall trees beyond the right field fence. It was the first home run this month by a TOTS' player.

Lefty Dennis Crowley pitched all seven innings for Team White and picked up the win, while Arnie White took the loss. Crowley helped his cause with a 4 for 4 day and also scored three times. Team White's Jesse Ochoa went 2 for 3 and a walk, while knocking in three runs.

It was a windy day at the ball park with gusts up to 21 mph. The wind is expected to subside on Friday a bit as the TOTS are scheduled to play their dress out, birthday game at Udall Park. The TOTS game on Friday will have an early start time of 9:30 a.m.

Barzell, Peters, Palmer top hitters for TOTS in October

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

With many of the Tucson Old Timers out of town in October, participating in the MSBL World Series, two players -- Billy Heiny and Reed Palmer -- stuck around and played in 10 games for the TOTS.

Heiny, 86, led all the 80-somethings with five hits in 23 trips to the plate -- a .217 average. Heiny also walked 11 times and added a sacrifice bunt to his stats. As for Reed, 60, the TOTS' new power hitter, he went 16 for 31 with eight doubles and the club lead in RBI with 15. Reed's .516 batting average was good enough for fourth among all the averages on the TOTS. Lloyd Barzell led the way in hits with 17 in 24 at bats, a hefty .708 batting average, to go along with 13 runs scored -- the most runs by a TOT for the month.

Other top hitters (with 15 or more hits), include Tim Tolson (15 for 27, a .556 average), Pete Peters (16 for 30, a .533 average) and Roger Beebe (15 for 30, a .500 average).

Photo: Reed Palmer (top photo) connecting on one of his eight doubles during the month of October. Palmer also led the TOTS in RBI for the month with 15. (bottom photo) Billy Heiny, at the plate, led all the 80-and-over somethings in October with a .217 average.

77-minute game a dandy

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Most baseball games these days last three to four hours.

Today at Udall, the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers completed a seven-inning game at Udall Park in 77 minutes. It was a pitching duel from the get go as Team White's Lloyd Barzell and Team Blue's Pete Maldonado breezed through 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball.

In the end, a bobble at second base in the bottom of the seventh inning led to a 1-0 victory for Team White. With the bases loaded, Tim Boyd scored from third on a hard hit ball off the bat of Jesse Ochoa when the ball bounced away from 86-year-old second baseman Billy Heiny.

Heiny, the oldest player on the field, tried his best to glove the ball and start a double play, but the ball  trickled away from the "ole second-sacker" and the fleet-footed Boyd scampered home with the only run of the game.

Both teams played well defensively and it was a tough loss for Maldonado and Team Blue. As for Heiny, he shook his head and commented, "I blew it."

Heiny's teammates tried to console Heiny in the dugout after the game, many of them patted him on the back. After all, Heiny had just given his best effort on the field of play at the age of 86. Heiny is a trooper. He seldom misses a game.

And you can bet Billy will be back at Udall on Wednesday and try it again. Because that's what all the players on the TOTS do. They show up every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and play the game of baseball. It makes no difference what the final score happens to be or which player boots the ball and makes an error.

The TOTS vary in age from 60 to 91. Chances are the players will lose track in the next 48 hours of which team won the game, much less remember who knocked in the winning run or made the error.

What they'll remember, though, is the fact there's an 86-year-old teammate on the field doing his level best to make the play.

Way to go, Billy! We'll see you on Wednesday.

Photo: Billy Heiny

Basketball season awaits the "Magnificent Seven"

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The Arizona Wildcats open the 2016-17 basketball season Friday in Honolulu with seven scholarship players.

I'll give them a name: The Magnificent Seven.

They will have to be magnificent if the Wildcats expect to roll through the non-conference schedule, starting with Michigan State,  followed by a grueling Pac-12 Conference schedule, followed by a Pac-12 Tournament and lastly, the pressure cooker of them all -- the  NCAA tournament. If Arizona can make it through that maze and still be standing, then they will be truly magnificent.

The loss of Ray Smith to injury, Allonzo Trier to (whatever?) and Chance Comanche (grades) will definitely put a hamper on things. If there's a chance for Chance to come back, that will help.  Don't look for Trier to be back...not this year...maybe not ever. The next time we see Trier on the court, he'll probably be wearing a NBA uniform.

The "magnificent seven" are talented, don't get me wrong. Any further injuries, any foul problems at all, more issues with "grades" or whatever black cloud decides to continue to follow our Wildcats, will not be good for this team. I'm praying for the rotating seven -- Lauri Markkanan, Dusan Ristic, Kadeem Allen, Kobi Simmons, Kneau Pinder, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Rawle Alkins -- to hang tough and get it done.

With two exhibition games in the books, the season begins on Friday.

Go, Wildcats!

"I really hate to post the score" -- a diehard Wildcat fan

Arizona Wildcats Football


"I really hate to post the score" -- a diehard Wildcat fan.

But, here goes.

Washington State   69  Arizona  7


The Arizona Wildcats lose in Pullman today.

Arizona falls to 2-7 overall and 0-6 in the Pac-12 Conference.

That's six losses in a row for my Wildcats.

Up next: Colorado at home next Saturday.

I feel sorry for the boys.

Cubs win! Cubs win!

MLB 2016 World Series

Ben Zobrist and former Arizona Diamondback Miguel Montero knocked in runs in the top of the 10th inning and the Chicago Cubs went on to beat the Indians 8-7 in Cleveland tonight to win Game 7 and capture the World Series -- the first Fall Classic title for the organization since 1908.

Way to go, Miguel!  We sure miss you.

The Cubs led 5-1, found themselves tied 6-6 in the eighth and won the game after a short rain delay in a wild and crazy extra inning, thanks to the key hits from Zobrist and Montero.

Despite giving up two runs in the eighth, hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman gets the win. Michael Montgomery pitches to one batter and gets the save. The final out: a 5-3 putout.

Great series. Way to go, Cubs!

4-run 7th inning lifts Team Blue to 5-4 win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Alan Rasmussen beat out a bunt to start the top of the seventh inning and Team Blue put together a four-run rally to come from behind and beat Team White 5-4 today at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Team White held the lead all the way to the final inning, thanks in part to singles in the bottom of the first by Dennis Crowley and Lloyd Barzell. Both runners scored to give Team White a 2-0 lead.

Bob Daliege pitched all seven innings for Team Blue and picked up the win, while Arnie "The Montana Kid" White pitched a complete game for Team White and took the loss.

Team White tried to pull the game out in the bottom of the seventh when Crowley, who went 3 for 3 today, reached base safely along with Barzell. With runners at the corners and two outs, White tried to help his own cause, but he grounded out to shortstop Tim Boyd, who stepped on second for the final out of the game.

The TOTS will back in action on Friday. Game time 10 a.m.

Photos: (top) Alan Rasmussen. His bunt single in the last inning led to a come-from-behind win for Team Blue. (bottom photo) Dennis Crowley. He went 3 for 3 with a walk today for Team White.

Cubs extend World Series to 7th game

MLB 2016 World Series

The Chicago Cubs scored three runs in the first inning -- highlighted by a home run from Kris Bryant, and went on to win Game 6 in Cleveland tonight 9-3 over the Indians to tie the World Series at 3-3.

Before the dust had settled, Addison Russell added a grand slam homer in the third inning and Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run shot in the ninth. Russell, who also doubled, finished the night with six RBI, while Bryant had four hits.

Jake Arrieta goes 5 2/3 and gets the win.

Buckle up! It's time for Game 7.

Davis knocks in five runs for TOTS' Blue

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Ted Davis went 4 for 4 and knocked in five runs and hard-hitting lefty Tim Tolson knocked in four runs as Team Blue edged Team White 11-9 today at Udall Park in a 65-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Right-hander Lloyd Barzell picked up the win for Team Blue, while lefty Dennis Crowley was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday at Udall with a 10 a.m. start.

Photo: Ted Davis

Cubs survive Game 5

2016 MLB World Series

Chicago Cubs reliever Aroldis Chapman threw 2 2/3 innings, fired 42 pitches -- all over 100 mph -- to hold on to a 3-2 lead in Game 5 of the World Series tonight in the Windy City, sending the Fall Classic to Cleveland for Game 6 and maybe Game 7.

Kris Bryant hit a solo homer and David Ross followed with a sacrifice fly to highlight a three-run inning in the fourth. Jon Lester started for the Cubs and pitched six strong innings, giving them a chance to extend the series to Cleveland.

Wow! What a World Series!

Stanford 34 Arizona 10

Arizona Wildcats Football

The Arizona Wildcats could muster only one touchdown and a field goal tonight at Arizona Stadium.

The rest of the scoring belonged to the Cardinal as Stanford rolled to a 34-10 Pac-12 victory over the Wildcats. The only real bright spot for Arizona -- a touchdown pass from Brandon Dawkins to Trey Griffey.

Arizona falls to 0-5 in the Pac-12 South and 2-6 overall.

The dismal season continues.

Indians threatening to win the World Series in 5 games

2016 MLB World Series

The Cleveland Indians are threatening to run away with the World Series in five games.

The Indians shut down the Cubs in Chicago 7-2 tonight and coupled with their 1-0 win on Friday night now own a 3-1 advantage in the Fall Classic and can end it all with a win Sunday night.

Jason Kipnis hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Corey Kluber was dominate once again, this time for six innings, as manager Terry Francona watched from the dugout as the Indians took one giant step forward for a World Series championship, their first title since 1948.

Photo: Terry Francona, former Arizona Wildcat and manager of the Cleveland Indians

Former Wildcat Francona has the Tribe within 2 wins of World Series title

MLB 2016 World Series


Way to go, Terry Francona!

Francona, the former Arizona Wildcat and the skipper of the Cleveland Indians has his team within two wins of the MLB World Series title.

The Tribe wins in Chicago last night 1-0 and will have a 2-1 edge in the series, heading into another barn burner today in the Windy City.

Salty Dragons win 65-and-over MSBL World Series title

MSBL World Series Final Update


It's all over at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in the 65-and-over division.

As it turns out the Salty Dragons win it all with a 10-4 win over the Tucson Toros. Surprisingly, one of the closest games with the Dragons last week involved the Tucson Aces, a team with 15 members from the Tucson Old Timers. The Aces lost 7-2 to the Dragons.

Congrats to the Salty Dragons.

In the 70-and-over division, the Sacramento Solons won the MSBL title with a 8-7 win over Detroit. In the 73-and-over division, it was the South Dakota Rushmores taking the title with a 20-2 win over the San Diego Padres.

The 65-and-over Tucson Aces will be back next year. It'll be the 30th year in 2017 for the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

TOTS' Blue edges Team White 9-7 at Udall Park

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

65-and-over baseball

Game back on!

Fifteen members of the TOTS were away the past two weeks participating in the 2016 Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

Now, the players are back in the groove with the rest of the TOTS and it was "game on" at Udall Park this morning.

Today, Team Blue won the game 9-7 as John Mathews and Jesse Ochoa provided most of the power at the plate, while right-handed pitcher Pete Maldonado went the distance on the mound and picked up the victory.

Mathews went 3 for 5, Ochoa went 3 for 4 and Maldonado went 2 for 3 -- and drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.

Righthander Arnie White was saddled with the loss, but led Team White with a couple of hits and three runs-batted-in.

The Catch of the Day: A line-drive snag at third base by Pigpen Price from a hard hit ball off the bat of Roger Beebe.

Photos: John Mathews, Jesse Ochoa and Pete Maldonado

World Series moves to Chicago all tied up at 1-1

2016 MLB World Series


The Chicago Cubs, after a 6-0 defeat in the opener, come back to beat the Indians in Cleveland, 5-1, to even the 2016 MLB World Series.

Baseball fans will take a break tomorrow and get ready for Game 3 as the World Series moves to Chicago.

On Tuesday night it was the magnificent pitching from Cleveland starter Corey Kluber, tonight it was Jake Arrieta, who put on the show as he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He struck out six and walked three, while allowing one run on two hits.

The World Series is shaping up to be a good one.

The 65-and-over MSBL World Series team, the Tucson Aces

Men's Senior Baseball League Update

Photo of the 65-and-over Tucson Aces

Photo: Tucson Aces, L/R front row: Arnie White, Bill Mishler (the new Pigpen), Dennis Crowley, Ted Davis, Reese Wellman, Danny "Pigpen" Price, Bob Daliege, Lloyd Barzell and Pete Peters, manager. Back row L/R: Ernie Hernandez, Danny Boxberger, Don Kladstrup, Joe Opocensky, Tim Tolson, Doc Thompson, Chico Bigham and Dave Rhoades.

Tucson Aces finish 1-4 in the 65-and-over division at the MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League Update

65-and-over Tucson Aces

The Tucson Aces lost to the Fresno Grizzlies today at Scottsdale Stadium and finish 1-4 at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series. The Aces sent four pitchers to the mound -- Dennis Crowley, Pigpen Price, Arnie White and Ernie Hernandez, all to no avail as Fresno went on to win the game, 16-4.

The Aces had just six hits today, one each from TOTS' players Joe Opocensky, Tim Tolson and Arnie White. Doc Thompson was still nursing a groin injury and did not play, while Lloyd Barzell did not play in the field due to a foot injury. Ron Petersen was injured before the 2016 MSBL World Series and did not make the trip to Phoenix.

Still in was a fun week as manager Pete Peters saw to it that everyone got playing time -- a tall order when you have 17 players on the roster.

As they say, "there's always next year."

Photo: Pete Peters, who did a great job as manager of the 65-and-over Tucson Aces.

San Antonio Broncos edge Tucson Aces 11-7 with four-run 9th inning

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series Update

65-and-over Tucson Aces

The Tucson Aces battled the San Antonio Broncos for nine innings at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series today at the Tempe Diablo Complex, spring training home of the Angels.

The Aces, playing their fourth game this week,  jumped out to a 3-1 lead after four innings of play, but trailed 7-5 in the fifth inning. The Aces tied the game in the bottom of the eighth and then gave up four runs in the top of the ninth and the Broncos went on to win the game, 11-7.

Doc Thompson pitched the first four innings and gave way to reliever Bob Daliege, who allowed four runs in three innings of work. Ernie Hernandez relieved Daliege in the seventh and pitched the rest of the way.

Thompson, who pitched 19 1/3 innings this week, despite having a groin injury, helped his own cause with two hits today. Joe Opocensky kept up his hard hitting for the week with three more hits today -- including a booming triple. Daliege added two hits to the Aces cause and also scored three of the seven runs.

The Aces tied the game 7-7 in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Pigpen Price hit a slow roller to short. One run scored easily and the throw to first got away from the Broncos' first baseman, allowing the tying run to score.

Unfortunately for the Aces, the Broncos were able to plate the four runs in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, Lloyd Barzell and Tim Tolson singled to put runners at the corners with two out, but Daliege bounced out to end the hard-fought game.

The Aces take on the Fresno Grizzlies tomorrow morning at Scottsdale Stadium, their final game of the 2016 MSBL World Series.

Photo: Doc Thompson. Doc pitched 19 1/3 innings this week, while starting in four games for the Aces at the MSBL World Series.

Aces fall to Salty Dragons 7-2 at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series Update

65-and-over Tucson Aces

The Tucson Aces lost 7-2 to the Salty Dragons at the MSBL World Series today in Maryvale.

Joe Opocensky was the top hitter for the Aces with two line-drive hits to right field.

Doc Thompson for the third day in a row started for the Aces and pitched 5 1/3 innings before leaving the game with a groin injury. Ernie Hernandez came on in relief.

Catcher Bob Daliege had a good day behind the plate for the Aces. He caught two pop ups and threw out a runner with a pinpoint throw to second baseman Pigpen Price.

The Aces take on the San Antonio Broncos tomorrow in their fourth game of the senior World Series.

Photo: Joe Opocensky

Aces fall to Canada team at the MSBL World Series

65-and-over MSBL World Series Update

The Tucson Aces lost to Canada (Red Deer) 13-2 today at Papago Park in Tempe in the second-round of the MSBL World Series.

Doc Thompson had the only RBI for the Aces with a single to left field in the second inning.

Thompson pitched six strong innings and Bob Daliege hurled the final two innings.

The Aces take on the Salty Dragons tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Maryvale, the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Photo: Doc Thompson

Cubs win! Cubs win!

MLB National League championship Series


The Cubs are in!

The Chicago Cubs win tonight 5-0 over the LA Dodgers and punch their ticket to the World Series.

The Cubs win the NLCS four games to two and set up a World Series between two historic baseball teams -- the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians.

Has a nice ring to it. Should be a great series.

65-and-over Tucson Aces pound Tri Valley at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

65-and-over division

Tucson Aces

The 65-and-over Tucson Aces walloped Tri Valley 24-10 this morning in the first round of the MSBL World Series at the Salt River Complex in Scottsdale, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

Tim Tolson and Arnie White supplied most of the power as Tolson had three doubles, a triple and a single and an intentional walk in six trips to the plate, while White ripped a ball down the third baseline, which rolled all the way to the 330 ft. sign in left field for a bases-loaded, grand slam, inside-the-park home run.

Everyone in the Aces lineup hit safely as hard-throwing right-hander Doc Thompson pitched the first four innings, Bob Daliege hurled three innings and Ernie Hernandez tossed the eighth inning. The Aces batted around in the seventh inning.

The Aces' manager Pete Peters decided to pull Thompson after four innings to save him for later games as Tucson prepares for their second-round game which is Sunday, 9:45 a.m. at Papago Park, spring training home of the Oakland A's.

Photos: (top) Tim Tolson, (bottom) Arnie White

One win away!

MLB National League Championship Series

One win away!

The Chicago Cubs, after their 8-4 victory Thursday in Los Angeles, could punch their ticket to the 2016 World Series with a win Saturday over the Dodgers. If the Cubs can't get it done on Saturday, then the National League Championship Series will move on to a seventh and deciding game on Sunday.

Chicago fans will cram into Wrigley Field and cheer on the best Cubs' team in decades. The Cubs collected 103 wins during the regular season, three more in the NLDS and three in the books against the Dodgers in the NLCS -- 109 wins and counting.

Go, Cubs!

Trio of players from the Tucson Old Timers collect 16 hits at the MSBL World Series

MSBL World Series Update

A trio of ball players from the Tucson Old Timers combined for 16 hits this week during the Men's  Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix.

Bob Daliege, Pigpen Price and Ed Eckert played five games with the San Antonio Texans (0-5) -- including today's loss to the Arizona Scorpions.

Daliege was the best of the Tucson trio with seven hits in 14 at bats. Eckert had five hits and Price collected four hits.

Indians heading for the World Series for the first time since 1997

MLB American League Championship Series


The Cleveland Indians win Game 5 today in Toronto to win the series four games to one and now await the survivor of what is looking more like a seven-game affair in the NLCS between the Chicago Cubs and LA Dodgers.

Congrats, Indians!

Daliege, Price combine for 15 of 27 outs during MSBL World Series game

MSBL World Series Update

70-and-over division

Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price, members of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club, combined for 15 of the 27 outs in a fourth-round game at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series today in Scottsdale at the Salt River Complex, spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

Daliege made four assists and two putouts while playing shortstop for the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans, while third baseman Pigpen Price threw out six runners and added three putouts -- including a line drive catch with the bases loaded to end the bottom of the eighth inning.

Daliege was the middle man on two double plays today.

The third member of the TOTS, Eddie Eckert, had two hits today, while Daliege doubled in three trips to the plate. Price went 1 for 3.

The Texans lost the game to the unbeaten San Diego Mudcats and drop to 0-4 at the senior World Series.

Team photo of the 70-and-over MSBL World Series team, the San Antonio Texans

The 70-and over San Antonio Texans

Three players from the Tucson Old Timers are currently playing for the Texans. Photo above, back row: # 8 Eddie Eckert and # 2 Pigpen Price and in the front row, kneeling second from the right, Bob Daliege, #22.

Above photo of  Bob Daliege, a member of the Tucson Old Timers, sliding into home at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix.

Thanks go out to Petie Kladstrup for taking the photos. Petie's husband, Don, fourth from the left in the back row of the team photo, had the big hit in today's loss to the Virgin Islands with a triple to the gap in left center.

The Texans will play their fourth game of the MSBL World Series (70 and over division) Wednesday, at 1 p.m. at the Salt  River Complex in Scottsdale, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.