There will be a seventh game

2017 World Series

Game 6

There will be a seventh game.

The Dodgers extended the World Series to a seventh game with a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros tonight in Los Angeles.

Justin Verlander pitched well but not well enough. Verlander threw 93 pitches in six innings of work and left the game down 2-1. Joc Pederson homered for the Dodgers in the seventh inning to give LA the 3-1 lead. Kenley Jansen pitched two shutout innings for the Dodgers.

George Springer homered for the Astros in the third inning. The two teams have hit a record-breaking 24 home runs in six games.

It all comes down to tomorrow night.

John Mathews at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

60-and-over Central Division

Update on John Mathews, member of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers, playing in his first MSBL World Series

John Mathews rode the pine for most of the first game of a doubleheader today. But in Game 2 at the Salt River Complex in Scottsdale, John finally got his at bats. John went 2 for 4 -- including a double and drove in two runs as the Paladins from Albuquerque beat the Puget Sound Mariners, 11-6.

The Paladins lost the first game of the doubleheader 13-5 to the Dragons as Big John squirmed on the bench. He finally got his chance in Game 2 and should see plenty of action the rest of the week as the Palidans play six round-robin games.

Photo: Big John at the Salt River Complex today ready to play ball.

Houston wins Game 5 in 10 innings

2017 MLB World Series


Alex Bregman singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning off the Dodgers' ace reliever Kenley Jansen tonight in Houston to give the Astros a 13-12 win in Game 5.

The two teams take a well-deserved day off tomorrow and hook up for Game 6 in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The Astros are up three games to two.

The two teams set a World Series record for home runs with 22. And there's two games to go!

What a World Series!

Arizona enters top 25

Arizona Wildcats football

From the practice field in August to a top-25 ranking in October.

That's been the amazing journey for the Arizona Wildcats.

The Wildcats, under the direction of quarterback Khalil Tate, have won four games in October and were awarded today in the Associated Press College Football Poll with a ranking of No. 23.

After a six-point loss (30-24) to Utah, the Wildcats (6-2, 4-1) have reeled off consecutive wins over Colorado (45-42), UCLA (47-30), California (45-44) and Washington State (58-37).

And, of course, Tate and Company are not done yet. Up next a game Saturday at USC.

Go get 'em, Wildcats!

Our man Tate just keeps rolling along

Arizona Wildcats Football


The Washington State Cougars entered Arizona Stadium tonight with a gaudy 7-1 record and ranked No. 15 in the nation.

Of course, they hadn't met our man Tate yet.

Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate rushed for 146 yards and a score, passed for 275 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats to a 58-37 win over the Cougars. Arizona improves to 6-2 overall, becomes bowl eligible, and more importantly improves to 4-1 in the Pac-12 South.

And tonight, Tate wasn't alone. He had plenty of help from his friends. Take a gander at this:

-- a 57-yard field goal by Arizona's Lucas Havrisik

-- four interceptions by the Wildcats' secondary

-- J.J. Taylor ran all over the field as well, rushing for 152 yards and two touchdowns

I'm a diehard Arizona fan, but I sure couldn't have predicted THIS!

Amazing!

Way to go, Wildcats.

Houston, Dodgers all square again

MLB 2017 World Series


The World Series is all square after four games.

The Dodgers will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound Sunday in hopes of winning Game 5 and then head back to LA to finish off the Astros. But first things first for the Dodgers, who will have to find a way to deal once again with Houston's ace, Dallas Keuchel.

It's a rematch of Game 1 -- a 3-1 win by Kershaw and the Dodgers.

Certainly a must win in Game 5 for the Houston Astros. If the Dodgers leave Houston up three games to two, you might as well pencil in the Dodgers as champions of the 2017 World Series.

Epic MLB World Series heads for Houston all square at 1-1

MLB 2017 World Series


The race is on.

After two epic games in the 2017 World Series, the Dodgers and Astros move to Houston for Game 3 on Friday. Eleven home runs in the two games -- eight of them coming last night, is certainly a thrilling start to the October Classic.

The Dodgers take Game 1 at home 3-1 and get beat in 11 innings last night 7-6.

It's going to be a wild and crazy World Series!

Daliege, Price help Tri Valley win final game at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

Final Update

65-and-over Cactus division

Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price finally put on their hitting shoes today at the MSBL World Series.

Playing their final game this week for the 65-and-over Tri Valley Giants, the Tucson duo combined for five hits to help the Giants to a 16-7 win over the Snowbirds this morning at Fitch Park in Mesa, spring training home of the Oakland Athletics.

"It's been a tough go this week," Price said. "We finally put together a win and it just happened to be against a good friend of mine, Marc Sewell."

Sewell (above photo), a hall of famer in both the Tucson MSBL and a 2009 inductee into the MSBL World Series Hall of Fame, started for the Snowbirds and left the mound in the fourth inning.

As for Tri Valley, they finally found out what it's like to win a game at the MSBL World Series. Tri Valley finished in a tie for sixth place with four teams ending up with identical 1-4 records, but the Giants failed to advance to the playoffs due to a tiebreaker in runs allowed.

Daliege and Price are back in Tucson...resting, after playing 12 games in 12 days. They tasted victory at the MSBL World Series seven times in two weeks, while losing five.

Photos above: top, Bob Daliege, bottom, Pigpen Price were a combined 5 for 8 at the plate today in their final game at the MSBL World Series.

Taylor on fire at the plate

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Mike Taylor is one of the hottest hitters on the TOTS the past two weeks. Today at Udall Park, he did it again. Taylor went 3 for 4 and drove in three runs as Team Blue beat Team White, 11-4.

Dennis Crowley, John Mathews and Reed Palmer also chipped in three hits apiece for the winners, while Bill Mishler was the big gun for Team White with a 2 for 4 day and two runs scored.

Team Blue's pitcher Pete Maldonado picked up the win, while Lloyd Barzell went the distance for Team White and was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photo: Mike Taylor

65-and-over Tri Valley loses Petersen for Game 5 of the MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

65-and-over Cactus division

Tri Valley Giants

Three players from the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers have played 11 games in 11 days at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series. Tomorrow is Game 12 and the Tucson trio is down to two as Ron Petersen broke the index finger on his throwing hand and is now back in Tucson.

So, that leaves Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price available for Game 12 as the 65-and-over Tri Valley Giants take on the Snowbirds at Fitch Park in Mesa. Game time: 10 a.m.

The Giants have lost four games in a row, the latest loss today against the front-runner in the division, the Chicago Grays. Down to 14 players, with a hand full of them playing hurt, the Giants will try to grab a victory tomorrow. A win would feel pretty good to the players. At least they could pack their bags and head to their respective homes on a positive note.

It's been quite the two weeks for the three amigos from Tucson -- a 6-1 record and a runner-up finish in Week 1 as the trio played for the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans. The second week, well that's already well documented, an 0-4 record thus far and a shot at a win tomorrow against the Snowbirds, which would give the Tucson trio a 7-5 record for their two-week effort.


Photo: Ron Petersen

Losing is like a disease

MSBL World Series Update

65-and-over Cactus division

"Losing is like a disease, as contagious as bubonic plague."

Pigpen Price sat in the dugout as his team, the 65-and-over Tri Valley Giants, were getting pounded for a third straight day at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in Mesa, Arizona this morning.

"The famous line from The Natural, 'losing is a disease, as contagious as bubonic plague' kept ringing in my ears at Riverview Park this morning," Price said. "We have lost three in a row and face the top team, Chicago Grays, tomorrow at the Salt River Complex."

Price said, after today's loss to the Taos Solar Sox. "It is tough to get pounded on every day. We just can't seem to make a play on the field or get those key hits while we are at the plate."

Price and his two teammates from the Tucson Old Timers, Ron Petersen and Bob Daliege,  are a combined 3 for 23. "We're trying too hard when we step to the plate. It seems like when we come up to bat we are down a dozen runs."

The chances for Tri Valley to reach the playoffs this week are slim and none. 

"That's what is so hard," Price concluded. "Last week we came within an eyelash of winning  a World Series ring in the 70-and-over division, and this week we are already close to being mathematically eliminated."

One thing is for sure, the three amigos from Tucson -- Petersen, Daliege and Price -- will do their best  to help put a "W" on the scoreboard, if not tomorrow against the Grays, maybe on Wednesday in the finale against the Snowbirds at Fitch Park.

Six hours of baseball left for the three amigos from Tucson.

Palmer hits No. 16 for the TOTS

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer belted his 16th home run of the season, went 3 for 4 and drove in five runs to lead Team Blue to a 8-3 win over Team White at Udall Park this morning in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Team Blue's John Mathews went 4 for 5 and Dave Byars went 3 for 5, while Mike Taylor went 2 for 3 and drove in two of the three runs for the losing team. Tim Tolson had a perfect day at the plate for Team White with five consecutive singles.

Pitcher Tim Boyd went the distance for Team Blue and picked up the win.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday. Game time 9 a.m.

Tucson trio finding it tough going in Week 2 at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

65-and-over Cactus division

Tri Valley Giants


Three players from the Tucson Old Timers Club had an exciting first week at the MSBL World Series. Playing for the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans, Ron Petersen, Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price rode the wave of wins, collected six straight victories before losing in the championship game.

This week is a different story. The Tucson trio are members of the 65-and-over Tri Valley Giants and after two games they find themselves winless with losses to the Western Diamondbacks, a San Diego team, on Saturday, and today to the Paladins from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Next up a team called the Solar Sox from Taos, New Mexico on Monday at 10 a.m. at Riverview Park in Mesa, the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs. In fact, the Tucson trio will return to the same field (annex field No. 5) where they played for the 70-and-over Central division title, just three days ago.

"That's where (annex field #5) it all ended for us last Friday," Price said. "It was such a great week last week. Not as much fun so far this week. Maybe we can get it going tomorrow against the Solar Sox."

After two games this week, Ron Petersen is 0 for 4, Bob Daliege is 1 for 5, a walk, a run scored and one run batted in, while Price is 1 for 6 and one run batted in.

Tucson trio plays at Hohokam today in the MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

65-and-over Cactus division

The three amigos from the Tucson Old Times are still playing baseball at the MSBL World Series. Today Ron Petersen, Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price play for the Tri Valley Giants ( a team out of northern California) and will play inside the beautiful confines of Hohokam Stadium in Mesa at 1:30 pm.

The Tucson trio are fresh off a championship run last week in which they played seven games in seven days, finishing with a 6-1 record with the San Antonio Texans and a runner up finish in the 70-and-over Central division.

All three players are a little on the tired side, but they're still giving it their all and have high hopes of helping Tri Valley win its first game today against a team from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Yesterday, Tri Valley lost to the Western Diamondbacks (a team out of San Diego) in the first of five games in the 65-and-over Cactus division.

Today will be the ninth MSBL World Series game for Petersen, Daliege and Price.

Photo: Hohokam Stadium in Mesa

Wildcats beat CAL in double OT

Arizona Wildcats Football


The Arizona Wildcats beat the California Golden Bears in Berkeley 45-44 tonight in double overtime and improve to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-12 Conference.

In the second overtime, California went for two and didn't make it as quarterback Ross Bower's final pass of the night fell incomplete. The Bears could have kicked the extra point and gone for the tie, but instead went for the win. Bowers and his teammates watched as the football bounced around in the end zone, while the Wildcats celebrated their big win.

Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate engineered the Wildcats' fifth win of the season as he completed 9 of 14 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Tate also ran the ball 16 times for 139 yards and a score.

Houston advances to World Series

MLB Playoffs


Houston won Game 7 of the ALCS tonight in front of its fans with a 4-0 shutout of the New York Yankees and head for the World Series to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Astros will play in the World Series for the second time. Their first time was in 2005.

Congrats to the Astros.

MSBL World Series update

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

70-and-over Central division

The 70-and-over San Antonio Texans had a great run at the 2017 MSBL World Series this week.

Unfortunately, the Texans came up one win short as they lost the championship game 20-9 today in Mesa to the Ohio Classics. The Texans, who went 6-0 during the week, including a 12-8 win over the Classics, were the only 70-and-over team to reach the championship game unbeaten.

Still a great showing by the Texans. Seven players from Tucson played this week for the Texans. Mike Morales, Joe Jimenez and Joe Banner represented the Tucson Old Pueblo Club, while Curt Gustafson represented the Arizona Rattlers. Ron Petersen, Bob Daliege and  Pigpen Price were the three players participating from the Tucson Old Timers.

A 6-1 record and a runner up finish. Not too shabby.

Dodgers reach the World Series

2017 MLB Playoffs


The Los Angeles Dodgers, behind three home runs from Kiki Hernandez, beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 tonight in Chicago to win the NLCS, four games to one to advance to the World Series.

Congrats to the Dodgers.

The San Antonio Texans advance to the championship game at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

70-and-over Central division


The game took five hours to complete.

In the end the San Antonio Texans loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th inning and scored the winning run on a walk and outlasted Tri Valley 21-20 in Tempe today to reach the championship game in the 70-and-over Central division at the MSBL World Series.

The Texans used three pitchers -- Sammy DeLosSantos, Bob Daliege (Tucson Old Timers) and Mike Morales (Tucson Old Pueblo Club). Morales pitched the final five innings to pick up the win.

San Antonio led 20-18 in the ninth inning with two outs, but a dropped fly ball in the outfield enabled Tri Valley to tie the game. Morales worked his way out of trouble in the the top of the 10th inning.

The Texans needed just one run to end it all. As the game slipped past the five-hour mark, the Tri Valley pitcher was forced to intentionally walk the Texans' Joe Jimenez (Tucson Old Pueblo Club) to load the bases. That brought up the Texans' cleanup hitter Kenny Conlin. With the count full, Conlin took an outside pitch for ball four and San Antonio literally walked away with the win.

San Antonio will face the Ohio Classics at 1 p.m. on Friday at Riverview Park in Mesa (spring training home of the Chicago Cubs) for the MSBL title. The Texans beat Ohio 12-8 earlier in the tournament.

Texans head for the playoffs

MSBL World Series

70-and-over Central Division

The San Antonio Texans did it again!

Today the Texans beat Australia 19-6 to grab the top seed for the playoffs in the 70-and-over Central division at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series. The Texans finish pool play with a perfect 5-0 record and take on the fourth seeded Tri Valley in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Tempe Diablo annex field #6, the spring training home of the Angels.

Ron Petersen (Tucson Old Timers) pitched the first 2 2/3 innings and Mike Morales (Tucson Old Pueblo Club) pitched the rest of the way to pick up the win. Petersen collected two hits in three trips to the plate, while driving in a team-high five runs. Pigpen Price (Tucson Old Timers) went 1 for 3, walked and scored three runs -- including scoring all the way from first base in the sixth inning when Petersen ripped a single to right field with the bases loaded.

Bob Daliege (Tucson Old Timers), nursing a hip injury, played the entire game and went 0 for 3, walked once and scored a run. "I was able to play the field and run okay, but the hip bothered me when I batted," Daliege said, after the eight-inning, three-hour game.

The MSBL 70-and-over Central division is down to four teams. If the Texans win their playoff game on Thursday, they will play the winner of the other playoff game on Thursday between the Ohio Classics and the team from Australia on Friday for the championship.

Photo: Ron Petersen, who drove in five runs for the Texans today at the MSBL World Series.

70-and-over San Antonio Texans improve to 4-0 at MSBL World Series

30th Annual MSBL World Series

70-and-over division

The San Antonio Texans improved to 4-0 at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix today with a 14-0 shutout over Team America. Seven players on the roster are from Tucson -- including three players from the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers -- Bob Daliege, Ron Petersen and Pigpen Price.

Today the Texans received a surprise pitching performance from Daliege, who came on in the second inning in place of starter Reece Wellman, from Towson, Maryland. Wellman left the game with a should injury, and Daliege, who left the game the day before with a hip injury, took the ball and pitched eight scoreless innings and picked up the shutout win.

"I felt pretty good out there (on the mound)," Daliege said, after the game. "I was able to push off the rubber and throw a lot of strikes." Daliege is a little sore and the hip is still swollen, but luckily the Texans have a day off tomorrow before their next matchup with Australia on Wednesday.

Daliege even batted once and singled, while Petersen went 2 for 4 today and caught the entire game. Price went 0 for 2 and a walk, but helped Daliege preserve his shutout with a couple of backhanded plays at third base.

As for Price, he's just happy to have four games under his belt at the MSBL World Series. "I popped a hammy back in August and just finished rehab last Monday. So far so good. My right leg is holding up fine."

All the players on the Texans can use a breather. They have played four games in three days and have scored 62 runs, while holding their combined four opponents to just 18 runs. The Texans are in the playoffs for sure and the question is can they win the whole thing and take home their first MSBL title?

"Sure we can." Price adds. "This is a first to get this far. We're sitting pretty right now. We just need to keep winning."

Old Pueblo Club's Mike Morales continued his hot hitting with two more hits today and has 15 hits in the tournament. Joe Jimenez and Joe Banner, both from the Old Pueblo Club in Tucson, hit safely again today as did Curt Gustafson, who plays with the Arizona Rattlers, another 60-and-over baseball team out of Tucson.

Photo: Bob Daliege hurled a shutout for eight innings today at the MSBL World Series, despite a hip injury.

Texans win 2 at Tempe Diablo today

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

70-and-over division

Once again it was the Tucson connection provided most of the power today at Tempe Diablo Stadium as the San Antonio Texans won both ends of a doubleheader, 17-5 and 19-5, to improve to 3-0 at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

One downer today, Bob Daliege, who plays for the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers, went down with a hip injury in the first inning of Game 2 and he may miss tomorrow's game at Maryvale Park against Team America.

With three wins the Texans are assured of a playoff berth. The Texans will have Tuesday off and will conclude their five round-robin games on Wednesday against Australia.

Today, Ron Petersen and Pigpen Price hit safely in both games, while Daliege collected three dingers in Game 1. Once again, Old Pueblo Club's Joe Jimenez, Mike Morales and Joe Banner hit safely in both games today, while Curt Gustafson, from the Arizona Rattlers, also hit safely.

Jimenez is the hottest hitter for the Texans. In the first game of the doubleheader today he tripled twice. In the second game Jimenez tried to leg out his third triple, but was thrown out at third.

The Texans have scored 48 runs in three games and is the only team in the division with three wins and no losses. The Ohio Classics, the team the Texans beat on Saturday, came back and beat Australia today.

In the first game of the doubleheader today, Sammy DeLosSantos, from Adkins, Texas, pitched a complete game, allowing Team America just eight hits. In the second game, Skip Bradley, from San Antonio, Texas, went the distance for the win.

Tate terrific again!

Arizona Wildcats Football

Khalil Tate did it again!

The Arizona quarterback ran, passed and directed the Wildcats to another big win -- this time at Arizona Stadium tonight with a convincing 47-30 Pac-12 victory over the UCLA Bruins.

The Wildcats accumulated over 600 yards of offense -- most of those coming from Tate, who rushed for 230 yards and two scores, while passing for another 148 yards and a touchdown.

Arizona, six games into the season, are now sitting on a 4-2 overall record and a 2-1 record in the Pac-12 South.

MSBL World Series

70-and-over division

The Tucson connection played well this morning in Goodyear as the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans upset the former champions from 2014, the Ohio Classics, 12-8, in first round action at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

The players from Tucson include Old Pueblo Club's --  Mike Morales, Joe Jimenez and Joe Banner, also Curt Gustafson from the Arizona Rattlers and a trio of players from the Tucson Old Timers -- Ron Petersen, Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price.

The seven players hit safely, with Price, Petersen, Morales and Gustafson, all knocking in runs.

The win by San Antonio sets them up very nicely in the tournament and a win tomorrow, or maybe two wins, would clinch a playoff berth. The Texans play Team America, out of Wisconsin, and Tri Valley, out of San Francisco, in a doubleheader at Tempe Diablo Stadium. First game gets underway at 9 AM and the second game is scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Photo: entrance to Tempe Diablo Stadium, the site of both games tomorrow for the Texans.

Cubs advance to 3rd consecutive NLCS

MLB PLayoffs

The final piece of the puzzle is in place.

The Chicago Cubs advance to their third consecutive NLCS with a 9-8 win last night in Game 5 of the NLDS over the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals, at home in front of their cheering fans, tried everything they could think of to beat the Cubs -- including the use of Max Scherzer in a wild fifth as their ace gives up four runs in a bat-around-inning.

So, the four teams are in place. The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros tangle on Friday in Houston in the first game of the best-of-seven ALCS, while the Cubs head for LA to face the Dodgers  on Saturday in the first game of the NLCS.

It'll be a real barn burner the rest of the way.

Yankees move on to ALCS

MLB postseason


The New Yankees bounced back and win three in a row over the Indians, including a 5-2 win tonight in Cleveland in the final game of the ALDS. Didi Gregorius homered twice for the Yankees, who took a 3-2 lead into the ninth and tack on two insurance runs to advance to the ALCS and a showdown with the Houston Astros.

As for the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals, well they're still battling. Game 5 in the NLDS is set for Thursday night in Washington. The Cubs had a chance to close out the Nationals today in Game 4, but Washington -- behind a seven-inning, three-hit, 12 strike out performance from Stephen Strasburg --  shutdown Chicago, 5-0.

There are five teams left in the postseason. We'll soon be down to our final four.

Chico's service set for Sunday

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-an-over baseball

Chico's service set for Sunday


Chico's Memorial will take place on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 3 PM at Christ Community Church, located at 530 S. Pantano Rd. The church is located  on the west side of Pantano at the Kenyon traffic light between 22nd Street and Broadway.

It is requested that TOTS members wear their blue uniform shirt.

Diamondbacks, Red Sox eliminated from postseason

MLB playoffs


The Boston Red Sox were the first to go and the Arizona Diamondbacks followed.

Houston took down the Red Sox 5-4 today at Fenway Park and won the ALDS, three games to one, while the Diamondbacks, to the dismay of their fans at Chase Field, lose 3-1 tonight in the NLDS to the LA Dodgers -- shutdown by the best team in baseball, three games to none.

The Red Sox just couldn't get over the hump as the Astros applied the pressure for nine innings and the same can be said of the Diamondbacks. The pitching staff of the Dodgers limited the normally hard-hitting Diamondbacks to three hits.

Six teams remain. The Astros and the Dodgers take a breather. Washington and the Chicago Cubs lock horns tomorrow in Chicago with the Cubs holding a 2 to 1 lead in the NLDS, while Cleveland will host the New York Yankees on Wednesday in the fifth game of the ALDS, tied at two games apiece.

Thompson gets a hard-earned win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White jumped on Team Blue's starter Lloyd Barzell with a five-run first inning and then held on  for a 7-5 win as hard-throwing right-hander Doc Thompson went the distance in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game this morning at Udall Park.

The first six batters for Team White -- Pigpen Price, Mike Steele, Reed Palmer, Dennis Crowley, Dave Byars and Thompson -- hit safely to start the game. The first five batters crossed the plate before the final out of the inning was made as Thompson headed for the mound in the second inning  with a big lead.

Team White added insurance runs in the third and the fifth, while Team Blue tried their best to chip away at the lead -- included two runs in the seventh to pull within two. A ground out to Palmer at short ended the game and left two runners stranded.

John Mathews collected two hits and knocked in two runs for the losing team. Team White's Palmer went 3 for 3 with two RBI and Price, back in action after a 50-day layoff due to a hamstring tear, went 3 for 4, scored a run and knocked in a run.

"I'm glad to be back out there," Price said. "It's been a long 50 days."

The catch of the day: Team White's 88-year-old second baseman Billy Heiny backed up, gloved a high hopper on the edge of the grass in the third inning and threw the runner out at first base.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photo: Today's winning pitcher Doc Thompson.

Our Man Tate

Arizona Wildcats Football

Quarterback Khalil Tate set a FBS record with 327 rushing yards on just 14 carries to lead the Arizona Wildcats (3-2, 1-1) to a 45-42 Pac-12 win over Colorado in Boulder tonight.

Tate, subbing for the injured Brandon Dawkins, scored four rushing touchdowns and threw for another as Arizona wins its first Pac-12 game of the year and improves to 3-2 on the season.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Mishler goes 4 for 5

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White beat Team Blue 8-4 today at Udall Park. It was a tough week for the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers as they play on, while mourning the loss of their teammate Chico Bigham, 79, who passed away on Tuesday.

Today, Reed Palmer collected three hits and Mike Steele banged out two key hits as Team White tripped up Team Blue, despite a 4 for 5 day from Bill Mishler.

As for Mishler, a TOT since 2015, he says it was one of his best days at the plate. "I remember years ago actually going 12 for 12 at one point, but it has been a while since I've had four hits in a game."

Lefty Dennis Crowley picked up the pitching victory for Team White, while Bob Daliege hurled a complete game as well and was saddled with the loss.

The catch of the day: A running catch in center field by Team White's Roger Beebe to help snuff out a Team Blue rally.

The TOTS will return to action on Monday at Udall. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photo: Mishler, today's top hitter.

Astros, Indians win openers in ALDS

American League Division Series

The Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 behind three home runs by Jose Altuve in Houston today and the Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer allowed two hits for 6.2 innings in a 4-0 shutout of the New Yankees in Cleveland tonight to complete the first day of action in the American League Division Series.

Remembering Chico Bigham (1938-2017)

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Remembering our man Baxter "Chico" Bigham -- our "Mr. Blue" and the man with the rubber arm.

Rest in Peace, Chico. We will miss you dearly...

Diamondbacks head for NLDS

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a date with the Dodgers in LA on Friday.

In an exciting NL wild card game at Chase Field last night, the Diamondbacks banged out four triples, two home runs and a double en route to a 11-8 win over the Colorado Rockies.

The big blow came in the seventh inning when reliever Archie Bradley TRIPLED in two runs to the delight of 46,000 plus, all screaming their approval inside the beautiful confines of Chase Field.

And now it's on to LA and a five-game series with the Dodgers, the team with the best regular-season record in the major leagues.

Will the Judge rise?

AL Wild Card


The AL wild card game will get underway at 8 p.m. as the Yankees take on Minnesota in New York.

Will the Judge rise?

Will Aaron Judge, the rookie of the year with 52  regular season home runs, blasts a few out of Yankee Stadium tonight?

We'll know soon enough.

AL Playoffs update: Yep. Yankees win 8-4 and Judge goes yard! New York advances to play Cleveland in the ALDS.

We lost our "Blue" today

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

We lost our "Blue" at 10:30 this morning. Our teammate and our favorite umpire Chico Bigham passed away due to complications from a fall sustained earlier in the week.

Chico, 79, was a workhorse when it came to taking care of our baseball field at Udall Park. On the field of play, he was simply indestructible with the ability to rebound from injury and return to the pitching mound when called upon. Chico would warm up faster and throw harder in the bullpen then most of our pitchers who toe the rubber and throw on a regular basis.

Our prayers are with Chico's wife, Dee Dee, and the Bigham family. Arrangements will be forthcoming.

Photo: Chico Bigham (1938-2017)

Diamondbacks finish regular season with a 93-69 record

Arizona Diamondbacks

NL wild card game coming up


The Arizona Diamondbacks won 14-2 on Sunday over the Royals in Kansas City to finish the regular season with a 93-69 record. That's an outstanding 52-29 record at Chase Field and a 41-40 record on the road.

A very good season for our Diamondbacks. Now, the Diamondbacks can throw the won-loss record out the window as they host a NL wild card game on Wednesday at Chase Field against the Colorado Rockies (87-75). The Rockies finished 46-35 at Coors Field and ended up with the same record on the road as the Diamondbacks.

The two teams tangle at 5:08 p.m. -- a one-game affair to decide which team moves on to face the LA Dodgers in the next round of the playoffs.

Go get 'em, Diamondbacks!

Barzell, Peters, Palmer top TOTS' hitters in September

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Lloyd Barzell and Pete Peters finished in a dead heat for the most hits by a Tucson Old Timer for the month of September with 19 apiece, while Reed Palmer led the club in three categories -- in home runs with six, in doubles with seven, and in RBI with 20.

Barzell, who played in all 12 games, went 19 for 39, a .487 batting average, while Peters played in 10 games and went 19 for 29, a hefty .655 batting average. Barzell also led the club in runs scored with 18. Palmer played in 11 games and went 17 for 27, a .630 average.

The top two pitchers for the month were Ron Petersen with a 3-1 record and Barzell, who went undefeated for the month with an impressive 5-0 record.

Photos: Barzell (top photo), Peters (bottom photo)