No winner at Udall today

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

No lead is ever safe in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Team White was sailing along with a 6-1 lead after five innings today at Udall Park. Despite a few defensive lapses by his defense, right-hander Mike Dawson entered the sixth inning in good shape. Six outs away from a win.

But things can change quickly when a bunch of old timers play the game of baseball.

Team Blue scored four runs in the top of the sixth, thanks mainly to a two-run double from Reed Palmer and singles from Ken Nebesny, Mike Steele and David Byars. Dawson was able to get out of the inning  with a strike out of Brack Whitaker, but the damage was done as Team Blue had closed the gap to 6-5.

In the top of the seventh inning, Team Blue's Pete Maldonado singled, Rob Morse reached on an error and Jimmy Kinion drilled a single to center to bring home Maldonado with the tying run.

Still, Dawson settled down and got the final two outs on a force play at second and a pop up to first baseman Tim Tolson to send the game into the bottom of the seventh.

Now that they had blown the lead, Team White still had a chance to pull out the win. Dawson flied to center for the first out, Pigpen Price singled to left, moved to second on a ground out by Ted Davis, but was left stranded when David Hurley grounded out to Palmer at shortstop, for the final out of the game.

A kiss-your-sister game. No winner...no loser.

Bobby Daliege and John Misiaszek went 3 for 4 for Team White, while Palmer led Team Blue with a 2 for 4 day and three RBI. Brad Vermeer pitched all seven innings for Team Blue, while Dawson struck out three in his seven innings of work.

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