Palmer hits 4th homer of the year -- his 98th TOTS' career home run

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer, 65, blasted his fourth homer of the year and his 98th career home run with the organization today as Team White beat Team Blue 12-8 in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game at Udall Park.

Palmer, who owns the TOTS' single-season home run record with 30 (set in 2017), hit a two-run shot over the right field fence this morning in the bottom of the first inning off Team Blue right-hander Pete Maldonado. Team White never trailed in the game with a three-run first inning, three more in the third, three in the fourth and three runs in the fifth inning.

Mike Dawson and Joe Opocensky combined for five RBI and both players went 3 for 3 in the game, while Ernesto Escala had two hits and drove in three runs for Team White. Palmer also singled, scored twice and knocked in three runs. John Cooke doubled, scored twice and knocked in a run.

As for Team Blue, Thunder Tim Tolson went 3 for 4 with a double and one run-batted-in, while Mike Steele had two hits, scored twice and drove in two runs. Bobby Long had a hit and drove in three of Team Blue's eight runs.

Dawson pitched all seven innings for Team White to pick up the win. He struck out five. Maldonado was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will close out the week with a game on Friday at Udall. Game time: 8:30 a.m. 

Photo: Palmer hit career homer No. 98 today.