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SALT LAKE CITY — Mike Bacsik woke up at 5:30 a.m. Thursday in a communist country. Eighteen hours later, he arrived in Tucson to see his Sidewinders celebrate a Game 2 victory. Twelve hours after that, he flew with his team to Salt Lake City.

You couldn't wipe the weary smile off his face, even before he pitched a perfect eighth inning Friday night.

Bacsik pitched for the U.S. team in the qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympics. The Americans defeated Cuba 8-5 in Tuesday's gold medal game in Havana.

"That was the highlight of my baseball life," said the 28-year-old lefty. "I was almost crying after the game, I was so excited for the team."

The best part of the tournament, Bacsik said, was when a few Cuba-based Marines arrived to cheer on the Americans in Havana.

"Twenty United States fans out of 45,000," Bacsik joked.

Bacsik lost the team's only game — the U.S. went 8-1 in the tournament — and Sidewinders manager Chip Hale was upset Bacsik didn't pitch more.

But even Hale understood why he went.

"Those are special times," Hale said. "I think he felt that at his age this was an important thing to do. If he were a homegrown Diamondback, probably he wouldn't have gone, because he would have had a chance to get called up.

"He'll be a big part of this. I'm glad to have him back."

Fleeced?

The Sidewinders are in the playoffs because of a trade they made with the Bees on March 8. In what has to be one of the most lopsided Triple-A deals in years, the Sidewinders traded pitcher Jason Bulger for infielder Alberto Callaspo.

Callaspo — squeezed out of the Bees by prospects — was one of the league's best players this year. He finished the season with a league-best 165 hits and batted .337. He averaged one strikeout per 20.52 plate appearances, best in the minor leagues.

Bulger was 2-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 27 bullpen appearances before landing on the disabled list.

Inside pitch

● Third baseman Jamie D'Antona made his first start for the Sidewinders, batting fifth and serving as the designated hitter. The Double-A call-up went 0 for 3 with an RBI.

● Alberto Gonzalez returned to shortstop two nights after hyperextending his right knee.

● Former Jazz general manager and coach Frank Layden stood on top of the Sidewinders' dugout and sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."