Baseball

Sidewinders avoid sweep with power surge

The Sidewinders hit four first-inning home runs to beat Las Vegas 11-5 today and avoid a four-game sweep by the 51s at Cashman Field. The win enabled the Sidewinders (15-12), who were playing short-handed because of call-ups, injuries and sickness, to remain in first place in the PCL South Division. Steve Garrabrants made his first start above rookie ball after joining Tucson out of extended spring training. The former Arizona State product homered on his first swing to start the game against Heath Totten. Victor Hall followed with a home run, his first in Triple-A. Tucson produced six first-inning hits, including solo home runs by Alan Zinter and Steve Neal. Neal highlighted the 15-hit attack for the Sidewinders with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs. Noochie Varner homered for Tucson in the second as the Sidewinders built a 5-0 lead. Andrew Good pitched six innings for his third win. He allowed six hits and three runs and struck out seven. Las Vegas closed to within 5-4 before Tucson scored six runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach. The Sidewinders (15-12) will travel to Fresno to begin a four-game series with the Grizzlies on Friday night. Casey Fossum (1-0 0.00) will start for Tucson against Kevin Correia (0-1 4.30). Game time is 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on Cool 1450.