Salt Lake Buzz right fielder Matt Lawton won't likely forget his first home run at Franklin Quest Field.
Lawton, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, needed a single to drive home the game-tying and winning runs Monday night against the Tucson Toros. Instead he drove a 3-1 fastball down the first-base line and over the right-field fence - just barely staying fair - for his first ever professional grand slam.The blast gave the Buzz a 7-4 victory in front of 8,139 Franklin Quest Field fans.
"I knew with two outs and the bases loaded that we would win the game with a single," said Lawton, whose only previous homer this season came on the road. "So I went up there just trying to get a single."
Tucson reliever Jeff Tabaka missed the strike zone on the first three pitches. Lawton took a called strike and the count went to 3-1. Knowing Tabaka didn't want to walk home the game-tying run, Lawton figured he'd get a good pitch to hit.
"He threw a fastball low and inside, which is where I was looking," Lawton said. "I finally got some good wood on the ball."
Lawton entered the contest with five RBI on the year for the Buzz in 19 games. He drove in five more runs in Monday's game alone.
The Buzz are now 31-28 on the year, while Tucson fell to 27-30.
Both starting pitchers - Tucson's Chris Holt and Salt Lake's Scott Klingenbeck - turned in good performances. Holt gave up seven hits and three runs in eight innings while striking out nine. Klingenbeck scattered eight hits and struck out six in 71/3 innings.
The game was tied, 3-3, entering the eighth when an error by Buzz first baseman Jamie Ogden aided the Toros in scoring the go-ahead run.
Brett Brede singled to open the ninth for the Buzz. Damian Miller reached base on an error to give Salt Lake runners at first and second with no outs. A sacrifice bunt by Ogden advanced the runners to second and third. Kevin Reimer was then walked intentionally to load the bases with one out. Chris Latham struck out looking to set up Lawton's two-out heroics.
Buzz reliever Phil Stidham (4-2) pitched 12/3 scoreless innings to earn the victory.
In other Buzz news Monday, veteran infielder Brian Raabe was recalled by the parent Minnesota Twins. Raabe, who spent the entire '94 and '95 seasons with the Buzz, was leading the PCL with a .370 batting average. He also was first in the league in doubles and was second or third in the league in hits , on-base percentage (.420), slugging percentage (.615), extra-base hits and runs scored .
"He's the best hitter in the league," said Buzz manager Phil Roof of Raabe. "He's refined his game to the point that he knows what he can do. I feel sure he can help the big league ballclub. He's put in his time and paid his dues and I'm happy for him."
To make room for Raabe on the roster, former Buzz reliever Dave Stevens was placed on the disabled list.
BUZZ BRIEFS: Buzz pitcher Brett Roberts was selected by Howe Sportsdata as the PCL pitcher of the week. Roberts pitched a complete-game shutout against the Tacoma Raniers last Thursday . . . Jazz Dream-Teamers John Stockton and Karl Malone spent the first evening of their off season with their families at the Buzz game Monday night . . . The Buzz and Toros will complete their four-game series tonight. Buzz right-hander Marc Barcelo (1-0, 5.56 ERA) is scheduled to start against Tucson RHP Doug Mlicki (2-6, 6.37 ERA) . . . After being struck out looking in the ninth, Latham was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Mike Everitt.