Gilleras RBI in 10th Propels T-Birds at Chandler-Gilbert, 4-3(10)

Chandler, AZ- Johnny Gilleras delivered his first hit of the season at the biggest time of the tenth inning for the Thunderbirds as it put Mesa ahead 4-3 and helped put away Chandler-Gilbert Tuesday afternoon.

Mesa's bats were quiet till the seventh inning when down 3-0, they used classic Tony Cirelli "small ball" to put guys on, move them over and get them in.

The inning started off with a Drew Bailey walk, followed by a Hunter Bross sac bunt attempt that ended up being a bunt single because of the hustle of Bross to get to first.  After a balk moved Bailey and Bross up, a Coyote wild pitch scored Bailey and moved Bross to third.

Kody Funderburk then grounded softly to second which allowed Bross to score from third, making it a 3-2 contest.

Mesa wasn't done in the inning as Jarred Crockett walked, then stole second and on a Drew Lawerence single to left, Crockett raced around and tied the game at three.

Matt Mosca pitched well through seven innings and the Mesa bullpen did their job as Brek Bentley, John Cranston and Nick Ohanian came in and shut down the Coyotes through innings 8-10.

In the top of the tenth, with the bases loaded and one out, Johnny Gilleras singled to left field to score Mitchell Morimoto and give Mesa the go ahead 4-3 lead.

Ohanian finished the 10th and recorded the save.

Mesa and Chandler-Gilbert will be back at it tomorrow in Mesa, first pitch at 3 p.m.