Aviators Rally Late, but Not Enough, as Edinburgh Wins 7-6

Published on August 12, 2003 under American Association (AA)
Coastal Bend Aviators News Release


Robstown, Texas – Edinburg narrowed the Aviators first place lead to one game with a 7-6 win over Coastal Bend Tuesday night at Aviators Stadium. Down 7-2 in the ninth inning, Coastal Bend rallied for four runs but couldn't muster out two more to overcome the Roadrunners. Aaron Dobbins took the loss the Aviators to lower his record to 4-6. Ryan Harris picked up the win for Edinburg to move his record to 9-2. Chris Russ picked up his 15th save for the Roadrunners.

Edinburg scored three runs on a two out rally in the top of the first inning. Anthony Angel singled to in the beginning of the inning and made his way around the base path as first baseman Derek Henderson and centerfielder Vincent Moore both reached on errors. Henderson and Moore later scored on a single third baseman William Roland, giving the Roadrunners a quick 3-0 lead.

Carlos Adolfo hit a solo homerun over the wall in left field to put the Aviators on the board, but that was all Coastal Bend could produce. Edinburg muscled in two more runs in the top of the second inning when Aaron Sisk started off the inning with a single, Eric Gonzalez doubled to right field to move Sisk over to third, Anthony Angel was granted a walk to load the bases and Aviators hurler Aaron Dobbins walked Benjamin Cordova to bring in a run. The Roadrunner scored their second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Derek Henderson which scored Gonzalez.

The scoreboard read 5-1 until the top of the sixth when Edinburg brought in two more runs. With two outs, Cordova walked his way on to first, Henderson doubled to score Cordova and next batter, Vincent Moore doubled to score Henderson and give Edinburg the 7-2 lead. Coastal Bend was able to bring in a run with one out in the bottom of the sixth when catcher Gregg Maluchnik tripled and Mark Bugger hit a sacrifice fly to right field deep enough to score Maluchnik and shorten the Roadrunners lead to five.

The Aviators rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth. Carlos Adolfo singled his way on, advanced to second on a single by Matt Mann and scored on a single by Cris Colon. Next batter Jermaine Swinton smacked the ball to deep right center for a stand up triple to score Mann and Colon to bring the score to 7-5. Swinton crossed the plate when designated hitter Scott Merkich hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, Chris Russ, but was booted, allowing all to be safe, making the score 7-6. Maldonado was walked putting men on first and second. Gregg Maluchnik grounded into a double play to end the game and the Aviators rally fell short.

The Aviators play the final game of the three-game-series tomorrow night at Aviators Stadium. The Aviators will send Jake Carney (6-2) to the mound while Pedro Flores (10-3) will get the call for the Roadrunners. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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American Association Stories from August 12, 2003


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