Colts lose opener of road trip, 6-4
August 9, 2008 - United League Baseball (ULB)
San Angelo Colts News Release
ALEXANDRA, La. - The San Angelo Colts began their week-long road trip in a big way with a first inning two-run homer by Andres Rodriguez, who took sole possession of the league lead with 19. However, the Colts (48-29) couldn't sustain the offense, as they let an early 4-1 lead slip away and fell to the Alexandria Aces 6-4 in the opener of a three-game series.
After Rodriguez blasted his third home run in his last five games, the Aces (48-31) got on the board in the bottom of the first against Colts starter Frank James. Luis Guance was hit by a pitch with one out and scored on a triple by Selwyn Langaigne to make it 2-1. The Colts answered right back in the top of the second, scoring what turned out to be their final runs of the night on a two-out, two-run single by Tyrone Pendergrass, putting San Angelo ahead 4-1. The Colts managed just four hits and six baserunners from the third inning on as Aces starter Chad Linder (6-3) settled down to pick the win.
James didn't make it out of the third and was charged with all three runs in the frame as the Aces tied the game at 4-4. After two of the first three batters reached, Rafael Ozuna hit an RBI single to make it 4-2. James walked a batter to load the bases and then hit Jose Umbria with a pitch to force in a run. The next batter, Homy Ovalles, singled in a run to knot the score at 4-4 and chase James from the game. The lefty received a no-decision though as Brian Wilburn (0-2) came in and induced Eddie Fitzpatrick to ground into an inning-ending double play. In fact, Wilburn induced two more inning-ending double plays, one in the fourth and one in the fifth, but took his second loss with the Colts.
In the fifth is when the Aces took the lead for good. Andre Marshall led off the inning with a single off Wilburn, stole second, went to third on a single by Umbria, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ovalles to give Alexandria its first lead of the night, 5-4. The Aces then made it 6-4 in the sixth with a two-out, RBI double by Ozuna.
Once given the lead, Linder and the Aces' bullpen shut down the Colts' potent offense, as San Angelo came into play with the highest team batting average (.310) and the Aces came in with the lowest team ERA (5.03). Linder wound up lasting 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts and three walks. The lefty combined with relievers Angel Guzman, Ronald Ramirez, B.J. Litchfield, and closer Juan Ovalles to retire 11 batters in a row until John Anderson singled with two out in the ninth. Guzman, Ramirez, and Litchfield combined for 3 2/3 hitless innings, and Ovalles recorded his 11th save, although the Colts did bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth after Anderson's single, but Jose Torres grounded out to end the game.
Notes: With the win, Alexandria has clinched at least a split of the season series with the Colts as the Aces have now won nine of the first 16 meetings, with still two left to play...Tyrone Pendergrass had three hits in his first three at-bats, making him 8-for-his-last-8 at that point as he was 5-for-5 on Thursday. All eight hits were singles. However, Pendergrass struck out in the sixth and came out of the game after that, as he appeared to injure his right hand in his third at-bat when he tried to bunt his way on but bunted it foul...Albert Gonzalez, who was with Alexandria earlier this season, played left field after Pendergrass came out of the game. Gonzalez played part of one game in the outfield this season, playing center field on May 14 for the Aces...Aces LF Bryan Sabatella, who was called out on strikes in the first inning, was called out on strikes again to end the second inning and he was ejected by home plate umpire Kate Sargeant after he threw down his bat and began to argue.
The Colts continue this three-game series in Alexandria with game two at 7:05 p.m. CT on Saturday. San Angelo returns for the final home series of the regular season on Friday, August 15, with a Back-to-School Kit Giveaway, sponsored by 211 Texas at the 7:05 p.m. game against Edinburg. Advertising, ticket, and group information are available by calling the box office at (325) 942-6587. All Colts games are broadcast live on "Cool 100" - KCLL 100.1 FM and online at the Colts' official website, www.sanangelocolts.com, which is updated daily with the latest team news.
United League Baseball Stories from August 9, 2008
- Aces comeback falls just short - Alexandria Aces
- Coyotes Take Game Two, Extend Playoff Lead - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Bravo Plays All Nine Positions to Lead Dillas Past WhiteWings, 12-8 - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Broncos Playoff Hopes Slipping Away After loss to Coyotes - Laredo Broncos
- Colts lose opener of road trip, 6-4 - San Angelo Colts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
