James Outduels Haines in 1-0 Victory
Published on July 9, 2009 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Coastal Bend Thunder News Release
July 9, 2009 -- Robstown, TX -- Both starting pitchers were locked in from the first pitch tonight in front a loud and enthusiastic crowd of 2,226 at Fairgrounds Field. Frank James came out on top in the pitcher's duel for the home team as Coastal Bend won by a final score of 1-0. The Thunder lefty allowed no runs on only 4 hits in his 8 innings of work. In his two starts for the Thunder since being acquired before the last road trip, James has allowed only 1 run and 9 hits in his 13.2 innings of work. He features a fastball with good movement in the upper 80's and a slow, sharp-breaking 12-6 curveball to keep opposing hitters off-balance.
Coastal Bend broke through in the first, and as it turned out, it was the only run scored in tonight's contest. After Goss, Zazueta, and Ventura reached via a hit by pitch and two walks respectively, Manny Mejia drove a ball to deep centerfield for a sacrifice fly that allowed Goss to score from third on the play. However, the one run was all the Thunder would score in the inning despite having the bases loaded and nobody out.
Both offenses had their chances in the rest of the game despite the few hits for each offense. Both pitchers effectively stranded runners as both combined for 15 runners left on base.
Coastal Bend took their 1-0 lead to the top of the ninth and manager "Dirty Al" Gallagher handed the ball over to Benny Cepeda looking for his 5th save of the season. Cepeda pitched a scoreless frame for the Thunder to preserve the shutout and the win.
With the win, Coastal Bend improves to 16-12 and into sole possession of second place as the team travels to Edinburg for a 4-game series and then to San Angelo for another 4-game series. The Thunder's next home game will be Saturday, July 18 against the Amarillo Dillas.
United League Baseball Stories from July 9, 2009
- Thunder Slips Past Roadrunners - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Colts Take Series from Broncos - San Angelo Colts
- WhiteWings Win on Walk-Off Bunt - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- James Outduels Haines in 1-0 Victory - Coastal Bend Thunder
- Broncos Lose Pitcher's Duel - Laredo Broncos
- Septimo Named Johnny True Value Player of the Month for June - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
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