Offense Powers 6-4 Win
August 16, 2009 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Coastal Bend Thunder News Release
August 16, 2009 - Robstown, TX - The Thunder brought the good wood to the ballpark this evening. After exploding for a four run first inning, the offense kept the pressure on the Edinburg pitching staff all evening en route to a 6-3 win at Fairgrounds Field. Alejandro Martinez struck out nine while allowing three runs (one earned) in five innings of work to earn his second win since joining the Thunder midseason. Alex Fernandez led the way for the Coastal Bend offense this evening driving in two on two hits and scoring a run as well. The win improves the Thunder to 29-35 in United League Baseball this season.
A couple walks came back to hurt Thunder starter Alejandro Martinez in the first inning of tonight's contest. Edinburg plated one run without the benefit of a hit. On a steal attempt, Manny Mejia's throw ended up in shallow leftfield, which allowed Wilmer to score. Martinez came back nicely to limit the damage after the two walks to start the inning.
Coastal Bend answered back with four runs on three hits in the home half of the inning to grab a 4-1 lead. With one out, Chris Lewis singled, and next batter, Alex Fernandez, doubled him home on the hit-and-run. Fernandez would score when Manny Mejia reached singled thanks to Carlos Hereaud's misplay of the shallow pop fly. Carlos Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, and he and Mejia advanced to second and third respectively on a wild pitch. Bryan Vickers sacrifice fly drove in Mejia and sent Rodriguez to third. Zazueta's bloop single to right allowed Rodriguez to cross the plate.
The Thunder added to their lead in the bottom half with another run. Alfred Joseph touched home to extend the lead to five on Alex Fernandez's second hit of the evening.
Edinburg answered back with a run in the top half of the third. Robert Matlock took advantage of a tricky hop in the outfield in front of Alex Fernandez to score on a Bryan Smith single to cut the lead to three.
Coastal Bend saw its lead shrink to two after the RoadRunners added a single tally in the top of the fourth. Ryan Matlock's sacrifice fly drove in Nick Aranda making the score 5-3. Alex Fernandez made a nice running grab on what looked like a for sure double to end the Edinburg threat.
The Thunder used the momentum from Fernandez's to extend their lead. Alfred Joseph made a nifty slide to score on Chris Lewis' sacrifice fly. The ball beat Joseph to the plate, but as the Edinburg catcher caught the ball, he moved too far into foul territory and lost his balance as Joseph juked, slid quickly in fair territory to his left, and scored pushing the lead to three.
Alex Gett relieved Martinez in the sixth inning. Gett surrendered a run on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Matlock after giving up the leadoff walk to Nick Aranda, which cut the score to 6-4. The Thunder reliever regrouped to strike out the side in the top of the seventh and preserved the two run cushion. Carlos Rangel took over in the eighth and pitched a scoreless frame while striking out one RoadRunner hitter. Benny Cepeda closed out the ninth for his eighth save of the season. Cepeda did not allow a hit and struck out one. The Thunder bullpen combined to allow just one run on two hits in the final four innings of the contest.
Coastal Bend and Edinburg will meet for game two of this four game series Monday at Fairgrounds Field in Robstown. Monday is $2 Margarita Monday and Ladies Night. All ladies 21 and up get in free and participate in all on-field games.
United League Baseball Stories from August 16, 2009
- Roadrunners Drop Opening Game To Thunder - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Dillas Miscue Gives Colts Game 1 - San Angelo Colts
- Offense Powers 6-4 Win - Coastal Bend Thunder
- Doubleheader wins give Dillas seventh straight victory - Amarillo Dillas
- Broncos swept in DH - Laredo Broncos
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