Roadrunners Beat WhiteWings in Season Finale

Published on September 3, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


HARLINGEN- Backup catcher Eric Bloom started his fifth consecutive game behind the plate, collected an RBI double and scored a run, then pitched four scoreless innings of relief to earn a save in Edinburg's 8-4 victory against Rio Grande Valley Monday night at Harlingen Field.

"He's been bugging me all year about being able to throw," said Roadrunners manager Vince Moore. "A couple of guys on the other team complimented his knuckleball."

Bloom allowed only two hits and no runs and even struck out two WhiteWings batters in relief of Matison Smith, who started his team-high 19th game of the season for Edinburg and allowed five earned runs in five innings.

Smith (9-6), who also struck out six batters and allowed eight hits and a walk, was the only non-position player to pitch in the season finale as both teams elected to rest their pitching staffs for the playoffs.

As a result, former WhiteWing Luis Sumoza connected for a 3-run home run in the top of the seventh off Jhonaldo Pozo, normally a catcher, to conclude the scoring of the game, and regular outfielder James Mays got the start for Rio Grande Valley (51-44). Mays (0-1) pitched five plus innings while allowing nine hits and walking two. Robert Moron also pitched two innings for the WhiteWings.

The Roadrunners (60-36) took the lead in the top of the sixth when Stantrel Smith and Felix Molina chased Mays with singles. Pozo, who retired all three batters he faced in his professional pitching debut on Sunday, came on with a 4-3 lead but allowed a game-tying hit to Tim Battle with one out and the go-ahead Texas League single to right to pinch-hitter Pascual Del Real with two out.

Catcher Mario Mercedes finished with two hits to finish with a .300 batting average for the WhiteWings and also led the team in games played with 87, 28 more than he ever played seven seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization.

The loss drops the WhiteWings to a final third place finish in the United Division, a half game behind second place Fort Worth. Rio Grande Valley has lost nine of their last 12 games.

Rio Grande Valley and regular season United Division champion Edinburg meet in the first game of the best-of-three opening playoff round Tuesday night at Harlingen Field. Celson Polanco (12-4) pitches for Rio Grande Valley against Miguel Martinez (11-4) at 7:05 p.m.

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North American League Stories from September 3, 2012


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