Rodriguez drives in six as Colts crush Coyotes again
Published on August 16, 2008 under United League Baseball (ULB)
San Angelo Colts News Release
SAN ANGELO, Texas - For the second straight night, the San Angelo Colts jumped out to an early lead, scoring four in the first, three in the second, and five in the third, en route to their second straight blowout win, beating the Edinburg Coyotes 14-1 in front of 2,763 fans at Foster Field.
Tyrone Pendergrass got things started for the Colts (54-29) in the first off John Maschino (3-6) with a single on the first pitch of the frame. After a walk to John Anderson and a single by Jose Torres loaded the bases, Maschino threw a wild pitch to score one run. Then Andres Rodriguez smoked a line drive off the foul pole in left, a three-run shot to make it 4-0. For Rodriguez, it was his 21st dinger of the year, tying Jason Crosland's team record in the ULB era, set in 2006.
The Colts got three more in the second, two on an RBI single from Rodriguez, and then blew the game open in the third. Bryan Frichter was hit by the first pitch of the inning, and then Wyn Diggs and Albert Gonzalez each walked on four pitches. After a sacrifice fly by Pendergrass made it 8-0, Anderson reached on an infield single for another run, and then first baseman Robert Matlock threw wildly to third to bring home Gonzalez. Rodriguez picked up his season-best sixth RBI of the night on another single to then chase Maschino, who lasted just 2 1/3 innings and allowed 12 runs on seven hits, while walking seven.
Lefty Miguel Martinez walked two more men in the inning to force home the 12th Colts run, and the offenses cooled off after that. San Angelo scored only once more, with an RBI double by Anderson and an RBI single by Torres in the sixth against Julio Castro.
Edinburg's lone run came in the sixth inning, when a walk and a hit batter by lefty Frank James (7-5) ended up costing him when Argelis Nunez doubled down the left field line with two outs. But otherwise, James was brilliant, allowing six hits while striking out six in seven strong innings. It was his second straight start on three days rest, and he followed up a seven-inning, two-run win at Harlingen with this slightly better performance.
James was also helped by four double plays hit into by the Coyotes (41-44), including inning-ending grounders in the third and fourth. He now is ensured of ending the season above .500. Robert Romero pitched his second 1-2-3 eighth inning in as many nights and Miliade Venas threw a scoreless ninth to finish it up.
The Colts have not lost a series that was played without a rainout in the second half of the season and have clinched the best record in terms of winning percentage in the three-year history of the United League, as well as the best record in the nine years of the Colts.
But they still need four more wins to get their first ULB title and the second in franchise history, which is their ultimate goal.
Notes: Rodriguez trails Danny Bravo of Amarillo now by four points in the batting race, .372 to .368, going into the final day of the season, after his 3-for-5 day. Rodriguez now has 107 RBIs...Pendergrass picked up two steals, giving him 399 in his career, while Anderson's steal of second in the second gave him a new career high of 25, breaking his 24 in his 2006 MVP year with the Colts...Maschino and last night's starter, Carlos Jan, are a combined 0-5 with 44 runs allowed in 15 1/3 innings against the Colts this year. They are 5-5 against the rest of the league.
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The Colts conclude their regular season schedule at 6:05 on Sunday, August 17 against Edinburg with Fan Appreciation Night. Colts fans have the chance to take home giveaway items from throughout the year, and then will be treated to postgame fireworks, sponsored by Adobe Signs & T-Shirts and KLST. 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 16, 2008
- Rodriguez drives in six as Colts crush Coyotes again - San Angelo Colts
- Coyotes Fall Early - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Dillas Game Canceled - Amarillo Dillas
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