Thunder beat Whitewings

Published on June 16, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


EDINBURG- The McAllen Thunder (7-16) scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to end a three game losing streak and beat the Rio Grande Valley Whitewings (13-9), 9-7, Saturday night at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

Down 4-3 heading into the frame, Brian Nichols and Nick Mahin greeted Rio Grande Valley starter Yobanny Reyes (2-3) with hits to chase the former Yankees farmhand. But situational lefty Enrique Garcia did not halt the Thunder's rally, instead failing to retire any of the three batters he faced.

"It was the mental mistakes we made," said Whitewings manager Eddie Dennis Sr., who was ejected in the eighth inning by umpire Javier Cantu arguing a steal of third by McAllen's Roberto Rodriguez, who went on to score the Thunder's ninth and final run. "There was a throwing error [by third baseman Bryan Marquez] that allowed the inning to continue."

This error on a sacrifice attempt by pinch-hitter Michael Lewis allowed Nichols to score the tying run in the sixth inning before Matt Redding would drove in both Mahin and Lewis with a sharp single to left to give McAllen a 6-4 lead.

Though Reyes did not allow a hit through the first four innings and no earned runs through five, he took the loss while Frank James (2-1) got 11 Rio Grande Valley batters to either pop or fly out and earn a workmanlike victory.

"I messed up a bunch today, but sometimes it works out with the wind blowing in," said James, who threw 106 innings in seven-plus innings. "I wanted them to hit it into the wind."

The two teams meet for the rubber match of the series tonight at 6:05 p.m.

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North American League Stories from June 16, 2012


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