Thunder rolls in the ninth
July 5, 2009 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Coastal Bend Thunder News Release
July 5, 2009 - AMARILLO, TX - Leivi Ventura's three-run homer in the ninth inning, started a four run comeback for the Thunder and moved them into a tie for second place in the United League standings.
Amarillo Dillas pitchers Jesse Rodriguez and Andy Noonan held the Coastal Bend Thunder to four hits thorough eight innings but a four-run ninth gave Coastal Bend a 4-3 victory over the Dillas on Sunday night in front of 1,982 fans at the Amarillo National Bank Dilla Villa.
Amarillo reliever Matt Smith (1-1) got the loss as he gave up all four runs in the ninth inning, while Thunder reliever Alex Gett (2-1) got the win in an inning and a third of scoreless relief.
Amarillo would take an early lead in the second inning as Trent Lockwood walked, went to third on an Andrew Wong single and scored on a pass ball to take a 1-0 lead.
The Dillas would extend the lead in the third as Brian Bueno walked, went to second on a Keanon Simon sacrifice, to third on a Rafael Ozuna groundout and scored on a Carlos Figueroa single to move Amarillo up by the score of 2-0.
Rodriguez wouldn't need much more than that as he retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced and allowed only two hits before leaving after the sixth inning.
Amarillo would add an insurance run in the seventh inning as Simon singled, went to second on an Ozuna walk and scored on Figueroa's second RBI for a 3-0 lead.
Dillas reliever Andy Noonan came in and pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, but Smith started the ninth by hitting Dustin Smith, allowing a Mike Goss single and a three-run home run by Leivi Ventura to tie the game. Manny Mejia doubled to knock out Smith, while Coby Mavroulis came in and got a double play ball that should have ended the inning, but the out at third was not made to score Mejia from third to give the Thunder a 4-3 lead.
Thunder closer Benny Cepeda pitched a perfect ninth for his third save to give Coastal Bend the win.
With the loss, the Dillas improve to 13-11, while the Thunder improve to 13-11. Monday, the Thunder return home to Fairgrounds Field to face the Edinburg Roadrunners @ 7:05 for the first game of a four-game series.
It's Margarita Monday-Ladies Night - All Ladies 21 and up get in free and participate in all on-field games. Don't miss this one guys!!! It's also Luxury Suite give-away night. One lucky fan, 21 and over, will win a Luxury Suite for a game. The Thunder will have this drawing for all four games this home stand.
United League Baseball Stories from July 5, 2009
- Broncos Bust Out Bats In Victory Over Colts - Laredo Broncos
- Thunder rolls in the ninth - Coastal Bend Thunder
- Roadrunners Sweep WhiteWings - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Thunder Rolls in the Ninth - Amarillo Dillas
- WhiteWings Blown Away - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Roadrunners Race Past WhiteWings - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Colts get fourth of July win - San Angelo Colts
- Broncos' sloppy play costs them in loss - Laredo Broncos
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
