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Thunder Storm from Behind to Beat WhiteWings

August 21, 2009 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


Harlingen - Down 3-0 early, the Coastal Bend Thunder scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game and two runs in the eighth to beat the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings 5-4 tonight at Harlingen Field. The WhiteWings lead over the Thunder is down to two and one-half games for the fourth and final playoff spot.

The WhiteWings (34-36) struck right away against Alejandro Martinez (3-2). Agustin Septimo led off with a bunt-single. Joaquin Rodriguez followed with a single and Rico Santana hit a ball under the glove of Amadeo Zazueta at shortstop to score Septimo. One out later, Juan Melo hit an RBI-single to make it 2-0.

Jose Torres was hit by a pitch to start of the second inning. One out later, Sandy DeLeon singled and moved to second on the throw to third, which wasn't in time. Septimo followed by hitting a grounder to first, allowing Bryan Vicker to throw home to nail Torres. Rodriguez hit an RBI-single, however, to make it 3-0.

Carlos Artiles retired nine of the first ten Thunder (31-38) hitters he faced, but in the fourth, he had to pitch around two walks and a single. In the fifth, Ivan Villaescusa hit a one-out single and Dustin Smith reached on a fielder's choice. He stole second and Michael Lewis walked. The runners attempted a double-steal, and the throw to third went into left field, allowing Smith to score to make it 3-1.

Chris Lewis and Manny Mejia led off the sixth inning with singles. After a sacrifice bunt, Carlos Rodriguez hit an RBI-groundout to make it 3-2.

Juan Diaz (5-4) took over in the seventh and allowed a leadoff single to Villaescusa. After Smith popped up a bunt, Michael Lewis successfully bunted Villaescusa to second. Zazueta hit an RBI-single to tie the game 3-3.

With one out in the top of the eighth, Rodriguez was hit by a pitch and Vickers singled. A passed ball moved the runners up. DeLeon attempted to make the throw to third, but it went into leftfield, allowing Rodriguez to score and Vickers to move to third. Villaescusa followed with an RBI-single to make it 5-3 Thunder.

The WhiteWings responded in the bottom of the eighth. Melo hit a leadoff double and Baez followed with an RBI-single to make it 5-4.

The WhiteWings loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning against Benny Cepeda, who recorded his ninth save by striking out Melo on three pitches and getting Baez to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game.

The WhiteWings and Thunder play game three of this four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 at Harlingen Field. Right-hander Reymond Cruz (6-5) is expected to face former San Diego Padres right-hander J.J. Trujillo (4-2).

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