WhiteWings Walk off to Extend Lead to 3.5 Games

Published on August 20, 2009 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


Harlingen - Juan Melo hit an RBI-infield-single with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings to a 7-6 win over the Coastal Bend Thunder tonight at Harlingen Field, extending their lead to three and one-half games for the fourth and final playoff spot.

With the game tied 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Rangel (1-5) allowed a leadoff single to Agustin Septimo. After Joaquin Rodriguez laid down a sacrifice bunt, Rico Santana walked. A wild pitch moved the runners up, prompting an intentional walk of Brian Nichols. Benny Cepeda came in and Melo hit a chopper to the drawn in Michael Lewis at second base that he could not field to give the WhiteWings the win.

The WhiteWings are now winners of six in a row for the first time since doing so from June 18-through-23 in 2007.

The Thunder (30-38) got on the board against Juan Peralta with two outs in the top of the second inning. Bryan Vickers singled and Amadeo Zazueta followed with an RBI-double to make it 1-0.

The WhiteWings (34-35) responded against Ricardo Morales in the bottom of the second. Welinson Baez drew a two-out walk and stole second base. Jose Torres hit an RBI-single and moved to second on the throw to the plate. Juan Cabrera followed with an RBI-single to make it 2-1.

The Thunder took the lead back in the top of the fourth. Alex Fernandez led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Manny Mejia. Carlos Rodriguez followed with a fly ball to right field that was dropped by Cabrera, allowing Rodriguez to reach as Fernandez scored and Mejia moved to second. After a four-pitch walk to Vickers, Zazueta reached on an RBI-fielder's choice and Alfred Joseph hit an RBI-groundout to make it 4-2.

Zazueta led off the top of the seventh with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a groundout. Michael Lewis followed with an RBI-single to make it 5-2.

The WhiteWings rallied to take the lead back in the bottom of the seventh. Baez and Torres led off with singles. With one out, Sandy DeLeon singled with the runners in motion, allowing Baez to score. A double steal attempt led to Torres getting thrown out and DeLeon moving to second. Septimo singled, moving DeLeon to third, and Rodriguez hit an RBI-single. Rico Santana followed with a two-run double to make it 6-5.

The Thunder tied it up in the top of the eighth against Jose Fragoso (1-1). With two outs, Mejia doubled and Carlos Rodriguez was hit by a pitch on an 0-and-2 count. Vickers followed with an RBI-single to make it 6-6.

The WhiteWings and Thunder play game two of this four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 at Harlingen Field. Left-hander Carlos Artiles (2-3) is expected to face right-hander Alejandro Martinez (2-2).

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United League Baseball Stories from August 20, 2009


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