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WhiteWings Win Big

July 24, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


HARLINGEN- Ruddy Yan hit his first home run of the season to highlight a 9-run first inning that propelled the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings to a 17-5 victory against the McAllen Thunder Tuesday night at Harlingen Field.

Yan, a 30-year-old switch-hitting veteran who made his professional debut in 2000, hit his first home run since 2010 when he took lefthander Frank James (4-5) deep down the left field line as the WhiteWings' (33-24) 10th hitter of the inning. The home run was controversial, as James and Thunder (20-38) manager Al Gallagher argued to no avail the ball was actually hit foul, gave Rio Grande Valley an 8-0 lead in a 13-batter inning.

"He hung a change-up in the middle of the plate," said Yan, who raised his arms in triumph at home plate as he watched his blast. "I had a good swing; home run!"

While Yan would finish with four hits, three runs, and three runs batted in on the day, starting pitcher Celson Polanco (7-3) tied for the North American Baseball League lead in victories by allowing two earned runs and four hits in a five-inning stint. He would also strike out six hitters and walk just one batter.

Leugim Barroso also had three doubles for the WhiteWings, scored twice, and drove in two runs.

The Thunder were so shorthanded due to injuries they were forced to start pitcher Jeff Sakowski in right field until asking him to mop up in the seventh inning. He would finish by recording two hits in four at bats, scoring twice and driving in a run. The two teams will meet tonight in the third game of the four game series at 7:05 p.m. for the WhiteWings' "Christmas in July" promotion, where the first 500 fans will receive glow in the dark baseballs from AEB.

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