WhiteWings's lead over Thunder shrinks

Published on August 22, 2009 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


Harlingen - The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings's lead over the Coastal Bend Thunder for the fourth and final playoff spot shrunk to one and a half games tonight after a 5-3 loss at Harlingen Field.

The WhiteWings (34-37) got on the board against J.J. Trujillo (5-2) in the bottom of the second before recording their first hit. Brian Nichols reached on an error by second baseman Chris Lewis and then stole second base standing up. Juan Melo then reached on another error by Lewis, moving Nichols to third. Welinson Baez followed with an RBI- groundout to make it 1-0.

The Thunder (32-38) responded against Reymond Cruz (6-6) in the top of the third. Kevin Butler led off with a single and then Dustin Smith hit a chopper over Baez, who was coming in from third to protect against the bunt, for a double, moving Butler to third. Amadeo Zazueta followed with an RBI-single and Lewis hit an RBI-groundout to make it 2-1.

Alex Fernandez and Manny Mejia led off the top of the sixth inning with singles. Two outs later, Ivan Villescusa drew a seven-pitch walk and then Butler drew a walk to force-in a run. Smith followed with a two-run single to make it 5-1.

The WhiteWings got one back in the bottom of the seventh. Juan Cabrera and Jose Torres hit leadoff single and Justin Holloway grounded into a double play to move Cabrera to third. Agustin Septimo followed with an RBI-single to make it 5-2.

The WhiteWings got their final run in the bottom of the ninth. Baez drew a leadoff four-pitch walk and Cabrera singled. Torres hit into a double play, moving Baez to third. Holloway followed with an RBI-single

That was it against Trujillo, who scattered eight hits and one walk while striking out four in his fourth complete game in his last five starts.

The WhiteWings and Thunder play for the final time this season tomorrow night at 7:05 at Harlingen Field. Right-hander David Cross (1-0) is expected to face left-hander Frank James Jr. (3-5).

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United League Baseball Stories from August 22, 2009


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