The Broncos snuck by Harlingen, 4-3, on Thursday but are still in a virtual tie for the fourth and final playoff spot after Edinburg swept a doubleheader against San Angelo earlier in the evening.
The Coyotes won the first game, 3-2, before finishing the Colts off in the second, 10-4.
Here's the game story from the Colts' website.
The Broncos, who scored four unanswered runs after Harlingen took a 3-0 lead heading into the third inning, got a gritty effort from Dan Sausville, who improved to 3-3 by allowing three runs on eight hits in six innings of work.
He walked two and struck out four.
Reliever Rusty Jones pitched two scoreless innings before David Watkins secured his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
The Broncos scored on Arnoldo Ponce's sacrifice fly in the third, before a three-run sixth inning that was aided by Matt Imwalle's two-run double and Ben Tinius' RBI single.
The Broncos scored four runs on eight hits. The WhiteWings scored three runs on 12 hits, and committed three errors.
Here's the full detailed game report from the Broncos' website.
Laredo now sits at 35-39 heading into the final game of its three game series against Harlingen on Friday.
Edinburg is at 33-37 as it concludes its series with San Angelo on Friday.
In other ULB action on Thursday, the Alexandria Aces downed the Amarillo Dillas, 8-1.
Luis Guance hit a grand slam in the second inning to boost the Aces, who are in first place in the league.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Broncos get back on the winning track
At least for tonight, the Broncos are back on the winning track.
Laredo claimed a 7-5 win over Harlingen tonight as righty Andy Schon went the whole distance, collecting his league-leading third complete game of the season to improve to 8-3.
The Broncos now sit at 34-39. Edinburg lost to San Angelo, 8-3, on Wednesday so the Broncos move back up a half-game for the fourth and final playoff spot.
The Coyotes will play the Colts in a doubleheader Thursday. Edinburg currently sits at 31-37.
Schon surrendered five runs - three earned - on seven hits while walking two and striking out six.
He got plenty of help from a Bronco offense that produced 11 hits.
With the game tied at 2 into the fourth inning, the Broncos pulled away for good on Matt Imwalle's solo homer, and a two-run shot by Ivan Reyes moments later for a 5-2 lead.
It was Imwalle's second homer of the season, and Reyes' 11th.
Imwalle also added three RBIs in the game.
The WhiteWings managed just seven hits but were efficient with that total, scoring five runs. Amadeo Zazueta hit his third homer of the season, a two-run shot, in the second inning that tied the game at 2.
Todd Lutz fell to 2-6 after being tagged with the loss.
The Broncos will have Sean Donlin (2-4) on the mound on Thursday against the WhiteWings' Bryan Herrera (0-2).
Laredo claimed a 7-5 win over Harlingen tonight as righty Andy Schon went the whole distance, collecting his league-leading third complete game of the season to improve to 8-3.
The Broncos now sit at 34-39. Edinburg lost to San Angelo, 8-3, on Wednesday so the Broncos move back up a half-game for the fourth and final playoff spot.
The Coyotes will play the Colts in a doubleheader Thursday. Edinburg currently sits at 31-37.
Schon surrendered five runs - three earned - on seven hits while walking two and striking out six.
He got plenty of help from a Bronco offense that produced 11 hits.
With the game tied at 2 into the fourth inning, the Broncos pulled away for good on Matt Imwalle's solo homer, and a two-run shot by Ivan Reyes moments later for a 5-2 lead.
It was Imwalle's second homer of the season, and Reyes' 11th.
Imwalle also added three RBIs in the game.
The WhiteWings managed just seven hits but were efficient with that total, scoring five runs. Amadeo Zazueta hit his third homer of the season, a two-run shot, in the second inning that tied the game at 2.
Todd Lutz fell to 2-6 after being tagged with the loss.
The Broncos will have Sean Donlin (2-4) on the mound on Thursday against the WhiteWings' Bryan Herrera (0-2).
Stuff, stuff and more stuff
I know I'm way late, but here's the game story from last night.
Obviously the blog below this one is a lot more telling and informative since I was unable to get quotes for the game story due to deadline.
Also, Edinburg swept its doubleheader against Amarillo last night, winning 9-4 and 3-1.
So the Coyotes are now in the fourth and final playoff spot, a half-game ahead of the Broncos. Edinburg has won two in a row and has won seven of its last 10 games.
To say it's peaking at the right time would be an understatement.
Edinburg is in San Angelo tonight while Laredo is in Harlingen.
I believe righty Andy Schon (7-3, 4.39 ERA) is on the mound tonight for the Broncos. He's had two blatantly poor starts this season - in 13 appearances - but he almost always gives the team a chance to win.
Here's ULB standings heading into tonight's play:
ALEXANDRIA 43-26
SAN ANGELO 41-25
AMARILLO 40-30
EDINBURG 31-36
LAREDO 33-39
HARLINGEN 18-50
Obviously the blog below this one is a lot more telling and informative since I was unable to get quotes for the game story due to deadline.
Also, Edinburg swept its doubleheader against Amarillo last night, winning 9-4 and 3-1.
So the Coyotes are now in the fourth and final playoff spot, a half-game ahead of the Broncos. Edinburg has won two in a row and has won seven of its last 10 games.
To say it's peaking at the right time would be an understatement.
Edinburg is in San Angelo tonight while Laredo is in Harlingen.
I believe righty Andy Schon (7-3, 4.39 ERA) is on the mound tonight for the Broncos. He's had two blatantly poor starts this season - in 13 appearances - but he almost always gives the team a chance to win.
Here's ULB standings heading into tonight's play:
ALEXANDRIA 43-26
SAN ANGELO 41-25
AMARILLO 40-30
EDINBURG 31-36
LAREDO 33-39
HARLINGEN 18-50
Broncos still searching for answers with 18 games left
The Broncos are not a team of accountability. They shy away from responsibility.
They're not a team of the greatest work ethic, and they're not a team devoid of talent and potential.
They're also not a team to point fingers.
"I wish I knew what they were thinking," Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez told me prior to Tuesday's 6-5 loss, Laredo's seventh in its last 11 games. "But I get nothing. When I ask them what the problem is, they beat around the bush. I don't get direct answers. They don't point fingers, none of them do.
"Maybe if they'd talk to you, they'd be honest."
Only, they haven't.
In talking to players, I get probably what Melendez does. The standard responses of "We'll pick it up and things will turn around" or "This team has the talent to be good, we'll get there."
There's no hint of frustration or irritation. It's a "wait and see", shrugging approach. And perhaps that's where the issue stands.
No one seems to care.
Either the Broncos are truly afraid to reveal what's hindering them, or they're like the rest of us, with no idea as to what the problem is.
Veteran slugger Edgard Clemente said he felt the team was pressing... BUT ... that things will turn around and it wasn't a primary concern.
Pitcher Andy Schon said, more or less, the same thing. But he too stated the team is too talented and that it would eventually pick up its play.
Dwayne White, the Broncos' pure hitter, said there is no pressure at all and that the team is unaffected by the string of losses or Edinburg sneaking closer and closer to grabbing the fourth and final playoff spot out of the team's hands.
And then there's pitcher Richard Bartlett's take.
"I think we're a little tired," he said following Tuesday's loss. "We just need a break, we need something to go our way. Once that happens, I think it'll spark us. I've been on teams like this before and I know once we get that spark, we won't be stopped. That's all it takes. It's a matter of who's hot at the end, not the beginning.
"We've got a lot of veteran guys. We know what we're doing. It's not a matter of pressure, it's a matter of getting that something extra to boost us."
Bartlett's reasoning is sound. The Broncos have been up and down all season. In the first half, they were great hitters and poor pitchers. Now, they're great pitchers and poor hitters.
They've been derailed by injuries all throughout, making for roster moves and people being released and brought in.
As talented of a team as they are - and ULB officials and peers say they're the most talented in the league - the baseball gods have not been kind.
"It's not good," Manager Dan Shwam said of the team's vibe and morale. "We have some guys who are still fighting and others who have checked out and are playing for stats. We've got guys sore and tired. We're broken down."
An example, Shwam noted, is that he's scheming for four different rotations throughout the rest of the season, due to pitchers being hurt, wanting extra days of rest or just being flat-out exhausted.
"It's a rollercoaster ride," pitching coach/pitcher Mickey Callaway said. "We're still trying to figure out who and what we are. We should have hoped to have found out by now but it hasn't worked out like that. We're all still plugging along, hoping for answers."
***
Some other notes following Tuesday's game:
Shwam on Tuesday's effort following Monday's lethargic performance: "It was better. The pitching was okay, the bullpen guys gave it up. We got hits too late, as always. We made a rally in the ninth, it happens every game. We fell just a bit short, it happens every game. Same ol' Broncos."
Bartlett on his performance on Tuesday, a no-decision start in which he threw 5 2/3 innings and surrendered three runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking five: "My arm's starting to feel good finally. I was home for two months before I came here so I'm still rounding into shape. I had a good first start but my arm has felt tired since. Now everything's starting to feel good and things are looking up."
Callaway on Tuesday's performance, when he pitched 1/3 of an inning, surrendering two runs on two hits and earning his first loss of the season: "I didn't feel very good. You have good and bad days coming off this (Tommy John) surgery, and this was my first bad day. I was stiff and really couldn't extend through the ball. Everything was flat."
On whether he's ready to start: "I thought I was until (Tuesday). I think I may need a couple of more days off to keep the swelling down but I think I'll be ready soon. Hopefully I'll get a chance to start and then we'll see what happens."
Shwam on Harlingen, the league's worst team and the Broncos' next foe for a three-game series starting today: "This series scares the s*** out of me. It's scary. They're playing for nothing so they'll play loose. They finally get to go home (after staying out of the Valley for an extended time due to the hit of Hurricane Dolly on the area late last week) and that's going to be a relaxed and excited team. Harlingen will have a chip on its shoulder, playing with pride and heart because their people got hammered from the storm."
They're not a team of the greatest work ethic, and they're not a team devoid of talent and potential.
They're also not a team to point fingers.
"I wish I knew what they were thinking," Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez told me prior to Tuesday's 6-5 loss, Laredo's seventh in its last 11 games. "But I get nothing. When I ask them what the problem is, they beat around the bush. I don't get direct answers. They don't point fingers, none of them do.
"Maybe if they'd talk to you, they'd be honest."
Only, they haven't.
In talking to players, I get probably what Melendez does. The standard responses of "We'll pick it up and things will turn around" or "This team has the talent to be good, we'll get there."
There's no hint of frustration or irritation. It's a "wait and see", shrugging approach. And perhaps that's where the issue stands.
No one seems to care.
Either the Broncos are truly afraid to reveal what's hindering them, or they're like the rest of us, with no idea as to what the problem is.
Veteran slugger Edgard Clemente said he felt the team was pressing... BUT ... that things will turn around and it wasn't a primary concern.
Pitcher Andy Schon said, more or less, the same thing. But he too stated the team is too talented and that it would eventually pick up its play.
Dwayne White, the Broncos' pure hitter, said there is no pressure at all and that the team is unaffected by the string of losses or Edinburg sneaking closer and closer to grabbing the fourth and final playoff spot out of the team's hands.
And then there's pitcher Richard Bartlett's take.
"I think we're a little tired," he said following Tuesday's loss. "We just need a break, we need something to go our way. Once that happens, I think it'll spark us. I've been on teams like this before and I know once we get that spark, we won't be stopped. That's all it takes. It's a matter of who's hot at the end, not the beginning.
"We've got a lot of veteran guys. We know what we're doing. It's not a matter of pressure, it's a matter of getting that something extra to boost us."
Bartlett's reasoning is sound. The Broncos have been up and down all season. In the first half, they were great hitters and poor pitchers. Now, they're great pitchers and poor hitters.
They've been derailed by injuries all throughout, making for roster moves and people being released and brought in.
As talented of a team as they are - and ULB officials and peers say they're the most talented in the league - the baseball gods have not been kind.
"It's not good," Manager Dan Shwam said of the team's vibe and morale. "We have some guys who are still fighting and others who have checked out and are playing for stats. We've got guys sore and tired. We're broken down."
An example, Shwam noted, is that he's scheming for four different rotations throughout the rest of the season, due to pitchers being hurt, wanting extra days of rest or just being flat-out exhausted.
"It's a rollercoaster ride," pitching coach/pitcher Mickey Callaway said. "We're still trying to figure out who and what we are. We should have hoped to have found out by now but it hasn't worked out like that. We're all still plugging along, hoping for answers."
***
Some other notes following Tuesday's game:
Shwam on Tuesday's effort following Monday's lethargic performance: "It was better. The pitching was okay, the bullpen guys gave it up. We got hits too late, as always. We made a rally in the ninth, it happens every game. We fell just a bit short, it happens every game. Same ol' Broncos."
Bartlett on his performance on Tuesday, a no-decision start in which he threw 5 2/3 innings and surrendered three runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking five: "My arm's starting to feel good finally. I was home for two months before I came here so I'm still rounding into shape. I had a good first start but my arm has felt tired since. Now everything's starting to feel good and things are looking up."
Callaway on Tuesday's performance, when he pitched 1/3 of an inning, surrendering two runs on two hits and earning his first loss of the season: "I didn't feel very good. You have good and bad days coming off this (Tommy John) surgery, and this was my first bad day. I was stiff and really couldn't extend through the ball. Everything was flat."
On whether he's ready to start: "I thought I was until (Tuesday). I think I may need a couple of more days off to keep the swelling down but I think I'll be ready soon. Hopefully I'll get a chance to start and then we'll see what happens."
Shwam on Harlingen, the league's worst team and the Broncos' next foe for a three-game series starting today: "This series scares the s*** out of me. It's scary. They're playing for nothing so they'll play loose. They finally get to go home (after staying out of the Valley for an extended time due to the hit of Hurricane Dolly on the area late last week) and that's going to be a relaxed and excited team. Harlingen will have a chip on its shoulder, playing with pride and heart because their people got hammered from the storm."
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Into the 9th we go
The Broncos get two runners on with one out but get nothing else.
6-3 Aces into the 9th.
Broncos go down in order
Broncos go down in order for the second straight inning.
Aces lead 6-3 into the 8th.
Callaway out
Callaway is out after letting the first two batters he faced in the 7th on base.
He surrendered the first hit and the first run of his season in the 7th, both with no outs.
Reliever Dave Wasylak is in the game and inherits a baserunner on second base.
Starters done
Both starters are now done.
Bartlett left after throwing 5.2 innings. He surrendered three runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking five.
Linder is done, in is Ronald Ramirez.
Linder pitched five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits.
He walked three and struck out three.
Aces tie the game as Bartlett struggles
Well, so much for a lead.
The Aces tied the game on consecutive RBI hits - a single and a double - from Homy Ovalles and Eddie Fitzpatrick with one out in the sixth.
It was a miserable inning for Bartlett, who surrendered two walks and three hits before being pulled for Mickey Callaway with two outs.
Callaway got out of the inning without further damage.
3-3 into the bottom of the inning.
Broncos take the lead
The Broncos get in on the action, tying the game with one out in the 5th when Johnny Lopez scored on a wild pitch after they put two on to lead off the inning.
Luany Sanchez's RBI single moments later allowed the Broncos the lead, and Ben Tinius added to it when he scored on another Aces error to put the Broncos ahead 3-1.
In other news, Edinburg won the first game of the doubleheader against Amarillo, 9-4. The Broncos' lead on fourth place is a half-game.
Aces can't come through
The Aces put two on with one out but can't capitalize as they still lead 1-0.
Same score into the 5th
The Broncos put two on with two outs before Arnoldo Ponce struck out to end the 4th.
1-0 Aces into the 5th.
Aces get on the board
The Aces get on the scoreboard when Bryan Sabatella scored off a fielder's choice by Jose Umbria with one out in the 4th.
1-0 Aces into the bottom of the inning.
Still scoreless into the 4th
After Johnny Lopez led off the 3rd with a single, the Broncos went down in order.
Still 0-0 into the 4th.
Bartlett escapes jam
Bartlett loads the bases with no out in the 3rd, with the help of shady defense, but escapes brilliantly, striking out Blake Butler before forcing Luis Guance into a 6-4-3 double play.
Defense turns it up
There have been three double plays turned already as we head into the 3rd.
It's been a clean defensive game - so far - after last night's laugher that included a combined eight errors between the two clubs.
The Aces have no hits yet and the Broncos have two.
Down again
The Aces go down in order yet again as Bartlett is off to a fine start.
Scoreless into the bottom of the 2nd.
Into the 2nd
The Broncos follow by going down in order as well despite a leadoff single from Sean Gamble.
Into the 2nd we go.
Down in order for the Aces
The Aces go down in order despite Brett Butler leading off with a walk.
In other news, Edinburg is leading Amarillo 6-2 in the 5th in the first game of a doubleheader.
Harlingen make news on ESPN.com
First the Broncos, now the WhiteWings.
Harlingen made its way onto ESPN.com today - just as the Broncos did two months ago when acquiring pitcher John Odom in exchange for 10 maple wood bats - by offering free tickets for the rest of the season in the wake of Hurricane Dolly.
Here's the story.
The WhiteWings are 18-48, last in United League Baseball. Tickets to their games are normally $6.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Aces, Game 3
Left-hander Sean Donlin (2-4, 4.53 ERA) has a slight injury to his biceps so he will miss his next two starts.
Right-hander Mickey Callaway (3 appearances, 4.2 innings, no hits, no runs) will fill Donlin's spot in the rotation.
Callaway is slated to start on Thursday in Harlingen, and will start Aug. 7 against San Angelo at Veterans.
The Broncos are currently searching for a bullpen guy to fill Callaway's spot in the bullpen.
Now onto tonight, the rubber game between the Broncos and Aces.
Richard Bartlett (2-4, 9.00 ERA) will be on the mound for Laredo. His opponent will be Chad Linder (4-3, 4.12).
Other tidbits: the Aces are 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Broncos are 4-6, but can claim a series win with a victory tonight.
Tonight's lineup:
DH Sean Gamble
2B Ivan Reyes
C Luany Sanchez
CF Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
SS Arnoldo Ponce
1B Johnny Lopez
3B Ben Tinius
RF Anthony Bennett
Notes and bits on an early Tuesday afternoon
Here's my game story of last night's 10-6 loss.
In other ULB news, we find out the Colts are undefeated on Mondays following their 12-11 win over Harlingen last night.
Amarillo and Edinburg will play a doubleheader today to make up for yesterday's lost game due to rain.
The Coyotes have about five games to make up and the Broncos are starting to get concerned about whether or not they will.
With such a brittle lead on Edinburg for the fourth and final playoff spot, Broncos GM Jose Melendez called the league yesterday to see when the Coyotes would be making up the games.
The scare is that they might not, and instead the league would award them five wins. That's not unreasonable seeing as how the league already botched Alexandria's chances of home field advantage even though it finished as one of the top two teams in the first half.
Instead, San Angelo was awarded the second spot due to having greater attendance.
Nice line of reasoning there.
Either way, the Broncos can take care of business by just winning and gaining more and more ground on Edinburg with each passing day.
A win tonight would be HUGE. It would mean a series win as they head into a three-game set against lowly Harlingen starting Wednesday in the Valley so the opportunity for a four-game winning streak - and getting within a game of .500 heading into their three-game home set against San Angelo on Saturday - is right at their doorstep.
In other ULB news, we find out the Colts are undefeated on Mondays following their 12-11 win over Harlingen last night.
Amarillo and Edinburg will play a doubleheader today to make up for yesterday's lost game due to rain.
The Coyotes have about five games to make up and the Broncos are starting to get concerned about whether or not they will.
With such a brittle lead on Edinburg for the fourth and final playoff spot, Broncos GM Jose Melendez called the league yesterday to see when the Coyotes would be making up the games.
The scare is that they might not, and instead the league would award them five wins. That's not unreasonable seeing as how the league already botched Alexandria's chances of home field advantage even though it finished as one of the top two teams in the first half.
Instead, San Angelo was awarded the second spot due to having greater attendance.
Nice line of reasoning there.
Either way, the Broncos can take care of business by just winning and gaining more and more ground on Edinburg with each passing day.
A win tonight would be HUGE. It would mean a series win as they head into a three-game set against lowly Harlingen starting Wednesday in the Valley so the opportunity for a four-game winning streak - and getting within a game of .500 heading into their three-game home set against San Angelo on Saturday - is right at their doorstep.
Glimmer of hope exists in 10-6 debacle
When it was all said and done, the final score was 10-6. But it was a lot worse than that.
But as the Broncos (33-38) look to try and salvage their series against Alexandria tonight at Veterans - a win would mean a series win - they know Monday's game could have easily gone the other way.
Alexandria did not win the game so much as Laredo fumbled around and coughed it up.
The Broncos committed five errors. Those miscues led to six unearned runs.
“There were a lot of errors, a lot of mental errors," Broncos Manager Dan Shwam said following the game. "I don’t know if it was the heat or exhaustion, or if we just felt we would be invincible after last night’s win. I don’t know what it was. We played very poor defensively.”
The real victim appeared to be ace right-hander Santo Hernandez, who was clearly affected by the errors.
Hernandez pitched four innings, the second-shortest outing of his season. He allowed eight runs - three earned - on six hits.
He struck out three and walked four.
Known to be picky about his stats, Hernandez appeared to let the Broncos' mishaps affect him.
His shoulders sunk. His head was down. It was not the sight of a pitcher that leads the league in ERA and strikeouts.
And in turn, his dismay was evident in his teammates' morale.
“Santo didn’t have a good game, he was never able to find his strike zone," Shwam said. "And when you’re playing so poor defensively, bad pitching does not help.
Offensively, the Broncos didn't do a lot better.
They managed just six hits and left 10 on base.
“I knew it’d be tough," Shwam said. "(Aces starter) Alexis Sosa is tough and we haven’t been able to hit him much all year. He threw a great game (seven innings, one earned run, seven strikeouts), and once they got that lead, it’s pretty much over. Alexandria doesn’t give up leads. When they get one, they’re going to stomp on your neck. I think they were embarrassed last night and really wanted this one. They played with a lot of heart and determination.”
And now the big test - how will the Broncos respond?
“Tomorrow’s big,” Shwam said. “It’s a chance to see if we can rebound, if we can play with heart and pride. It’s a pride thing now. Are we going to get stomped in the heads twice or are we going to win the series?”
Monday, July 28, 2008
Three outs from another loss
The Aces get a hit and nothing more in the 9th.
Into the bottom of the inning we go.
Bennett scores
The Broncos get a run when Anthony Bennett scored on a wild pitch in the 8th.
10-3 Aces into the 9th.
Sausville escapes jam
Sausville loads the bases with two outs in the 8th but escapes.
Still 10-2 Aces into the bottom of the inning.
Sausville in
The Broncos get two runners in scoring position with one out in the 7th ... and get nothing out of it.
Into the 8th we go. Dan Sausville is in the game for the Broncos.
Ovalles bombs
Homy Ovalles hit a two-out, solo homer in the seventh to put the Aces ahead 10-2.
Into the bottom of the 7th.
Sosa escapes jam
Sosa escapes a bases-loaded jam with two outs in the 6th.
Still 9-2 Aces into the 7th.
Jones is still on the mound for Laredo.
Aces build on lead
The Aces get one run on two hits courtesy of Bryan Sabatella's sacrifice RBI in the 6th.
9-2 Aces into the bottom of the inning.
Into the 6th
The Broncos are retired in order as they head into the 6th still trailing by six.
Lefty Rusty Jones is in for the Broncos.
Schon stops the bleeding
Schon allows just a walk as it's still 8-2 Aces into the bottom of the 5th.
Broncos score; Hernandez out
Johnny Lopez's RBI single with one out in the 4th cuts the deficit to six.
8-2 Aces into the 5th.
Hernandez is out of the game. He threw four innings, allowing eight runs (three earned) on six hits while walking four and striking out three.
Andy Schon is in for relief. The Broncos likely feel comfortable with him since he threw just 3 1/3 innings in his last start.
Aces expand lead to 8-1
Rafael Ozuna pads the Aces' lead as he scored on a throwing error with one out in the fourth.
Then Guance struck again on a two-run single moments later, Selwyn Langaigne followed with a bloop RBI single to center field, and then Bryan Sabatella drilled a RBI single of his own to boost the Aces to an 8-1 lead.
Hernandez continued his struggles as he lost complete grasp of his control, though his defense has done little to help.
The Broncos have committed four errors, including flat-out silly mistakes which they should know better.
Five of the eight runs have been unearned.
Sanchez gets Broncos on the scoreboard
The Broncos cut their deficit by one on Luany Sanchez's RBI double with one out in the 3rd.
3-1 Aces into the 4th.
Guance puts Aces on top
Luis Guance's three-run bomb with one out in the third puts the Aces ahead 3-0.
It was an abnormal inning for Hernandez, who, after retiring seven straight batters, walked the next two before allowing Guance's shot.
He then followed by striking out the next two batters, his first Ks of the game.
Into the bottom of the 3rd, Aces lead.
Hitting the opposition
Sosa hits his second batter of the game in the 2nd but comes away unscathed.
Both Gamble and Ponce have been plunked today, though it just seems Sosa is wild and it's nothing intentional.
Into the 3rd we go, nada y nada.
Broken gamble
Sean Gamble gets in scoring position - all the way to third with one out - but the Broncos fail to bring him in.
Scoreless into the 2nd.
No go for Aces in the 1st
The leadoff Ace reached base but Hernandez gets out easily, allowing just one hit in the 1st.
Into the bottom of the inning we go as there appears to be about 45 people in the stands.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Aces, Game 2
The Broncos are looking for a nice dose of momentum as they enter tonight's Game 2 of a three-game series against Alexandria having won three of their last four games.
Laredo took Game 1 in emphatic fashion last night, claiming a 13-2 win. It's hoping to take two in a row with ace Santo Hernandez on the mound tonight.
Hernandez is 7-4 with a 2.91 ERA. He leads the league in strikeouts (eight ahead of fellow teammate Gregorio Martinez) and is coming off a complete-game win against San Angelo last week, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings.
His opponent will be Alexis Sosa, who is 7-3 with a 4.94 ERA.
The Broncos will be looking to gain more ground on Edinburg, which sits 1 1/2 games behind them for the fourth and final playoff spot.
The Coyotes' game against Amarillo tonight was rained out. They are scheduled to play a doubleheader tomorrow.
The numbers coming into tonight's game: the Broncos (33-37)are 4-6 in their last 10 games but have won three of their last four.
The Aces had won eight of 10 before dropping last night's game.
Alexandria (41-26) is a half-game ahead of San Angelo for first place in ULB.
Here's the lineup:
DH Sean Gamble
2B Ivan Reyes
C Luany Sanchez
RF Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
SS Arnoldo Ponce
1B Johnny Lopez
3B Ben Tinius
CF Steven Wright
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Into the 9th we go, 13-2 Broncos
Broncos get six runs on six hits in the eighth in what can only be described as a defensive catastrophe.
13-2 Broncos into the 9th.
Wasylak delivers
The Aces go down in order in the 8th as Wasylak collects two strikeouts along the way.
7-2 Broncos into the bottom of the inning.
Martinez out as we go into the 8th
The Broncos go down despite putting two on via the walk in the 7th.
Martinez is out as Dave Wasylak is in for relief.
Martinez pitched seven innings and allowed two runs (none earned) on seven hits. He walked three and struck out 10.
Into the 8th we go, same score.
Martinez possibly hurt as Aces go down again
The Aces go down weakly in the seventh but there was a brief scare following the final out as Martinez collapsed in a heap.
It appeared that a ground ball hit sharply off his leg before he fielded it cleanly for the third out.
Fortunately, he just walked off the field on his own power so it appears it's not anything too bad.
7-2 Broncos into the bottom of the 7th.
Broncos' offense stays strong
The Broncos get those runs back as they lead 7-2 into the 7th.
With one out, Sean Gamble and Ivan Reyes nailed consecutive RBI hits - a double and a single, respectively - as the Broncos tally two runs on three hits in the frame.
The Broncos' offense is looking as healthy as it has all season. It's accounted for 11 hits and seven runs in 6 innings.
Aces get on the board
The Aces get on the scoreboard in the 6th on Bryan Sabatella's RBI double and Selwyn Langaigne scoring on an error by catcher Luany Sanchez.
Both runs were unearned as Martinez added to his strikeout total. He now has eight.
Broncos lead 5-2 into the bottom of the inning.
Clemente bombs
Edgard Clemente's 13th homer of the season - a blast with one out in the 5th - to give the Broncos a 5-0 lead heading into the 6th.
Martinez continues roll
Martinez has retired seven straight as the Aces go down in order for the second straight inning.
4-0 Broncos into the bottom of the 5th.
Broncos go down in order
The Broncos go down in order, and for the first time today do not get a hit in an inning.
4-0 Laredo into the 5th.
Aces go down in order; Wooley gone
Aces go down in order as Broncos lead 4-0 into the bottom of the 4th.
Wooley is out of the game. Righty Angel Guzman is in.
Wooley went three innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits while walking one and striking out three.
Broncos expand lead
The Broncos add two more in the third on Dwayne White's RBI triple and Arnoldo Ponce's sacrifice RBI.
4-0 Broncos into the 4th.
Bennett saves the 3rd
With two on with one out, Anthony Bennett threw a gorgeous liner after a flyout on Blake Butler, who was tagging from 3rd base, for a 9-2 double play.
2-0 Broncos into the bottom of the inning.
Bennett pads Broncos' lead
Anthony Bennett's RBI single pushes Laredo's lead to 2 in the 2nd.
2-0 Broncos into the 3rd.
Martinez calms
It was a smoother inning for Martinez as he collects his first two strikeouts of the game in the 2nd.
1-0 Broncos into the bottom of the inning.
Sanchez gives Broncos early lead
Broncos strike first on Luany Sanchez's RBI single with one out.
The Broncos get three hits in the inning.
1-0 Laredo into the 2nd.
Martinez escapes jam
Martinez miraculously escapes a bases-loaded jam with one out by forcing Rafael Ozuna into a double play heading into the bottom of the 1st.
In his last five outings, Martinez is 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Aces, Game 1
Bronco fans will get their first look at newcomers Sean Gamble and Matt Imwalle.
In three games, Gamble is hitting .333 with one RBI and one walk. In the same amount of time, Imwalle is hitting .364 with a homer and three RBIs.
Righty Gregorio Martinez (4-3, 5.67 ERA) is on the mound for the Broncos. His opponent is Robbie Wooley (2-1, 5.87).
Also, in other relevant news, Amarillo leads Edinburg 3-2 in the top of the 4th. The Broncos are a half-game ahead of the Coyotes for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Here's the lineup for tonight:
DH Sean Gamble
2B Ivan Reyes
C Luany Sanchez
CF Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
SS Arnoldo Ponce
1B Matt Imwalle
3B Ben Tinius
RF Anthony Bennett
News and bits heading into today's action
Callaway's line from last night:
2.2 innings pitched, no hits, no runs, two walks and two strikeouts.
Here are the standings heading into tonight's action:
ALEXANDRIA 41-25
SAN ANGELO 38-25
AMARILLO 39-28
LAREDO 32-37
EDINBURG 29-35
HARLINGEN 18-47
The Coyotes are 1 1/2 games back of Laredo for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Coyotes are 7-3 in their last 10 games as the Broncos are 3-7 over that span.
2.2 innings pitched, no hits, no runs, two walks and two strikeouts.
Here are the standings heading into tonight's action:
ALEXANDRIA 41-25
SAN ANGELO 38-25
AMARILLO 39-28
LAREDO 32-37
EDINBURG 29-35
HARLINGEN 18-47
The Coyotes are 1 1/2 games back of Laredo for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Coyotes are 7-3 in their last 10 games as the Broncos are 3-7 over that span.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Broncos fall in series to Dillas
Consider nothing forgotten.
The Broncos again fell on Saturday night, overcoming a seven-run to deficit to pull within three before Amarillo claimed a 8-5 win to win the best-of-three series, 2-1.
The Broncos (32-37) return to Veterans tonight to start a three-game stand against Alexandria.
Lefty Sean Donlin (2-4) was tagged with the loss, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
He walked four and struck out nine.
The Dillas drilled two more homers, making it six in the last two games. They held an 8-1 lead in the sixth and never looked back, tallying eight runs on eight hits to the Broncos' five runs on 10 hits.
Righty reliever Mickey Callaway pitched solid in relief, surrendering one run in 2 2/3 innings. He had pitched two inning during his previous two appearances, walking three and striking out two.
As soon as I get a box score from tonight's game, I'll update with his line.
The bad news is the road does not get easier. The Broncos host the Aces, the league's No. 1 team, by the way, get a three-game breather in Harlingen, and then ready for a pivotal six-game homestand against San Angelo and Amarillo.
I talked last night of how the Broncos' biggest concern from their 22-11 debacle on Friday was how they'd respond.
And while fighting hard back from a seven-run deficit is always noble, only a win could have truly put Friday behind them.
The bus ride back to Laredo could not have been a pleasant one.
The Broncos again fell on Saturday night, overcoming a seven-run to deficit to pull within three before Amarillo claimed a 8-5 win to win the best-of-three series, 2-1.
The Broncos (32-37) return to Veterans tonight to start a three-game stand against Alexandria.
Lefty Sean Donlin (2-4) was tagged with the loss, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
He walked four and struck out nine.
The Dillas drilled two more homers, making it six in the last two games. They held an 8-1 lead in the sixth and never looked back, tallying eight runs on eight hits to the Broncos' five runs on 10 hits.
Righty reliever Mickey Callaway pitched solid in relief, surrendering one run in 2 2/3 innings. He had pitched two inning during his previous two appearances, walking three and striking out two.
As soon as I get a box score from tonight's game, I'll update with his line.
The bad news is the road does not get easier. The Broncos host the Aces, the league's No. 1 team, by the way, get a three-game breather in Harlingen, and then ready for a pivotal six-game homestand against San Angelo and Amarillo.
I talked last night of how the Broncos' biggest concern from their 22-11 debacle on Friday was how they'd respond.
And while fighting hard back from a seven-run deficit is always noble, only a win could have truly put Friday behind them.
The bus ride back to Laredo could not have been a pleasant one.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Dillas romp Broncos 22-11
This is how it almost always happens, isn't it?
A few inspiring wins and then a complete THUD! A two-game winning streak followed by a horrific display of pitching that completely takes things 100 steps backward.
The Broncos lost to Amarillo on Friday, 22-11. Read it again. 22. To. 11.
Laredo surrendered 27 hits. Neither team committed an error (a marvel within itself).
The Dillas nailed four homers, including two courtesy of Danny Bravo.
And to think...after the first inning, the Broncos led 3-0. Little did they know.
Here's the full detailed game report from the Broncos' website. Read at risk.
I have to assume this was just an aberration, considering the consistent success the Broncos have seen lately on the mound.
Andy Schon, who'd gone 5-0 in his previous six starts, pitched terribly, surrendering 10 runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings.
He walked two and struck out none.
Edinburg did not play tonight so it did not gain ground as the Broncos fell to 32-36.
The good news? The offense finally broke out, which we expected sooner or later. It accounted for 11 runs on 22 hits.
But it only figures that once the offense got rollin', the pitching stopped.
What's more impressive is that the Broncos did so without a single home run. So maybe there's a good amount of pleasantries to be found in this walloping after all.
They didn't lose to a scrub team. And the fact that Schon is normally reliable leads me to believe that this is the one bad start he was due.
Hey, one bad start out of six great ones is not bad at all. And his record is still a glossy 7-3.
The most important thing for the Broncos? They have to move on. And by what coaches and players have told me the past few weeks, that's easier said than done with this ballclub.
They have to completely rid themselves of Friday night's monstrosity. Forget it. Move on. Saturday is a new day, a chance to win the best-of-three series and come back to Laredo with momentum entering a three-game home set against Alexandria (another league beast).
They have to let it go and act like Friday never happened.
It'll be interesting to see if they do just that.
A few inspiring wins and then a complete THUD! A two-game winning streak followed by a horrific display of pitching that completely takes things 100 steps backward.
The Broncos lost to Amarillo on Friday, 22-11. Read it again. 22. To. 11.
Laredo surrendered 27 hits. Neither team committed an error (a marvel within itself).
The Dillas nailed four homers, including two courtesy of Danny Bravo.
And to think...after the first inning, the Broncos led 3-0. Little did they know.
Here's the full detailed game report from the Broncos' website. Read at risk.
I have to assume this was just an aberration, considering the consistent success the Broncos have seen lately on the mound.
Andy Schon, who'd gone 5-0 in his previous six starts, pitched terribly, surrendering 10 runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings.
He walked two and struck out none.
Edinburg did not play tonight so it did not gain ground as the Broncos fell to 32-36.
The good news? The offense finally broke out, which we expected sooner or later. It accounted for 11 runs on 22 hits.
But it only figures that once the offense got rollin', the pitching stopped.
What's more impressive is that the Broncos did so without a single home run. So maybe there's a good amount of pleasantries to be found in this walloping after all.
They didn't lose to a scrub team. And the fact that Schon is normally reliable leads me to believe that this is the one bad start he was due.
Hey, one bad start out of six great ones is not bad at all. And his record is still a glossy 7-3.
The most important thing for the Broncos? They have to move on. And by what coaches and players have told me the past few weeks, that's easier said than done with this ballclub.
They have to completely rid themselves of Friday night's monstrosity. Forget it. Move on. Saturday is a new day, a chance to win the best-of-three series and come back to Laredo with momentum entering a three-game home set against Alexandria (another league beast).
They have to let it go and act like Friday never happened.
It'll be interesting to see if they do just that.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Broncos hurt Dillas via the long ball
The Broncos can now claim a two-game winning streak after defeating Amarillo 6-3 on Thursday.
I'm not quite sure if this is good, but the Broncos went back to playing long ball against the Dillas as four of the runs came courtesy of homers.
Ben Tinius hit a two-run shot, and Luany Sanchez and newcomer Matt Imwalle also hit bombs.
It was Sanchez's 18th of the season as he still leads United League Baseball in that department.
It's good to see Imwalle having a quick impact. He had an outstanding debut, also tallying a RBI double and sacrifice RBI.
Manager Dan Shwam had been longing for RBI guys. Imwalle with three RBIs in his debut? Not bad at all.
Richard Bartlett got back on the winning side of things, and David Watkins earned his first save of the season.
The Broncos scored six runs on seven hits - hooray for efficiency!! - as the Dillas scored three runs on nine hits.
The two clubs will continue their three-game series today with Game 2 slated for a 7:05 start time.
The Broncos are now (32-35) and move up on Edinburg (29-35), which was idle Thursday and will be again tonight.
In other ULB action tonight, the Colts surprisingly fell to Harlingen
I'm not quite sure if this is good, but the Broncos went back to playing long ball against the Dillas as four of the runs came courtesy of homers.
Ben Tinius hit a two-run shot, and Luany Sanchez and newcomer Matt Imwalle also hit bombs.
It was Sanchez's 18th of the season as he still leads United League Baseball in that department.
It's good to see Imwalle having a quick impact. He had an outstanding debut, also tallying a RBI double and sacrifice RBI.
Manager Dan Shwam had been longing for RBI guys. Imwalle with three RBIs in his debut? Not bad at all.
Richard Bartlett got back on the winning side of things, and David Watkins earned his first save of the season.
The Broncos scored six runs on seven hits - hooray for efficiency!! - as the Dillas scored three runs on nine hits.
The two clubs will continue their three-game series today with Game 2 slated for a 7:05 start time.
The Broncos are now (32-35) and move up on Edinburg (29-35), which was idle Thursday and will be again tonight.
In other ULB action tonight, the Colts surprisingly fell to Harlingen
Dolly affects Harlingen's schedule
Hurricane Dolly is taking her effect all over United League Baseball.
The Colts will host the Harlingen WhiteWings for six straight games from July 24-29, instead of the originally scheduled three-game set that was supposed to take place July 24-26.
The WhiteWings were scheduled to return to Harlingen following Saturday's game to begin a nine-game homestand but Dolly has made the conditions unplayable in the Rio Grande Valley.
Here's the full story from Colts broadcasting guru Frank Mentesana.
The Colts will host the Harlingen WhiteWings for six straight games from July 24-29, instead of the originally scheduled three-game set that was supposed to take place July 24-26.
The WhiteWings were scheduled to return to Harlingen following Saturday's game to begin a nine-game homestand but Dolly has made the conditions unplayable in the Rio Grande Valley.
Here's the full story from Colts broadcasting guru Frank Mentesana.
Broncos look for offense to awaken
By DENNIS SILVA II
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Broncos slugger Edgard Clemente sees things a bit differently than his team’s management.
Manager Dan Shwam notes RBI situational hitting as his main concern. General Manager Jose Melendez cites wins in one-run games.
And despite a record in which they are four games under .500 at 31-35 and 3-7 in their last 10 games, the Broncos’ main issue is comfort, or lack thereof, according to Clemente.
“We need to stay comfortable,” he said. “This is a fun game and guys haven’t been comfortable. Even if you lose, you can’t stay down for long. Every day is a new chance to prove yourself.
“I think we’ve got the best team in the league. We haven’t put together our full talent so I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
The Broncos are coming off a seven-game homestand in which they lost five of the contests.
They traveled to Amarillo at midnight on Wednesday for a three-game series against a Dillas team that has given them fits this season.
Amarillo has won eight of 12 games against Laredo this year.
“Once our offense breaks out, we’ll be okay,” Melendez said. “But we have to win those 1-0, 2-1 games in the meantime, and I’m hoping the bats come alive this weekend.
“It’s unfortunate we have everyone going cold at the same time.”
BRONCOS EXPERIENCE POWER OUTAGE
The Broncos still lead United League Baseball in home runs, and were second in the league in offense as late as two weeks ago.
However, things have drastically changed.
Over the last 10 games, they’re hitting .257 and averaging four runs.
For the season, they’re hitting .278 with runners in scoring in position and .260 with runners in scoring position with two outs.
“We leave guys on base all the time,” Shwam said. “We’ve got to find RBI guys, guys who have a purpose of bringing guys in. It’s the thing that’s killed us all year long, getting the clutch hits in one-run or two-run games.
“I’ll keep juggling lineups until I find something that works. I think we’re too right-handed and I think we’re too slow. If we can correct those problems, we’ll be okay. It’s tough at this time of year.”
Clemente’s perspective on the offense comes back to comfort.
“We’ve been trying to do too much with guys on bases,” he said. “With us losing so much lately, guys are trying too hard to get that run in. We’re swinging at bad pitches and it starts adding up.”
Just as pitching was the Achilles’ heel in the first half of the season, hitting has assumed that role in the second half.
While Bronco hitters are struggling, the pitchers are finding consistent success, having surrendered 37 earned runs over the last 10 games.
“I absolutely love the pitching,” Shwam said. “The starting pitching has been very good. We just can’t score enough runs, or we go to the bullpen and they mess up a good thing.
“Our starting pitching has given us a chance.”
CHANGES ON HAND
“We’re at the point where something has to give,” Shwam said. “I’ve talked to every player on this team for a significant amount of time, trying to figure out their perspective on things.
“It’s not about me and what I think. There has to come a time when they, as a group, determine, ‘Enough is enough.’ I’m not sure they’re there yet.”
With that in mind, the Broncos were at work remaking their roster on Wednesday afternoon
They signed infielder Matt Imwalle and outfielder Sean Gamble, traded infielder Matt Lawman to Harlingen to complete the earlier trade that brought them Luany Sanchez, and inactivated relief pitcher Rhett Barber.
Imwalle, a switch-hitter, and Gamble provide the left-handed bats that the Broncos have lacked.
“We’re making a strong go at this,” Melendez said. “Matt brings power and can hit well. Sean brings an element of speed that we’ve lacked, and he’s pretty much a carbon copy of (outfielder) Dwayne White.
“If these moves don’t work, we’ll scrap and go back to the drawing board. Something’s got to work sooner or later.”
And while the pressure of fifth-place Edinburg creeping within one game of Laredo for the fourth and final playoff spot may have an effect, Clemente refuses to buy into it.
“I don’t really care,” he said. “It doesn’t affect me, and I don’t think the guys are worrying about it. We know what we can do. It’s better we go through a slump now than the last 10 games or so of the season. I think our confidence is getting better and that’s what we need.
“We shouldn’t be thinking about Edinburg all the time. Every single game is important for us. So, no matter what Edinburg is doing, we’ve got to worry about ourselves and quit worrying about other people.”
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Broncos slugger Edgard Clemente sees things a bit differently than his team’s management.
Manager Dan Shwam notes RBI situational hitting as his main concern. General Manager Jose Melendez cites wins in one-run games.
And despite a record in which they are four games under .500 at 31-35 and 3-7 in their last 10 games, the Broncos’ main issue is comfort, or lack thereof, according to Clemente.
“We need to stay comfortable,” he said. “This is a fun game and guys haven’t been comfortable. Even if you lose, you can’t stay down for long. Every day is a new chance to prove yourself.
“I think we’ve got the best team in the league. We haven’t put together our full talent so I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
The Broncos are coming off a seven-game homestand in which they lost five of the contests.
They traveled to Amarillo at midnight on Wednesday for a three-game series against a Dillas team that has given them fits this season.
Amarillo has won eight of 12 games against Laredo this year.
“Once our offense breaks out, we’ll be okay,” Melendez said. “But we have to win those 1-0, 2-1 games in the meantime, and I’m hoping the bats come alive this weekend.
“It’s unfortunate we have everyone going cold at the same time.”
BRONCOS EXPERIENCE POWER OUTAGE
The Broncos still lead United League Baseball in home runs, and were second in the league in offense as late as two weeks ago.
However, things have drastically changed.
Over the last 10 games, they’re hitting .257 and averaging four runs.
For the season, they’re hitting .278 with runners in scoring in position and .260 with runners in scoring position with two outs.
“We leave guys on base all the time,” Shwam said. “We’ve got to find RBI guys, guys who have a purpose of bringing guys in. It’s the thing that’s killed us all year long, getting the clutch hits in one-run or two-run games.
“I’ll keep juggling lineups until I find something that works. I think we’re too right-handed and I think we’re too slow. If we can correct those problems, we’ll be okay. It’s tough at this time of year.”
Clemente’s perspective on the offense comes back to comfort.
“We’ve been trying to do too much with guys on bases,” he said. “With us losing so much lately, guys are trying too hard to get that run in. We’re swinging at bad pitches and it starts adding up.”
Just as pitching was the Achilles’ heel in the first half of the season, hitting has assumed that role in the second half.
While Bronco hitters are struggling, the pitchers are finding consistent success, having surrendered 37 earned runs over the last 10 games.
“I absolutely love the pitching,” Shwam said. “The starting pitching has been very good. We just can’t score enough runs, or we go to the bullpen and they mess up a good thing.
“Our starting pitching has given us a chance.”
CHANGES ON HAND
“We’re at the point where something has to give,” Shwam said. “I’ve talked to every player on this team for a significant amount of time, trying to figure out their perspective on things.
“It’s not about me and what I think. There has to come a time when they, as a group, determine, ‘Enough is enough.’ I’m not sure they’re there yet.”
With that in mind, the Broncos were at work remaking their roster on Wednesday afternoon
They signed infielder Matt Imwalle and outfielder Sean Gamble, traded infielder Matt Lawman to Harlingen to complete the earlier trade that brought them Luany Sanchez, and inactivated relief pitcher Rhett Barber.
Imwalle, a switch-hitter, and Gamble provide the left-handed bats that the Broncos have lacked.
“We’re making a strong go at this,” Melendez said. “Matt brings power and can hit well. Sean brings an element of speed that we’ve lacked, and he’s pretty much a carbon copy of (outfielder) Dwayne White.
“If these moves don’t work, we’ll scrap and go back to the drawing board. Something’s got to work sooner or later.”
And while the pressure of fifth-place Edinburg creeping within one game of Laredo for the fourth and final playoff spot may have an effect, Clemente refuses to buy into it.
“I don’t really care,” he said. “It doesn’t affect me, and I don’t think the guys are worrying about it. We know what we can do. It’s better we go through a slump now than the last 10 games or so of the season. I think our confidence is getting better and that’s what we need.
“We shouldn’t be thinking about Edinburg all the time. Every single game is important for us. So, no matter what Edinburg is doing, we’ve got to worry about ourselves and quit worrying about other people.”
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Broncos make moves; Colts' Lively bought out by Giants
Here's the game story from last night's doubleheader.
The Broncos had today off. They'll leave for Amarillo at midnight to face a Dillas club that has defeated them 8 out of 12 games.
Late this afternoon, the Broncos made a few transactions that they expect to have an immediate impact.
They signed infielder Matt Imwalle and outfielder Sean Gamble, son of former Major Leaguer Oscar Gamble.
Sean was drafted by the Phillies in the sixth round of the 2004 Amateur draft.
Imwalle is a switch-hitter. Gamble is a lefty. Manager Dan Shwam had explicitly said on Tuesday that he desired more left-handed bats.
Well, now they've got 'em.
Also, to make room for the newbies, the Broncos traded infielder Matt Lawman to Harlingen to complete the earlier trade which brought them Luany Sanchez (pretty one-sided deal if you ask me).
They also inactivated relief pitcher Rhett Barber.
In other news around ULB, the Colts' Mitch Lively's contract was bought by the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Here's the release from the Colts' website.
Lively is no joke, and was lights-out against the Broncos when he faced them this weekend. I remember Colts broadcaster Frank Mentesana telling me that manager Doc Edwards was keeping a close eye on Lively since he knew he would eventually be bought out.
If anyone expected it to be this soon, I'm not sure.
The Broncos had today off. They'll leave for Amarillo at midnight to face a Dillas club that has defeated them 8 out of 12 games.
Late this afternoon, the Broncos made a few transactions that they expect to have an immediate impact.
They signed infielder Matt Imwalle and outfielder Sean Gamble, son of former Major Leaguer Oscar Gamble.
Sean was drafted by the Phillies in the sixth round of the 2004 Amateur draft.
Imwalle is a switch-hitter. Gamble is a lefty. Manager Dan Shwam had explicitly said on Tuesday that he desired more left-handed bats.
Well, now they've got 'em.
Also, to make room for the newbies, the Broncos traded infielder Matt Lawman to Harlingen to complete the earlier trade which brought them Luany Sanchez (pretty one-sided deal if you ask me).
They also inactivated relief pitcher Rhett Barber.
In other news around ULB, the Colts' Mitch Lively's contract was bought by the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Here's the release from the Colts' website.
Lively is no joke, and was lights-out against the Broncos when he faced them this weekend. I remember Colts broadcaster Frank Mentesana telling me that manager Doc Edwards was keeping a close eye on Lively since he knew he would eventually be bought out.
If anyone expected it to be this soon, I'm not sure.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Broncos win
Broncos get the win, 3-1.
Hernandez gets the complete-game win, striking out seven and allowing three hits
Broncos three outs away from a W
The Broncos are three outs away from securing their second win on this seven-game homestand after they went down in order in the 6th.
Hernandez is back out on the mound to try and get a complete game under his belt.
Hernandez continues roll
Hernandez gets out of the 6th unscathed.
3-1 Broncos into the bottom of the inning.
Reyes puts Broncos ahead
The Broncos put two runners in scoring position with one out in the 5th, and Ivan Reyes capitalizes with a two-run single through the middle of the right infield to put the Broncos ahead 3-1 into the 6th.
Hernandez goin' strong
Colts go down in order as Hernandez is pitching a gem of a game.
Meanwhile, Edinburg is now tied with Alexandria in the top of the 7th.
Colts' defense coming through
The Broncos get a leadoff single from Dwayne White but a couple of defensive gems allow them to go down in order.
Still tied into the 5th.
Hernandez rollin'
Into the bottom of the 4th we go as Hernandez has retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced.
Broncos tie the game
Matt Lawman's RBI single with two outs in the 2nd ties the game.
Broncos Manager Dan Shwam was just ejected form the game for arguing balls and strikes.
1-1 into the 3rd.
SAC RBI puts Colts ahead
Bryan Frichter's sacrifice RBI to center field with no outs in the 2nd puts the Colts ahead early.
1-0 Colts into the bottom of the inning
Reyes gets first hit of the game
The Broncos get a one-out double from Ivan Reyes and nothing more.
Scoreless into the 2nd.
Colts get on base via error
The Colts reach base via an error by Arnoldo Ponce in the 1st.
Other than that, they don't even get close to Hernandez.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Colts, Game 3
Frustrating. Depressing. Excruciating.
And there's still one more game to play.
The Broncos and Colts are on the field for the start of the nightcap of the doubleheader.
Ace Santo Hernandez (6-4, 3.05 ERA) is on the mound for Laredo. He leads the league in strikeouts and ERA by considerable margins.
His opponent will be Brian Henschel (7-2, 4.52).
The Colts have already secured their fifth series win in six tries against Laredo this season.
In relevant news, Alexandria leads Edinburg 8-4 in the 4th inning.
Broncos fall in Game 1
Broncos fall, 5-2.
Josue Gonzalez added a RBI single with no outs in the ninth.
Martinez out, Callaway in
Martinez was relieved in the 7th for Mickey Callaway.
Martinez is in line for the loss. He threw six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits.
He struck out six and walked three.
Callaway came in and promptly walked a batter before forcing a double-play and striking out Jason Landreth.
Still 5-1 Colts into the bottom of the 7th.
Back to business
The blog has been down for awhile now, which is why updates had been lacking.
OK, back up to speed....
The Colts lead 5-1 into the 7th.
Bryan Frichter led off the 6th with a solo blast. Edgard Clemente got the Broncos on the board with a RBI double with one out in the bottom of the inning.
Broncos get first hit of the game
The Broncos get their first hit of the game on Luany Sanchez's single with one out in the fourth.
The offense, to be blunt, has been lazy and sloppy, which I suppose goes hand-in-hand. The Broncos have had just three baserunners all game.
4-0 Colts into the 5th.
Colts move on up
The Colts get on the scoreboard in the 3rd when John Anderson scored on an errant throw from Broncos catcher Josue Gonzalez, and Andres Rodriguez followed with a RBI single.
Rookie Aaron Cone then stole the inning with a deep, two-run shot to right center field to put the Colts ahead 4-0.
Broncos down in order
Broncos go down in order.
It appears it's Pendergrass' shoulder that is ailing him.
Into the 3rd we go, scoreless tie.
Pendergrass injured
Colts center fielder Tyrone Pendergrass is removed from the game after injuring his wrist on a fantastic diving catch in the 2nd inning.
He went 0-for-1 with a groundout.
Joe Rhomberg is in for him.
Martinez escapes jam
Martinez escapes a bases loaded, two-out jam in the 2nd by striking out Charley Belew.
Still scoreless into the bottom of the inning.
Bennett walks
Anthony Bennett gets a leadoff walk but the Broncos manage nothing else.
0-0 into the 2nd.
Ground 'em out
Martinez gets the Colts go down and retires the side on three groundouts in the 1st.
There's about 25 people here. And that may be a bit generous.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Colts, Game 2
It's a blistering hot day here at Veterans.
First pitch is less than 30 minutes away and we already have a drastic change.
Righty Mickey Callaway, former TAMIU baseball coach and five-year major league veteran, was scratched as a starter.
According to Broncos GM Jose Melendez, ace Santo Hernandez went up to Manager Dan Shwam following last night's 6-4 loss and "demanded" to get the ball.
Melendez said that Shwam reported that Hernandez said he was "sick of the losing" and, as a result, Callaway was scratched from his slated Game 2 start and Hernandez was given the role.
Melendez was impressed by Hernandez's actions.
"I liked it," he said. "It shows initiative and that's the type of leadership this team has lacked. He's tired of losing and he wants to do something about it."
I agree with Melendez. It does show great pride, particularly from Hernandez, who clearly has the prestige to be a team leader, but that conflicts with his quiet and introverted nature.
As for Callaway, I never believed he was ready. He's pitched one inning since his return from Tommy John surgery, striking out one and walking two in that frame.
I'm told he will be a reliever and is ready to throw 3 innings. But if he was to start, that wouldn't cut it.
Gregorio Martinez (4-2, 5.50 ERA) will start the first game. He's surrendered 15 earned runs in his last four starts, going 0-2 with two no-decisions.
His opponent will be Billy McKinney (2-4, 7.16).
Broncos' lineup for Game 1 is as follows:
LF Anthony Bennett
SS Arnoldo Ponce
1B Luany Sanchez
RF Edgard Clemente
DH Dwayne White
2B Ivan Reyes
3B Ben Tinius
CF Steven Wright
C Josue Gonzalez
Broncos fall in lights-out game, 6-4
By DENNIS SILVA II
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
The lights went out in the middle of Monday’s contest between Laredo and San Angelo, but the Colts provided just enough electricity of their own as they took a 6-4 win before a crowd of 510 at Veterans Field.
The game was delayed 26 minutes after the lights on the field went out in the middle of the fifth inning.
The two clubs will resume their three-game series today at Veterans with a doubleheader of two seven-inning games starting at 6:05 p.m. All seats are $2.
Wednesday’s contest was rescheduled to fit into today due to the threat of Tropical Storm Dolly.
Former TAMIU baseball coach and five-year major league veteran Mickey Callaway is slated to start one of today’s contests.
The Broncos fell to 30-34 but maintained their one-game lead on the fourth and final playoff spot after Edinburg fell to Alexandria earlier in the day.
Broncos left-hander Sean Donlin (2-3) was tagged with the loss after throwing six innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits.
He struck out seven and walked four.
Colts left-hander Logan Williamson (8-3) earned the win.
He threw six innings, allowing no runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking two.
Jose Torres’ two-out RBI triple in the third started things off for the Colts, who added to their one-run lead in the fifth when Charley Belew scored on a passed ball, and Tyrone Pendergrass scored on a wild pitch moments later.
After the lengthy delay, the Broncos went down weakly before the Colts’ Aaron Cone led off the sixth with a home run to boost San Angelo’s lead to 4-0.
Torres made it a five-run lead when he scored off Luany Sanchez’s throwing error in the seventh.
But the Broncos wouldn’t go down easily.
Edgard Clemente’s RBI bloop single with two outs in the seventh gave the Broncos their first run of the game before Torres struck again, this time on a deep sacrifice RBI to center field with one out in the eighth.
Ivan Reyes’ home run to deep left field with one out in the eighth gave the Broncos their first extra-base hit of the night, and Laredo cut into its deficit some more on Anthony Bennett’s RBI single moments later.
Clemente’s leadoff home run to left center field in the ninth pulled the Broncos within two before Colts closer Mitch Lively struck out three straight Broncos to earn his second save of the season.
The Broncos compiled four runs on 13 hits to the Colts’ six runs on eight hits.
BRONCO BITS: Luany Sanchez snapped his 0-for-17 slump with a sharp single with one out in the first … According to Veterans Field groundsmen, the power outage on the field was due to an issue with the transformer.
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
The lights went out in the middle of Monday’s contest between Laredo and San Angelo, but the Colts provided just enough electricity of their own as they took a 6-4 win before a crowd of 510 at Veterans Field.
The game was delayed 26 minutes after the lights on the field went out in the middle of the fifth inning.
The two clubs will resume their three-game series today at Veterans with a doubleheader of two seven-inning games starting at 6:05 p.m. All seats are $2.
Wednesday’s contest was rescheduled to fit into today due to the threat of Tropical Storm Dolly.
Former TAMIU baseball coach and five-year major league veteran Mickey Callaway is slated to start one of today’s contests.
The Broncos fell to 30-34 but maintained their one-game lead on the fourth and final playoff spot after Edinburg fell to Alexandria earlier in the day.
Broncos left-hander Sean Donlin (2-3) was tagged with the loss after throwing six innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits.
He struck out seven and walked four.
Colts left-hander Logan Williamson (8-3) earned the win.
He threw six innings, allowing no runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking two.
Jose Torres’ two-out RBI triple in the third started things off for the Colts, who added to their one-run lead in the fifth when Charley Belew scored on a passed ball, and Tyrone Pendergrass scored on a wild pitch moments later.
After the lengthy delay, the Broncos went down weakly before the Colts’ Aaron Cone led off the sixth with a home run to boost San Angelo’s lead to 4-0.
Torres made it a five-run lead when he scored off Luany Sanchez’s throwing error in the seventh.
But the Broncos wouldn’t go down easily.
Edgard Clemente’s RBI bloop single with two outs in the seventh gave the Broncos their first run of the game before Torres struck again, this time on a deep sacrifice RBI to center field with one out in the eighth.
Ivan Reyes’ home run to deep left field with one out in the eighth gave the Broncos their first extra-base hit of the night, and Laredo cut into its deficit some more on Anthony Bennett’s RBI single moments later.
Clemente’s leadoff home run to left center field in the ninth pulled the Broncos within two before Colts closer Mitch Lively struck out three straight Broncos to earn his second save of the season.
The Broncos compiled four runs on 13 hits to the Colts’ six runs on eight hits.
BRONCO BITS: Luany Sanchez snapped his 0-for-17 slump with a sharp single with one out in the first … According to Veterans Field groundsmen, the power outage on the field was due to an issue with the transformer.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Just short
Clemente drills a home run to lead off the 9th but the Broncos fall, 6-4.
Edinburg fell, 10-2, to Alexandria earlier tonight so the Broncos maintain their one-game lead on the fourth and final playoff spot.
Broncos raising eyebrows, cut deficit to 6-3
The Broncos cut into their deficit just enough to make things interesting, trailing 6-3 into the 9th.
Ivan Reyes hit a solo blast to left field with one out before Anthony Bennett drilled a RBI single to score Ben Tinius.
It was Laredo's most productive inning of the game. It compiled two runs on three hits and walked three times.
Torres adds to lead
The Colts scored for the fourth straight inning as Torres' sacrifice RBI with one out in the eighth adds another run.
6-1 Colts into the bottom of the inning.
Broncos get on the board
Edgard Clemente's RBI single with two out in the seventh gives the Broncos their first run of the game.
5-1 Colts into the 8th.
The Broncos have stranded 10 through seven innings.
7th heaven for Torres
It was the inning of Jose Torres' lifetime as he walked, stole two bases and then scored off Luany Sanchez's throwing error in the 7th to give the Colts a 5-0 lead.
Lefty Logan Williamson is out of the game for the Colts. He's in line for the win after throwing six innings, allowing no runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking two.
Stranded...again
The Broncos again leave two runners on base to end an inning.
Donlin is out as Rhett Barber is in.
Donlin is in line for the loss after throwing six innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits.
He struck out seven and walked four.
4-0 Colts into the 7th.
Into the 6th
The Broncos get one hit in the 5th on Arnoldo Ponce's single.
Into the 6th we go, 3-0 Colts.
Play ball!
The lights are coming back on.
Colts players are out on the field.
Williamson is warming up on the mound and it appears he'll stay on the mound for the Colts despite the 25 minute delay.
Back up to speed:
Broncos are up with no outs in the bottom of the 5th.
3-0 Colts lead.
Lights Out!
The lights on the field and in the stadium are out. However, the lights and power are working in the press box.
But I'm literally staring at complete darkness.
The game has obviously been postponed.
It stands as 3-0 Colts in the bottom of the 5th inning.
Colts boost lead to 3-0
After Donlin loaded the bases with one out, Charley Belew scored on a passed ball.
Moments later, Tyrone Pendergrass scored on a wild pitch. Other than that, Donlin, fortunately enough, left without further damage.
3-0 Colts into the bottom of the fifth.
Broncos go down in order
Broncos go down in order in the 4th.
They probably figure since they're not bringing anybody in, why put 'em on?
1-0 Colts into the 5th...
Still 1-0
Donlin surrenders a walk and nothing more in the 4th.
1-0 Colts into the bottom of the inning.
Stranded
The Broncos, again, put two on with one out but get nothing out of it.
They've stranded five through 3 innings.
The only good news is that Luany Sanchez has snapped out of his 0-for-17 slump. He's 2-for-2 so far tonight, both singles.
Torres gives Colts the lead
Jose Torres' stand-up RBI triple with two outs in the 3rd gives San Angelo a 1-0 lead.
Into the bottom of the 3rd.
Into the 3rd
The Broncos get two on with one out before Williamson strikes out Johnny Lopez and Steven Wright to end the 2nd inning.
The Broncos have already stranded four this game.
Donlin strikes out the side
Donlin strikes out the side in the 2nd, allowing just a walk.
He has struck out four in the game.
0-0 into the bottom of the 2nd.
Sanchez breaks 0-for
The Broncos get two on with one out before grounding out into a double play.
Luany Sanchez breaks his 0-for-the post All-Star break streak by drilling a single into the shallow outfield.
Still scoreless into the 2nd.
Donlin gets out unharmed; doubleheader scheduled
Donlin surrenders a single and gets out of the first unharmed.
In more important news, however, the Broncos and Colts will play a doubleheader tomorrow at 6 p.m. due to the threat of Tropical Storm Dolly.
Wednesday's game is canceled. Laredo is projected for 90 percent rainfall on Wednesday.
Also, Mickey Callaway, a five-year veteran of the major leagues and 2002 World Series champ with the Anaheim Angels, will make a start in one of the games tomorrow.
Callaway was formerly head baseball coach at TAMIU, and more recently pitching coach for the Broncos.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Colts, Game 1
The Broncos come into tonight's contest against San Angelo with a modest - very modest - one-game winning streak.
The Colts have lost two straight coming into tonight's game.
The Broncos are still one game ahead of Edinburg for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Alexandria, which had won seven straight before falling to Laredo last night, is hosting the Coyotes.
Should be interesting.
I was able to talk with Manager Dan Shwam and outfielder Dwayne White the past few days.
Here's what they've had to say:
Shwam on the team's altered offensive approach last night: "We did better things. I saw some good bunts, we moved guys over and guys were sacrificing, and I saw guys try and hit the other way. We were doing the right things. When we play small ball, we're a much better team."
Shwam on Edgard Clemente: "We go as far as he takes us. That's how good he is. When he hits, we're going to win. We count on him, and I know he doesn't like to hear that because it puts a lot of pressure on him. But he knows that. He is our guy and he makes this team work."
White on the team's offensive woes prior to last night's 10-hit, seven-run outing: "We're at a point where runs are becoming a bit scarce but we'll be alright. We know what we're capable of and I've seen us put up 10, 11 runs with ease so I know it's there. It's a long season and these things happen."
White on pressure from Edinburg: "It doesn't really get to me because I've been in so many close situations. The only thing you can do is take care of what you control. If we take care of our business, it doesn't matter what Edinburg does."
And that's that.
Here's tonight's Broncos lineup:
RF Anthony Bennett
SS Arnoldo Ponce
C Luany Sanchez
DH Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
3B Ben Tinius
2B Ivan Reyes
1B Johnny Lopez
CF Steven Wright
Lefty Sean Donlin (2-2, 3.22 ERA, 34 Ks/15 BB in 7 games) is on the mound for the Broncos. His opponent is fellow lefty Logan Williamson (7-3, 4.09).
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Broncos snap four-game losing streak
Broncos win, 7-0.
Schon collects his second complete-game shutout of the season.
Twice is nice
Still 7-0 Broncos into the ninth.
Schon is back on the mound to try and nail his second complete-game shutout of the season.
Strollin' Schon
Aces go down in order in the 8th as Schon collects his ninth strikeout in the process.
7-0 Broncos into the bottom of the inning.
Broncos explode in the 7th
Clemente drills a two-run bomb to highlight a five-run, four-hit 7th for Laredo as the Broncos take a 7-0 lead.
Aces starter Alexis Sosa was chased from the game with two outs. He's in line for the loss. He threw 6 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on nine hits while walking three and striking out three.
Broncos still lead
Schon gets out of the 7th unharmed as the Broncos still lead 2-0.
Edinburg defeated Harlingen, 4-2, tonight so a Broncos win is needed if they are to stay in the lead for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Broncos take 2-0 lead
Edgard Clemente and Dwayne White drill consecutive RBI singles with one out in the 6th to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead.
Into the 7th we go, and Schon is back out for the Broncos.
Sturdy Schon
Schon is doing everything in his power to keep the Aces at bay.
Alexandria went down in order once again in the 6th.
Lost on base
For the second time today, the Broncos strand two runners in an inning.
Shwam obviously knew what he was talking about with the whole "poor situational hitting" thing. It's getting pretty bad.
No score into the 6th.
6 Ks for Schon
Schon moves his strikeout total to 6 as he pitches another gem of an inning in the 5th, allowing just a single.
Schon surrenders first hit
Schon surrenders his first hit of the game, but picks up his fourth strikeout as well.
0-0 into the bottom of the 4th.
Same story
One of these days the Broncos will learn that runs aren't attributed by how many innings they go down in order.
One of these days.
Still scoreless into the 4th.
Schon continues strong start
The Aces go down in order once again, aided by a nifty 6-4-3 double play.
Same score, bottom of the 3rd.
Tinius gets the first hit of the game
Ben Tinius gets the first hit of the game, but the Broncos can't capitalize after putting two on with one out in the 2nd.
Still scoreless into the 3rd.
Still scoreless
Schon allows his first baserunner of the game via a walk but retires the other three batters he faces in the 2nd.
0-0 into the bottom of the inning.
Down in order
Schon gets the Aces to go down in order in the 1st.
There are 36 people in the stands.
Hmmm.
Wheelin' and dealin', and lineups
The Broncos made one transaction prior to tonight's game: Eric Padilla was traded to Florence of the Frontier League. Florence requested Padilla after they traded pitcher David Watkins to Laredo earlier this season for a player to be named later.
With that said, here's tonight's Broncos lineup:
RF Anthony Bennett
SS Arnoldo Ponce
1B Luany Sanchez
DH Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
3B Ben Tinius
2B Ivan Reyes
C Josue Gonzalez
CF Steven Wright
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Aces, Game 4
It's the final game of a four-game series between Alexandria (38-23) and Laredo (29-33).
The Aces are looking for the sweep and will send ace Alexis Sosa (7-2, 4.78 ERA) to the mound.
Right-hander Andy Schon (6-2, 3.95) will be on the mound for the Broncos.
I was able to talk to Broncos Manager Dan Shwam last night. He specifically emphasized two blaring concerns: poor situational hitting and too many walks.
"Our situational hitting is poor," he said. "There's a lot of times we have people in position to score and we do nothing to advance the runner or bring a guy in. Either we're pressing too much or not thinking enough, but when teams take away our home runs, we have to find some other way to manufacture runs.
"The walks have hurt us because meaningless base hits are becoming runs. We start innings off by walking people and it gets us in a jam. Balls with bad hops that get by us are allowing people to score."
The numbers support Shwam's claims.
The Broncos are hitting .281 with runners in scoring position, and .268 with runners in scoring position with two outs.
Broncos' opponents are hitting .297 and .309, respectively.
Edinburg closes within a game as Broncos fall, 5-3
By DENNIS SILVA II
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
The offense struggled and the pitching was good, but not quite good enough.
Same story, different day for the Laredo Broncos.
In what has become a terrible downfall at the most inopportune of times, the Broncos lost their ninth game in their last 11 tries by falling to the Alexandria Aces, 5-3, before a crowd of 1,146 at Veterans Field on Saturday night.
With their loss, and Edinburg’s 8-6 win over Harlingen, the Broncos’ grasp on the fourth and final playoff spot is down to one game.
Laredo stands at 29-33 while Edinburg is at 27-33.
Alexandria tallied its seventh consecutive win, and 12th in its last 13 games, and remained in first place at 39-23.
Laredo’s bats, lately, are colder than the Antarctic as the Broncos have tallied just 24 runs over their last six games.
On the mound, where the Broncos have surrendered 25 earned runs over the same span, Laredo was solid once again.
Right-handed starter Richard Bartlett (1-4), who had compiled a 15.7 ERA in his last four starts, was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
He struck out six and walked five.
Aces righty Robbie Wooley (2-1) earned the win, throwing 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on five hits.
He struck out five and walked four.
The Aces, who are 19-9 when scoring first, got another early lead on Selwyn Langaigne’s RBI double with two outs in the third inning.
Arnoldo Ponce answered with a sacrifice RBI to deep right field in the bottom of the inning.
The tie was put to rest in the fifth when Steven Wright, who had compiled four hits in his previous 23 at-bats, homered to left field with one out to put the Broncos ahead.
But Bartlett struggled in the sixth, showing poor control as he walked three to load the bases with two outs.
The Aces took advantage on Madison Edwards’ two-run single as they regained the lead, 3-2.
Alexandria padded its lead in the eighth on Rafael Ozuna’s RBI triple off right-handed reliever Dan Sausville before the Broncos added a run on Ivan Reyes’ RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
Bryan Sabatella scored on a Broncos error in the ninth to add insurance before Wayne Hedden sealed the win with his 11th save of the season.
The Broncos compiled three runs on nine hits to the Aces’ five runs on eight hits.
The teams conclude their four-game series today at 7:35 p.m.
BRONCO BITS: Broncos Manager Dan Shwam held a one-on-one meeting with a few players prior to Saturday’s contest to gauge opinions on the Broncos’ recent slide. Everything from poor work ethic to lack of effort on the field has been reasons of concern of late. Shwam met with players beginning around 4 p.m., and the meetings did not end until 7 p.m. … Broncos GM Jose Melendez said on Saturday that pitcher John Odom would not be returning to the Broncos. Odom, who was acquired from Calgary for 10 maple wood bats earlier this season, had spent the last month attending to family matters in Georgia. He started three games for the Broncos, acquiring a 0-1 record with a 6.10 ERA.
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
The offense struggled and the pitching was good, but not quite good enough.
Same story, different day for the Laredo Broncos.
In what has become a terrible downfall at the most inopportune of times, the Broncos lost their ninth game in their last 11 tries by falling to the Alexandria Aces, 5-3, before a crowd of 1,146 at Veterans Field on Saturday night.
With their loss, and Edinburg’s 8-6 win over Harlingen, the Broncos’ grasp on the fourth and final playoff spot is down to one game.
Laredo stands at 29-33 while Edinburg is at 27-33.
Alexandria tallied its seventh consecutive win, and 12th in its last 13 games, and remained in first place at 39-23.
Laredo’s bats, lately, are colder than the Antarctic as the Broncos have tallied just 24 runs over their last six games.
On the mound, where the Broncos have surrendered 25 earned runs over the same span, Laredo was solid once again.
Right-handed starter Richard Bartlett (1-4), who had compiled a 15.7 ERA in his last four starts, was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
He struck out six and walked five.
Aces righty Robbie Wooley (2-1) earned the win, throwing 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on five hits.
He struck out five and walked four.
The Aces, who are 19-9 when scoring first, got another early lead on Selwyn Langaigne’s RBI double with two outs in the third inning.
Arnoldo Ponce answered with a sacrifice RBI to deep right field in the bottom of the inning.
The tie was put to rest in the fifth when Steven Wright, who had compiled four hits in his previous 23 at-bats, homered to left field with one out to put the Broncos ahead.
But Bartlett struggled in the sixth, showing poor control as he walked three to load the bases with two outs.
The Aces took advantage on Madison Edwards’ two-run single as they regained the lead, 3-2.
Alexandria padded its lead in the eighth on Rafael Ozuna’s RBI triple off right-handed reliever Dan Sausville before the Broncos added a run on Ivan Reyes’ RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
Bryan Sabatella scored on a Broncos error in the ninth to add insurance before Wayne Hedden sealed the win with his 11th save of the season.
The Broncos compiled three runs on nine hits to the Aces’ five runs on eight hits.
The teams conclude their four-game series today at 7:35 p.m.
BRONCO BITS: Broncos Manager Dan Shwam held a one-on-one meeting with a few players prior to Saturday’s contest to gauge opinions on the Broncos’ recent slide. Everything from poor work ethic to lack of effort on the field has been reasons of concern of late. Shwam met with players beginning around 4 p.m., and the meetings did not end until 7 p.m. … Broncos GM Jose Melendez said on Saturday that pitcher John Odom would not be returning to the Broncos. Odom, who was acquired from Calgary for 10 maple wood bats earlier this season, had spent the last month attending to family matters in Georgia. He started three games for the Broncos, acquiring a 0-1 record with a 6.10 ERA.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Aces lead 5-3
Bryan Sabatella scored off an error with two outs in the ninth to boost the Aces' lead to 5-3.
Ivan Reyes' RBI single in the eighth had given Laredo its third run of the game.
Into the bottom of the inning we go.
Ozuna boosts Aces' lead
Rafael Ozuna's RBI triple with no outs in the 8th boosts the Aces' lead to 4-2.
Struggling offense still prospers
Broncos go down with little fight in the 7th.
Same score into the 8th.
Sausville saves the inning
Dan Sausville pitches out of the jam, forcing a 6-4-3 double play to end the 7th.
3-2 Aces into the bottom of the inning.
Reliever B.J. Litchfield is still out for Alexandria.
Bartlett out
Bartlett is out after allowing two on with one out to start the 7th.
He threw 6.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits. He struck out six and walked five.
Bartlett still in
The Broncos get a hit - from Dwayne White - and nothing else in the 6th.
Still 3-2 Aces into the 7th.
Wooley was removed with two outs in the 6th.
He's in line for the win, throwing 5.2 innings and surrendering two runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked four.
Bartlett is still in for the Broncos.
Bartlett breaks down
Bartlett broke down in the 6th, struggling mightily with his control and walking three to load the bases with two outs.
The Aces took a 3-2 lead on Madison Edwards' two-run single right between the right side of the infield.
Bartlett tallied his sixth strikeout to end the inning.
3-2 Aces into the bottom of the 6th.
Wright breaks tie
Steven Wright's solo home run to left field breaks the tie as the Broncos take a 2-1 lead into the 6th.
It was Wright's fifth bomb of the year.
Booming Bartlett
The Aces go down in order as Bartlett continues his strong play.
1-1 into the bottom of the 5th.
Down and out again
Aside from a Dwayne White single to lead off the 4th, the Broncos' offense is still struggling.
The Broncos again went down in order in the inning.
1-1 into the 5th
Bartlett still rollin'
Bartlett allows just one hit to lead off the 4th to Rafael Ozuna. He then retired the following three batters.
Some background on Bartlett coming into the game: in his last four outings, he has thrown 17.2 innings, surrendering 30 earned runs on 35 hits en route to a 15.7 ERA.
In this contest, he has pitched four innings, striking out five and allowing one run on four hits.
1-1 into the bottom of the inning.
Ponce ties game
Arnoldo Ponce's sacrifice RBI to deep right field with one out ties the game in the 3rd.
1-1 into the 4th.
Aces take lead
Selwyn Langaigne's RBI double with two outs in the 3rd gives the Aces a 1-0 lead.
Bartlett, all things considered, has pitched an exceptional game to this point. He's clearly in a groove and if the Broncos can manage any sort of offense whatsoever, things will look good.
Tinius gets first hit of game
Ben Tinius gets the Broncos' first hit of the game on a single to left field with two outs in the 2nd.
Still no score into the 3rd.
'K' for Bartlett
It was a different Bartlett in the second inning as he struck out the side with ease.
He already has four strikeouts in the game.
Here we go...
Broncos go down in order.
Seems like they're picking right up where they left off last night.
No score into the 2nd.
Bartlett escapes jam
Bartlett allows a single and walks one, putting two on with one out, but comes away unharmed in the 1st.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Aces, Game 3
The mood is quiet around Veterans Field today.
Manager Dan Shwam held a one-on-one meeting with each of his players in attempt to gauge opinions on why the Broncos have faltered of late.
The meetings started around 4 p.m. and did not end till a little after 7 p.m.
GM Jose Melendez reiterated to me that the team has not played hard. He added that there is no leadership nor a sense of accountability from the players.
Sound familiar?
Anyway, on to tonight...
The Broncos have lost three straight games, and eight of their last 10. The Aces have won six straight, and 11 of their last 12.
The Broncos' hitting has been horrendous in the last six games. They've averaged 4.8 runs and are hitting .233.
Richard Bartlett (1-3, 12.31 ERA) is on the mound for Laredo. This may be a pivotal game which decides whether or not he remains with the team.
He's lost three consecutive decisions and has a 1:1 strikeout-walk ratio.
With the Broncos looking at a few pitchers and hitters, the pressure is on Bartlett to perform.
Bartlett's opponent will be Robert Wooley (1-1, 6.75).
The Broncos' lineup for tonight:
RF Anthony Bennett
SS Arnoldo Ponce
C Luany Sanchez
DH Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
3B Ben Tinius
2B Ivan Reyes
1B Johnny Lopez
CF Steven Wright
Broncos' offensive woes come to light
Just mere days ago, the Broncos were second in United League Baseball in offense.
Now they're fourth.
That's what happens when you average 4.8 runs and hit .233 over your last six games.
I was able to talk with hitting coach Jon Hinkel after Friday's game.
His thoughts on the offense?
"We knew they couldn't stay hot all the time," he said. "When some bats go cold, we generally have had others get hot. Now, no one's hot."
That includes Luany Sanchez, a frontrunner for league MVP this year, and MVP of last week's All-Star game.
Since that All-Star game, Sanchez is 0-for-7 with no RBIs.
The Broncos are a free-swinging club that likes to swing for the fences. We know that, so it's understandable that the offense might go through a cold spell here and there.
It's par for the course.
But Hinkel's words also rang true when he stated the following:
"Any team that is playing hard would not be going through a poor stretch like this," he said. "It just wouldn't happen. We are not playing hard, At some point, the players have to start being accountable. There's only so much we as coaches can do."
Another thing that struck me about what Hinkel said:
"There have been no player meetings," he said. "Not once, during this whole bad streak. That tells you something."
Agreed. In fact, it says more than one might think.
It shows apathy and a lack of accountability. It shows poor responsibility.
I have no doubts the players are disappointed, having lost eight of their last 10 games.
But do they care enough to really buckle down and take care of business; become accountable for their actions and stop looking at the coaches?
I'm not so sure.
"We can preach and preach and preach about matters," Hinkel said. "We can talk all day long about how Edinburg is playing good baseball and is right on our tails for fourth place. We can preach that all night long.
"But until they start answering by their actions on the field, we're just blowing hot air."
Now they're fourth.
That's what happens when you average 4.8 runs and hit .233 over your last six games.
I was able to talk with hitting coach Jon Hinkel after Friday's game.
His thoughts on the offense?
"We knew they couldn't stay hot all the time," he said. "When some bats go cold, we generally have had others get hot. Now, no one's hot."
That includes Luany Sanchez, a frontrunner for league MVP this year, and MVP of last week's All-Star game.
Since that All-Star game, Sanchez is 0-for-7 with no RBIs.
The Broncos are a free-swinging club that likes to swing for the fences. We know that, so it's understandable that the offense might go through a cold spell here and there.
It's par for the course.
But Hinkel's words also rang true when he stated the following:
"Any team that is playing hard would not be going through a poor stretch like this," he said. "It just wouldn't happen. We are not playing hard, At some point, the players have to start being accountable. There's only so much we as coaches can do."
Another thing that struck me about what Hinkel said:
"There have been no player meetings," he said. "Not once, during this whole bad streak. That tells you something."
Agreed. In fact, it says more than one might think.
It shows apathy and a lack of accountability. It shows poor responsibility.
I have no doubts the players are disappointed, having lost eight of their last 10 games.
But do they care enough to really buckle down and take care of business; become accountable for their actions and stop looking at the coaches?
I'm not so sure.
"We can preach and preach and preach about matters," Hinkel said. "We can talk all day long about how Edinburg is playing good baseball and is right on our tails for fourth place. We can preach that all night long.
"But until they start answering by their actions on the field, we're just blowing hot air."
Two close as Broncos fall 5-1
By DENNIS SILVA II
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Two.
That’s the number which separates the Laredo Broncos from the fifth-place Edinburg Coyotes, the number in which a playoff berth sits following Laredo’s 5-1 loss to Alexandria before a crowd of 616 at Veterans Field on Friday night.
Accompanied with Edinburg’s 3-1 win over Harlingen, the Broncos’ hold on the fourth and final playoff spot is now two games as they fell to 29-32, losing their eighth game in their last 10 tries.
Alexandria continued its hot streak, winning its sixth straight game, and 11th of 13, as it improved to 38-23.
Broncos ace Santo Hernandez (6-4) was tagged with the loss.
He threw seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out 10 and walking one.
It was the third game this season in which he struck out at least 10 batters.
Two of those contests have been at Alexandria’s expense.
Alexandria’s Ramon Portillo (6-2) earned the win, throwing 6.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits.
He struck out one and walked two.
As has been the case for most of the season, the Broncos waited to be attacked before attacking.
The Aces got on the scoreboard first courtesy of Rafael Ozuna’s two-run home run to left field with one out to break a scoreless contest in the fourth inning.
Ivan Reyes’ ninth home run of the season, and second of the series, to lead off the fifth cut the Broncos’ deficit to one.
The Broncos took that deficit into the ninth before everything fell apart.
After left-handed reliever Rusty Jones loaded the bases with no outs, Bryan Sabatella and Eddie Fitzpatrick scored off a throwing error, and Jones’ bases-loaded walk to Andre Marshall with two outs padded the Aces’ lead to four runs.
The Aces’ Wayne Hedden retired the side to close the game.
Laredo compiled one run on two hits to Alexandria’s five runs on 10 hits.
The Broncos’ offense was bewildered all night long, managing just two hits against Portillo, and none against the Aces’ bullpen trio of B.J. Litchfield, Juan Carlos Ovalles and Hedden.
The Broncos’ lack of offense has been nothing new of late, however, as they are hitting .233 and averaging 4.8 runs per game in their last six games.
The Broncos and Aces continue their four-game series with Game 3 tonight at 7:35 p.m.
BRONCO BITS: The Broncos activated pitcher Mickey Callaway and infielder Johnny Lopez prior to Friday’s game. Reliever Nathan Crawford (0-2, 8.87 ERA, one save in 18 appearances) was released, and another release is pending. Callaway, formerly the head baseball coach at TAMIU and recently the Broncos’ pitching coach, made his debut in the eighth inning, allowing no hits and striking out one while walking two. He had not pitched in over a year, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Lopez, who missed most of the season with a wrist injury, went 0-for-3. … With Thursday’s attendance total of 731, the Broncos have fallen to last place in attendance in United League Baseball. They now claim an average of 1,185, falling beneath Alexandria, which averages 1,200. That average figures to fall further considering Friday’s attendance total of 616.
(Dennis Silva II may be reached at 728-2579 or at dsilva@lmtonline.com)
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Two.
That’s the number which separates the Laredo Broncos from the fifth-place Edinburg Coyotes, the number in which a playoff berth sits following Laredo’s 5-1 loss to Alexandria before a crowd of 616 at Veterans Field on Friday night.
Accompanied with Edinburg’s 3-1 win over Harlingen, the Broncos’ hold on the fourth and final playoff spot is now two games as they fell to 29-32, losing their eighth game in their last 10 tries.
Alexandria continued its hot streak, winning its sixth straight game, and 11th of 13, as it improved to 38-23.
Broncos ace Santo Hernandez (6-4) was tagged with the loss.
He threw seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out 10 and walking one.
It was the third game this season in which he struck out at least 10 batters.
Two of those contests have been at Alexandria’s expense.
Alexandria’s Ramon Portillo (6-2) earned the win, throwing 6.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits.
He struck out one and walked two.
As has been the case for most of the season, the Broncos waited to be attacked before attacking.
The Aces got on the scoreboard first courtesy of Rafael Ozuna’s two-run home run to left field with one out to break a scoreless contest in the fourth inning.
Ivan Reyes’ ninth home run of the season, and second of the series, to lead off the fifth cut the Broncos’ deficit to one.
The Broncos took that deficit into the ninth before everything fell apart.
After left-handed reliever Rusty Jones loaded the bases with no outs, Bryan Sabatella and Eddie Fitzpatrick scored off a throwing error, and Jones’ bases-loaded walk to Andre Marshall with two outs padded the Aces’ lead to four runs.
The Aces’ Wayne Hedden retired the side to close the game.
Laredo compiled one run on two hits to Alexandria’s five runs on 10 hits.
The Broncos’ offense was bewildered all night long, managing just two hits against Portillo, and none against the Aces’ bullpen trio of B.J. Litchfield, Juan Carlos Ovalles and Hedden.
The Broncos’ lack of offense has been nothing new of late, however, as they are hitting .233 and averaging 4.8 runs per game in their last six games.
The Broncos and Aces continue their four-game series with Game 3 tonight at 7:35 p.m.
BRONCO BITS: The Broncos activated pitcher Mickey Callaway and infielder Johnny Lopez prior to Friday’s game. Reliever Nathan Crawford (0-2, 8.87 ERA, one save in 18 appearances) was released, and another release is pending. Callaway, formerly the head baseball coach at TAMIU and recently the Broncos’ pitching coach, made his debut in the eighth inning, allowing no hits and striking out one while walking two. He had not pitched in over a year, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Lopez, who missed most of the season with a wrist injury, went 0-for-3. … With Thursday’s attendance total of 731, the Broncos have fallen to last place in attendance in United League Baseball. They now claim an average of 1,185, falling beneath Alexandria, which averages 1,200. That average figures to fall further considering Friday’s attendance total of 616.
(Dennis Silva II may be reached at 728-2579 or at dsilva@lmtonline.com)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Aces win
Aces win 5-1.
The Broncos are now just two games ahead of Edinburg for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Aces up 5-1
The Aces get three runs on two hits as it seemed the bases were loaded the entire inning.
Jones exhibited very little control in the inning, walking in one of the runs and allowing three consecutive singles at one point.
Broncos go down. Again.
The Broncos go down in order. Again. For the fifth time tonight.
Surprise, surprise.
Rusty Jones is in for relief for the Broncos.
2-1 Aces into the 9th.
Callaway escapes jam; Ovalles in for Aces
Callaway put two on with one out but escaped magnificently as the Aces still lead 2-1 into the bottom of the 8th.
He got his first strikeout of the inning on Madison Edwards.
He allowed no hits.
Juan Carlos Ovalles is in for the Aces.
Broncos go down again; Callaway in
For the fourth time of the game, the Broncos go down in order.
Hernandez is out. In seven innings, he allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out 10 and walking one.
Mickey Callaway is in for his Broncos debut.
Portillo out
After forcing Dwayne White into a groundout, Portillo is done.
He threw 6.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one and walking two.
Submariner righty reliever BJ. Litchfield is in.
What a dime!
Hernandez collects his 10th strikeout of the game in the 7th as the Aces lead 2-1 into the bottom of the inning.
It's his third game of at least 10 Ks. He's done it twice against the Aces.
Still 2-1 Aces
Portillo continues his dominance of the Bronco hitters as the Broncos go down in order in the 6th.
He's allowed two hits, and while he's not overpowering anybody (one strikeout), he's hitting his spots and showing a nice blend of pitches.
2-1 Aces into the 7th. Hernandez is back out on the mound for Laredo.
Heroic Hernandez
Hernandez loads the bases with two outs but escapes - yet again - as he takes a 2-1 deficit into the bottom of the 6th.
Reyes cuts Broncos' deficit
Ivan Reyes' solo blast to lead off the 5th cuts the Broncos' deficit to 2-1.
It's his ninth of the season, and his second of the series.
But...
The Broncos are 4-23 when trailing after five innings.
Better late than never
Hernandez allows a single in the 5th, but more importantly, he has retired five of the last six batters he's faced as he seems to be getting into a late groove.
Still 2-0 Aces into the bottom of the 5th.
Broncos' offense still struggles; Edinburg leading
The Broncos have yet to still score as they go down in order in the 4th.
While Hernandez has struggled, the Aces' Ramon Portillo has performed admirably, allowing just one hit through four innings.
In other bad news, Edinburg is leading Harlingen 3-1.
Ozuna's bomb gives Aces the lead
Rafael Ozuna's sixth homer of the season was a big one.
He hit a two-run bomb to left field with one out in the 4th to break a scoreless game.
It was only a matter of time before the Aces connected off Hernandez. His control has been off all game and has had to escape a few jams lately.
2-0 Alexandria heading into the bottom of the inning.
Nothin' comin' of it...
The Broncos put runners on first and second with one out in the 3rd but come away with nothing.
Luany Sanchez, after a brilliant performance in Tuesday's All-Star game which earned him the MVP award, has been in a slump of slate.
He's 0-for-5 in the last two games.
Trouble? No sir!
Hernandez got into trouble by allowing two on to lead off the 3rd.
But he escaped, retiring the next three batters and walking away unharmed.
He allows one hit in the 3rd.
0-0 into the bottom of the inning.
Clemente gets first hit of the game
Edgard Clemente got the game's first hit on a leadoff single in the 2nd. The Broncos put two on with two outs but came away with nothing.
0-0 into the 3rd.
Down again
Aces go down in order once again. Hernandez has two strikeouts.
0-0 into the bottom of the 2nd.
Still scoreless
The Broncos get one baserunner on via an Anthony Bennett walk but do nothing else.
That reminds me (don't ask me how)...the weather here is awesome, a great day for baseball. When I was leaving work earlier, I was drenched and it was pouring.
Here? Not so much.
No threat of a rainout...at least not yet.
0-0 into the 2nd.
Curious start for Hernandez
Three up, three down for the Aces in the 1st, though Hernandez is struggling with his control.
Twice, he allowed hitters to reach a full count, and he threw eight balls in the inning. Needless to say, he escaped those counts unharmed.
In regard to Hernandez, Melendez and I were talking about the ace last night. Melendez noted that major league scouts have a lot of interest in Hernandez as a reliever, since he only boasts a fastball and a slider.
Think about how good those two pitches must be if he blows away teams at ease with them.
No score into the bottom of the 1st.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Aces, Game 2
Game 2 for Broncos (29-31) vs. Aces (37-23) is 30 minutes away.
Ace right-hander Santo Hernandez (6-3, 3.09 ERA) is on the mound for Laredo. His opponent is Ramon Portillo (5-2, 4.98).
It's official: the Broncos activated infielder Johnny Lopez and pitcher Mickey Callaway.
Reliever Nathan Crawford (0-2, 8.87 ERA, 1 save in 18 appearances) was released. Another release is upcoming.
Prior to his wrist injury, Lopez was hitting .391 (9-for-23) with four runs scored, two RBIs and one home run in seven games.
Lopez is in the lineup tonight, batting in the No. 8 spot.
Callaway is ready out of the bullpen if needed.
Here is tonight's Broncos lineup:
SS Arnoldo Ponce
RF Anthony Bennett
C Luany Sanchez
DH Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
3B Ben Tinius
2B Ivan Reyes
1B Johnny Lopez
CF Steven Wright
Also, in former Bronco news, slugger Jose Salas was released from the Ottawa Rapids a few days ago.
The Broncos traded him to Ottawa on June 11 for cash considerations. Salas reportedly contacted Broncos GM Jose Melendez sometime afterward his release.
The Broncos are looking for a power hitter. Hmmmmmm....
Raw talent producing few results for struggling Broncos
Thirty games.
That's all that remains in the 2008 ULB season. And we're now at the stage where every game is crucial, since Edinburg is just 3 games behind Laredo for the fourth and final playoff spot.
A dejected Jose Melendez - the Broncos GM - sat lingering after last night's game.
"After that horrible fifth inning (when Alexandria scored five runs on six hits to take a 6-1 lead), I said, 'Watch us lose 6-5'," Melendez said. "And sure, enough we did. It's frustrating. We always do just enough to lose."
The Broncos are aware of their issues. It's not like they can't identify them.
The main concern is that these are issues that have lingered all season. There has been minimal - if any - improvement.
One bad error here. A tough inning there.
"If we went by how many innings we won, we'd be in first place," Melendez joked. "We generally have eight good innings and one bad one, but that one always costs us."
Melendez is disgusted at the team's mental psyche. According to him, this is a team that just doesn't get it - it doesn't understand the significance of situational hitting and fielding, and it almost always is the attacked, never the attacker.
It's clear Melendez has run out of answers. There's only so much raw talent can accomplish.
League officials, without hesitation, have praised the team's talent, admirable of Melendez for doing things the right way and getting the most out of what he's been given (which can't be said for all the other clubs).
And still, the Broncos are two games under .500, in the midst of a streak in which they've seven of nine games at a point when they can least afford it.
"Maybe I'm too negative, I don't know," Melendez said. "I just don't get it. Here we are, supposed to be one of the most talented teams in the league and we're struggling like this.
"I don't know what else to do."
That's all that remains in the 2008 ULB season. And we're now at the stage where every game is crucial, since Edinburg is just 3 games behind Laredo for the fourth and final playoff spot.
A dejected Jose Melendez - the Broncos GM - sat lingering after last night's game.
"After that horrible fifth inning (when Alexandria scored five runs on six hits to take a 6-1 lead), I said, 'Watch us lose 6-5'," Melendez said. "And sure, enough we did. It's frustrating. We always do just enough to lose."
The Broncos are aware of their issues. It's not like they can't identify them.
The main concern is that these are issues that have lingered all season. There has been minimal - if any - improvement.
One bad error here. A tough inning there.
"If we went by how many innings we won, we'd be in first place," Melendez joked. "We generally have eight good innings and one bad one, but that one always costs us."
Melendez is disgusted at the team's mental psyche. According to him, this is a team that just doesn't get it - it doesn't understand the significance of situational hitting and fielding, and it almost always is the attacked, never the attacker.
It's clear Melendez has run out of answers. There's only so much raw talent can accomplish.
League officials, without hesitation, have praised the team's talent, admirable of Melendez for doing things the right way and getting the most out of what he's been given (which can't be said for all the other clubs).
And still, the Broncos are two games under .500, in the midst of a streak in which they've seven of nine games at a point when they can least afford it.
"Maybe I'm too negative, I don't know," Melendez said. "I just don't get it. Here we are, supposed to be one of the most talented teams in the league and we're struggling like this.
"I don't know what else to do."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Broncos fall
Broncos fall, 6-5.
Anthony Bennett hit a sacrifice RBI with one out before Wayne Hedden struck out Steven Wright to earn his 10th save of the season.
Watkins strikes out the side
Watkins strikes out the side as Laredo has three outs to try and either tie the game or take the lead.
Reliever Wayne Hedden is in for the Broncos, looking for his 10th save of the season.
Still down 2
Broncos go down in order in the 8th. And what's discouraging is that those were the 3-4-5 hitters.
Womp womp.
6-4 Aces into the 8th. David Watkins is in for the Broncos.
6-4 Aces into the 8th
The Aces leave the 7th unharmed outside of Reyes' homer.
6-4 Aces into the 8th.
Quick exit for Ramirez
Ramirez didn't last long after surrendering Ivan Reyes' two-run bomb with no outs in the 7th.
Righty Juan Carlos Ovalles is in.
He's inheriting one runner and one out in the 7th.
Sausville gets out of the 7th
Sausville surrenders a walk and nothing else.
Still 6-2 into the bottom of the 7th.
Lefty reliever Ronald Ramirez is in to relieve Alejandro Martinez for the Aces.
Martinez threw six innings and allowed two runs on four hits, striking out three and walking three.
Sausville in for the 7th
Righty reliever Dan Sausville is in for the Broncos.
Gregorio Martinez is in line for the loss. He threw six innings and allowed six runs on 10 hits.
He walked one and struck out four.
Ponce bombs
Arnoldo Ponce drills a solo bomb to lead off the 6th to cut the Broncos' deficit to 6-2.
Into the 7th we go.
Martinez bounces back
Martinez bounces back from his horrific fifth with a 1-2-3 6th, compiling two strikeouts along the way.
6-1 Aces into the bottom of the 6th.
6-1 Aces into the 6th
After Ivan Reyes doubled to lead off the 5th, the Broncos go down in order.
Alejandro Martinez is pitching a solid game. He's allowed just one hit over the last three innings, and has given up just three in the game.
Gregorio Martinez is back out on the mound for Laredo.
Aces blow open game in the 5th
It was not a pretty fifth inning for Martinez.
He surrendered five runs on six hits and never recovered from allowing the first two batters he faced on base.
At one point, he gave up three consecutive RBI hits.
Alexandria leads 6-1 into the bottom of the 5th.
Still tied up
Broncos put one runner on base - via a walk - but do nothing else in the fourth.
Still 1-1 into the 5th.
All knotted up
Palmer Kerr, Jr's solo bomb to left field with one out in the 4th ties the game.
Other than that, Martinez leaves unscathed.
1-1 into the bottom of the 4th.
2 1/2 are done
Alexandria gets a leadoff hit but Martinez retires the next three batters as Laredo remains ahead, 1-0, heading into the bottom of the 3rd inning.
Broncos take 1-0 lead
Dwayne White's booming RBI double to deep center with no outs gives the Broncos a 1-0 lead heading into the 3rd.
Down in order
The Aces go down 1-2-3 in the 2nd as Martinez's strikeout total climbs to 2.
Into the bottom of the 2nd we go.
No score into the 2nd
The Broncos get one hit out of Steven Wright. Arnoldo Ponce strikes out and then Luany Sanchez grounded out into a 5-3 double play.
0-0 into the 2nd.
0-0 into the bottom of the 1st
Martinez leaves unharmed, surrendering just a hit while forcing two fly-outs and striking out one in the first.
Martinez on the mound...
Correction: Gregorio Martinez, not Donlin, is starting for the Broncos.
Martinez (4-1, 5.17 ERA) is the second ace of the Broncos.
Pre-game for Broncos vs. Alexandria
There's a sense of anxiety here at Veterans Field as the Broncos look forward to the final 31 games of the season.
The Broncos are four games out of third place, and four games out of fifth, but they seem confident and relaxed.
What concerns me is they have their sights set on Edinburg (in fifth place) instead of Amarillo (in third place).
Instead of looking at the teams behind them, they should be looking ahead. They seem content with getting the fourth, and final, playoff spot when third place is easily within their reach.
Anyway...
The debut of pitcher Mickey Callaway is on hold. The team has yet to receive the results from his physical, which they are expecting to get tomorrow.
They are also waiting on the same thing for infielder Johnny Lopez, who has missed the majority of the season with a right wrist injury.
If the Broncos have their way, both of them will be activated tomorrow, giving them a stud pitcher and a solid hitter who can bring in runs.
Also, General Manager Jose Melendez told me that the contracts of ace right-hander Santo Hernandez and catcher Luany Sanchez are expected to be bought out by affiliated teams in the near future.
Hernandez leads the league in ERA and strikeouts while Sanchez, the MVP of Tuesday's All-Star game, leads the league in home runs and RBIs.
So you can imagine the toll their losses will take, though Broncos officials are gleaming with pride over the possibility of their players moving up.
On to tonight's game:
Alexandria enters tonight's game with a 36-23 record, good for second place in ULB. It is 9-1 in its last 10 games and has won four straight.
Lineup for the Broncos:
CF Steven Wright
SS Arnoldo Ponce
C Luany Sanchez
DH Edgard Clemente
LF Dwayne White
3B Ben Tinius
1B Ivan Reyes
2B Eric Padilla
RF Anthony Bennett
On the mound for Laredo is lefty Sean Donlin (2-2, 3.22 ERA). His opponent is Alejandro Martinez (3-1, 6.14 ERA).
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Pressure to perform looms as Broncos enter late stretch
By DENNIS SILVA II
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Tuesday’s United League Baseball All-Star game provided a much-needed spectacle of fanaticism for the Broncos, who, prior to the premier contest, had lost six of their last eight games to fall under .500.
Broncos slugger Luany Sanchez, who drilled two home runs and compiled four RBIs, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, and scouts drooled over fellow teammates Dwayne White, Santo Hernandez and Gregorio Martinez, all of whom had stellar outings in an 8-5 win against the Golden League All-Stars.
But today is a new day, and if the Broncos (29-30) want a realistic definition of who they are at the moment, all they need to look at is their place in the league standings — fourth — and realize that only four games sit between them and fifth place, meaning a playoff berth is no foregone conclusion.
No matter what happened on Tuesday in San Angelo, all that is of concern are the next 31 games — beginning with the start of a seven-game homestand tonight against Alexandria (37-22) — as the Broncos look to make the postseason for the second time in three years.
“We’ve got to have a good run because (fifth-place) Edinburg’s on our heels now and we’ve got to put them away quickly,” Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez said. “The all-star game showed we have elite talent, but we’ve just had so much bad luck.
“Alexandria is a team to be reckoned with. This (four-game) series is going to be a true test. If we can play with them, I’ll be confident about our chances. We know we can beat up on the Edinburgs and Harlingens, but we need to start going tit-for-tat with the good teams.”
Between Melendez and Broncos Manager Dan Shwam, the Broncos’ points of concern are the bullpen and situational hitting and fielding.
The Broncos rank last in the league in pitching with a 5.91 ERA.
They’ve committed 85 errors, which have led to 66 unearned runs.
Three of five starters in their rotation have an ERA of 3.95 or lower, yet the Broncos are just 17-15 in games decided by three runs or fewer.
But the most telling figure of late was their recent eight-game road trip, in which one run decided five of the six losses.
“A lot of our bullpen just didn’t do a good job,” Shwam said. “Any time we went to them, we couldn’t get outs and we gave up runs. It’s a big problem.”
Added Melendez, “The bullpen’s our main concern, and I’m really concerned with situational fielding. I know we’ll hit, and I know we have the pitching to eventually succeed, but costly errors are dooming us late, and we can’t have that. The errors with two outs and such have to stop.”
The team is hoping that Mickey Callaway, the team’s pitching coach and a major league veteran of five years, will help aid the relief.
Callaway, who has missed the last year with an elbow injury and signed with the Broncos in early June with the understanding that he would coach until being healthy enough to play, is expected to be activated today.
The team plans to use him in late-game situations, hoping his veteran experience, poise and know-how rubs off on the team’s other relievers.
“He’s a veteran and someone who we think can come in and show the younger guys how to get it done,” Shwam said. “He’ll help out in a big way because he’s been through everything in his career.”
Aside from lack of solid bullpen relief, situational hitting is also a primary issue.
While the team ranks second in the league in hitting (.301), and first in home runs (68), little things such as not leaving men on base and producing with two outs will come to light in a big way during the playoffs.
“Situational hitting has been awful,” Shwam said. “It’s frustrating. We’re relying too much on Luany, Dwayne and Edgard (Clemente), and all it means is that if one of those guys does not have a good game any particular night, our chances of losing improves.”
The Broncos know what’s at stake, and whether or not they choose to do anything about it will be revealed sooner rather than later.
The next 13 games will go a long way in determining who they are, as all the contests are against Alexandria, San Angelo (33-21) and Amarillo (33-26), the top three clubs in the league.
“We have a good team,” Shwam said. “For whatever reason, things have just not gone our way. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a season this weird where we can’t put everything together at the same time.”
BRONCO BITS: The Broncos have their eyes set on another move or two, hoping to bring in another hitter or guys who can create on the base paths and bring in runs. Melendez emphasized that no move will be made for the sake of making a move. It will be a calculated transaction if one is to occur … With the league’s decision to give San Angelo home-field advantage in the playoffs — even with Alexandria claiming an identical record and owning the series head-to-head matchup following the first half of the season — due to the Colts’ having better attendance, the Broncos are keeping a sharp eye on Edinburg. It’s possible, with the precedent that has been set, that should the Broncos and Coyotes tie, the Coyotes will be given a playoff spot due to better attendance averages, even if Laredo owns the head-to-head advantage. “It is what it is,” Shwam said. “I’ve told our guys that they better not put themselves in a position where Edinburg gets close to us because I can see the league putting them in instead of us since they have better attendance. I don’t agree with it at all. But all we can afford to do is look at what we can do and what we can control.”
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Tuesday’s United League Baseball All-Star game provided a much-needed spectacle of fanaticism for the Broncos, who, prior to the premier contest, had lost six of their last eight games to fall under .500.
Broncos slugger Luany Sanchez, who drilled two home runs and compiled four RBIs, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, and scouts drooled over fellow teammates Dwayne White, Santo Hernandez and Gregorio Martinez, all of whom had stellar outings in an 8-5 win against the Golden League All-Stars.
But today is a new day, and if the Broncos (29-30) want a realistic definition of who they are at the moment, all they need to look at is their place in the league standings — fourth — and realize that only four games sit between them and fifth place, meaning a playoff berth is no foregone conclusion.
No matter what happened on Tuesday in San Angelo, all that is of concern are the next 31 games — beginning with the start of a seven-game homestand tonight against Alexandria (37-22) — as the Broncos look to make the postseason for the second time in three years.
“We’ve got to have a good run because (fifth-place) Edinburg’s on our heels now and we’ve got to put them away quickly,” Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez said. “The all-star game showed we have elite talent, but we’ve just had so much bad luck.
“Alexandria is a team to be reckoned with. This (four-game) series is going to be a true test. If we can play with them, I’ll be confident about our chances. We know we can beat up on the Edinburgs and Harlingens, but we need to start going tit-for-tat with the good teams.”
Between Melendez and Broncos Manager Dan Shwam, the Broncos’ points of concern are the bullpen and situational hitting and fielding.
The Broncos rank last in the league in pitching with a 5.91 ERA.
They’ve committed 85 errors, which have led to 66 unearned runs.
Three of five starters in their rotation have an ERA of 3.95 or lower, yet the Broncos are just 17-15 in games decided by three runs or fewer.
But the most telling figure of late was their recent eight-game road trip, in which one run decided five of the six losses.
“A lot of our bullpen just didn’t do a good job,” Shwam said. “Any time we went to them, we couldn’t get outs and we gave up runs. It’s a big problem.”
Added Melendez, “The bullpen’s our main concern, and I’m really concerned with situational fielding. I know we’ll hit, and I know we have the pitching to eventually succeed, but costly errors are dooming us late, and we can’t have that. The errors with two outs and such have to stop.”
The team is hoping that Mickey Callaway, the team’s pitching coach and a major league veteran of five years, will help aid the relief.
Callaway, who has missed the last year with an elbow injury and signed with the Broncos in early June with the understanding that he would coach until being healthy enough to play, is expected to be activated today.
The team plans to use him in late-game situations, hoping his veteran experience, poise and know-how rubs off on the team’s other relievers.
“He’s a veteran and someone who we think can come in and show the younger guys how to get it done,” Shwam said. “He’ll help out in a big way because he’s been through everything in his career.”
Aside from lack of solid bullpen relief, situational hitting is also a primary issue.
While the team ranks second in the league in hitting (.301), and first in home runs (68), little things such as not leaving men on base and producing with two outs will come to light in a big way during the playoffs.
“Situational hitting has been awful,” Shwam said. “It’s frustrating. We’re relying too much on Luany, Dwayne and Edgard (Clemente), and all it means is that if one of those guys does not have a good game any particular night, our chances of losing improves.”
The Broncos know what’s at stake, and whether or not they choose to do anything about it will be revealed sooner rather than later.
The next 13 games will go a long way in determining who they are, as all the contests are against Alexandria, San Angelo (33-21) and Amarillo (33-26), the top three clubs in the league.
“We have a good team,” Shwam said. “For whatever reason, things have just not gone our way. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a season this weird where we can’t put everything together at the same time.”
BRONCO BITS: The Broncos have their eyes set on another move or two, hoping to bring in another hitter or guys who can create on the base paths and bring in runs. Melendez emphasized that no move will be made for the sake of making a move. It will be a calculated transaction if one is to occur … With the league’s decision to give San Angelo home-field advantage in the playoffs — even with Alexandria claiming an identical record and owning the series head-to-head matchup following the first half of the season — due to the Colts’ having better attendance, the Broncos are keeping a sharp eye on Edinburg. It’s possible, with the precedent that has been set, that should the Broncos and Coyotes tie, the Coyotes will be given a playoff spot due to better attendance averages, even if Laredo owns the head-to-head advantage. “It is what it is,” Shwam said. “I’ve told our guys that they better not put themselves in a position where Edinburg gets close to us because I can see the league putting them in instead of us since they have better attendance. I don’t agree with it at all. But all we can afford to do is look at what we can do and what we can control.”
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