Struggling Broncos look forward to break

By DENNIS SILVA II
LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Heading into this week’s all-star break, the Broncos (29-29 heading into Sunday’s game) sit in fourth place in United League Baseball, behind Alexandria (36-23), San Angelo (33-21), and Amarillo (33-25), respectively, and are six games ahead of fifth-place Edinburg.

The break is coming at an opportune time as the Broncos are coming off a disastrous eight-game road trip in which they won three games.

Three of their five losses were by one run.

“We’ve had a lot of bad breaks,” Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez said. “We’ve also had bad bullpen help. It seems that one mistake always seems to cost us.
“These are just dark stretches but they’re no cute anymore. We can’t afford five or six losses in a short period of time.”

In four of the five losses, a Bronco reliever was tagged with the decision.

Melendez is optimistic that the bullpen will get back on track following the all-star break.

Pitching coach/player Mickey Callaway is expected to be activated on July 17.

The five year Major League veteran will be the designated closer until his arm is in shape to join the starting rotation.

David Watkins, who was supposed to assume the closing role, has been out of shape so the Broncos will look to him in a short relief role for the time being.

But he is still projected to be the team’s closer eventually.

“Mickey will help a lot, as far as bringing experience and a veteran arm to the bullpen,” Melendez said. “Right now, we don’t have guys who can do well in long relief so we’re hoping adding Mickey gives us better ability to close games.”

The Broncos will return from the break with a seven-game homestand starting Thursday with a four-game series against Alexandria.

ALL-STAR RELIEF?

Following Sunday’s game, Melendez and the four Broncos who qualified for the All-Star game – infielder Luany Sanchez, outfielder Dwayne White, and ace pitchers Santo Hernandez and Gregorio Martinez – left for San Angelo.

The all-star game will be held on Tuesday at Foster Field. The contest will put the ULB All-Stars against the Golden League All-Stars.

Alexandria Manager Ricky VanAsselberg will manage the ULB All-Stars. He will be assisted by San Angelo Manager Doc Edwards.

While many might assume that the break is a time of enjoyment and relaxation for those involved, Melendez assures that is not the case.

“It’s far from fun,” he said with a laugh. “We hold a lot of league meetings during this break, discussing how each team is doing, future plans and how we can get better as a league. I’m in meetings from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and then we have All-Star festivities afterward.

“So it’s a lot of work.”

The All-Star Home Run Derby will precede the game. Sanchez is expected to be a participant.

Heading into Sunday’s action, Sanchez led the league in home runs with 16.

Amarillo’s A.J. Johnson was in second place with 14.

Broncos Manager Dan Shwam will not be attending the game and will take the break to spend time with his family.

WHITEWINGS’ MOVES SHOW SLOW RESULTS

On July 8, Harlingen, under former closer and new manager Caleb Balbuena, remade its roster, signing right-handed pitchers Justin Staatz and Clint Smith, left-handed pitcher Bryan Herrera and third baseman Trey Hendricks.

The WhiteWings also re-signed catcher Carl Johnson and released right-handed pitcher Chris Street, left-handed pitcher Brandon Kling, infielder Terry Roblez and outfielders Bub Bergstrom and Argelis Nunez.

“The season hasn’t been going the way we hoped so far, regarding the win column, so we’re making moves,” Balbuena said last week. “We’re just trying to get better. With the guys that we’re bringing in, I think we’re going to be a lot better and get the job done.”

Not so much.

Harlingen is 1-4 since the roster moves, still in last place in the league standings with a 17-39 record.

The future doesn’t look too bright, either.

In their next 15 games, the WhiteWings will play Amarillo and San Angelo six times, and Laredo twice.

BRONCO STAT RUNDOWN

Heading into Sunday’s game, White led the Broncos in hitting with a .376 average.

White leads the league in hits (94) and is fourth in hitting.

Sanchez leads the league in RBIs with 61. Anthony Bennett leads the club in walks with 33.

Bennett (7-for-8) and Steven Wright (7-for-10) lead the team in stolen bases.
Hernandez leads the league in ERA (3.09) and strikeouts (89).

The Broncos are last in the league in pitching (5.92 team ERA) and are third in hitting (.302).

They lead the league in home runs with 67.