Coyotes best Broncos in the 9th on walk-off sac RBI

It was everything that a contest between two teams fighting desperately for a playoff berth is supposed to be.

It was dramatic, exhilarating and suspenseful. And the Broncos came away on the wrong end of it.

If any game this season will be deemed a "heartbreaker", Friday's 6-5 loss to Edinburg was it.

The Broncos trailed 5-0. They rallied to tie 5-5 in ESPN-like fashion, courtesy of Ben Tinius' two-run bomb in the seventh.

Then, when the pressure was at its peak, the Coyotes prevailed in the their final at-bat in the ninth, on Eric Gonzalez's sacrifice RBI with one out.

Broncos outfielder Edgard Clemente's throw was not in time as Daryl Jones, who had walked to lead off the inning, scored, capturing the Coyotes' fifth straight win, and, more importantly, giving them now a three-game lead over the Broncos for the fourth playoff spot.

Both clubs were efficient. The Broncos scored five runs on seven hits, the Coyotes six on eight. Each team homered. Each had their moments, both good and bad.

It was as even of a contest as you'd expect. But Edinburg prevailed when it mattered most.

Broncos ace Santo Hernandez had his third streaky consecutive outing.

After surrendering eight earned runs in 10 innings in his previous two starts (both losses), he was fortunate to come away with a no-decision tonight after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits in six innings.

He may lead the league in ERA and strikeouts, but where it matters most - the win-loss column - he is a mediocre 7-7.

The Broncos and Coyotes continue their three-game set with Game 2 slated for Saturday night.

Now only eight games remain for Laredo, which sits at 37-45, to try and squeeze into the playoffs.

Andy Schon (8-4, 4.46 ERA) is up tonight as the Broncos now have to win the next two for a series win.

For all intent and purposes, Saturday's game will decide the season. The Broncos cannot afford to fall four games back with seven games remaining, three of which will be against an Alexandria club that has done well against them all season.

Eighty-two games are in the books. But the only one that matters is Saturday's.