In control of their own destiny

This is what they needed.

This is what they desired and longed for.

On a night which the pitching surrendered two runs on five hits, on a night the offense met the challenge with nine runs on 15 hits...the Broncos got what they wanted most.

A win. A demonstrative win at that, courtesy of a 9-2 blasting of Amarillo on Thursday before 1,005 fans at Veterans Field.

"This team is capable of playing like that every single night," Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez said. "We dug ourselves a hole but now we've got to take care of business. We're very capable of going 9-0, 8-1, 7-2 the rest of the way. This team is just too talented to sit back.

"We've got to think positively and know that we'll win every game, take every series. We have to have the mentality that the worst is behind us and the best is still to come."

That's exactly what it is. The Broncos' mind set and confidence has been so down lately that they fell entrapped in a "woe is me" attitude.

But Thursday gave them perfect reason to scrap that nonsense.

Yes, they're still seven games under .500 (37-44) and two games behind Edinburg for the last playoff spot.

But the season has come down to nine games. HUGE games. Six monumental games against those hated Coyotes, starting tonight with a three-game set in Edinburg.

"We needed this (win) in the worst way," Broncos Manager Dan Shwam said. "This is for all the marbles now. I hope our guys are ready.

"We're the better team. Even without Luany (Sanchez), we're still the better team. But the bottom line is these six games will tell and we'll really see who the better team is."

Throughout the losing skid - five straight, and three of their last 10 - that preceded the win, the Broncos talked about needing a spark; anything that could send them on a roll.

Right-hander Mickey Callaway, after his strong start to earn a win against the Dillas on Thursday, could very well be that inspiration.

Fresh off Tommy John surgery, the five-year Major League veteran threw five shutout innings in his first start since God knows when.

He allowed three hits. He struck out five and walked one. And he's the one who got them off the skid.

"Mickey came up big," Melendez said. "That's what he needed to do, was to step up and show the guys we can win."

Added Callaway, "We definitely needed this. Now it's on to Edinburg, and these next three games will tell the tale and see what kind of team we are."

In regard to his performance, Callaway, who had entered the game 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in five relief appearances, smiled.

"I felt great. I was able to go through my routine, get ready and get my pitches where they need to be.

"Being able to go five innings at this point of my rehab is excellent. This is what I strived for. I feel like I've worked hard enough to where I can throw extended innings."

Now comes the Coyotes, who have rallied from six games behind Laredo to take a two-game lead for the fourth and final playoff spot.

For a team with its share of veterans, nothing needs to be said. No rah-rah speech is needed.

The Broncos will throw out their best pitchers in Edinburg, in Santo Hernandez, Andy Schon and Sean Donlin.

Even so, Shwam will be certain that his players have no confusion as to what exactly is at stake.

"We'll have a team meeting tomorrow to reiterate what we all already know," he said. "It's put up or shut up time. If they really want to be in the playoffs, they'll prove it. If not, it'll show. They've got six games against a team they're better than."

Asked if he's anxious or nervous, Shwam replied: "I'm anxious to see if we have spirit and heart. I know Edinburg will. They'll try and knock us in the teeth right from the start. They'll be in our face.

"We have to do our job and I'm anxious to see how we'll counter."

Melendez, too, was slightly worried as well.

But in a reflection of the positive attitude and aura that has all of sudden surrounded the team of late, he expressed confidence and optimism in a situation that just days ago seemed bleak and dreary.

"I'm worried, but we've always played well against Edinburg," he said. "In the games we've lost, it was either because one bad pitch, one bad error. But it's important to know that the clock is ticking.

"There's only nine more games left. There's always pressure in these situations but we'll be okay. We have the better team.

"When we come home Tuesday (for another three-game set against Edinburg), I hope we're tied or ahead. That way, we can clinch the playoffs at home.

"I mean, what better way to do it, right?"