Lack of effort, fire hurting Broncos

Thirteen games remain.

The Broncos, at 36-41, are desperately holding on to the fourth and final playoff spot. If they don't start taking matters a bit more seriously, the "most talented team in the league", according to ULB officials and managers, could find itself watching the playoffs from home.

After sweeping the lowly Harlingen WhiteWings earlier this week, the Broncos have crashed back to reality with two consecutive losses, and are facing being swept by San Angelo if the Colts prevail in the last game of their three-game series tomorrow.

"We didn't dominate the Harlingen series like we should have," Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez said. "We barely scrapped out of there with a sweep, and the momentum that I had hoped from it is not there. Now they've come back and lose two in a row. We could be three games up on Edinburg right now.

"I don't see the effort."

In a nutshell, the Broncos are inconsistent and boast poor work ethic and enthusiasm.

For a team with a playoff berth on the line, it would appear the Broncos are comfortable waiting for the season to end so they can go back home and get on with their lives.

"For the last three weeks, it's the same thing," Melendez said. "When we pitch, we don't hit and vice versa. This is the worst possible slump at the worst possible time. We're always finding ways to lose games."

The Broncos look scared and willingly fold under pressure.

The starting pitching has been stellar, the bullpen has been so-so and the hitting has been atrocious.

In the first half of the season, it was the complete opposite, and the bad luck is obviously taking its toll amongst the players.

This is a team that does not play well without a lead, wanting things given to it so it doesn't have to work hard to pad its stats. There's no fire or passion, and being on the wrong side of the scoreboard early during games only fuels its downtrodden morale.

There's no heart or grit. More importantly, there's no try.

When asked what manager Dan Shwam and players tell him of their concerns, Melendez points to one glaring reason.

"There's no leadership," he said. "We have everything in place but no one wants to step up. I can't have guys who are just here happy to play. We're in this to win, so we can hopefully get a new stadium and have an attractive product."

At 5 p.m. today, a lot will happen. The city council will meet on whether to put the Broncos' bid for a new stadium on its ballot. Two weeks from now is the deadline which to get them on.

If they do not get on, the Broncos cannot again bid until two years from now.

Asked if he could see the Broncos lasting until then, Melendez said: "No. We're very lucky to have even lasted these last three years. I'm really scared and worried about what the council will say or do."

Also at 5 p.m. is the league's deadline for final roster transactions. The Broncos will still be able to release players the rest of the season but they will not be able to add anyone.

Melendez confirmed late Sunday night that right-handed reliever Maximo de la Cruz is expected to be signed tomorrow.

De La Cruz pitched last year with Rio Grande Valley (now Harlingen), acquiring a 6-7 record with a 4.36 ERA in 18 appearances, 17 as a starter.

He pitched two complete games with the WhiteWings.

Overall, De La Cruz is 24-24 with a 4.38 ERA. He owns a 2.32 strikeout/walk ratio.

If anything, Melendez is hoping De La Cruz lends some stability, and that the team might relax knowing that the club that takes the field tonight will be the one that stands for the rest of the season.

Those who felt they were on the brink of being traded or released could be afforded a chance to relax and settle down.

"We need a spark, from somewhere or someone," Melendez said. "If it was up to me, I'd get rid of everybody. No one is performing like they should. I see no energy and it seems like they don't want it. This team looks scared. They have a golden opportunity in front of them and I've never seen a team play so flat.

"This team should be excited and hungry that they have a shot at the playoffs. I don't understand it and it's frustrating."