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.
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