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Harlingen, TX-the Laredo Broncos could only muster 4 hits against the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings as they lost by a score of 6-1 at Harlingen Field, on Sunday.

Both starters were strong in the early part of the ball game.  The WhiteWings’ Sendy Vasquez through his first 4 innings of work gave up no runs on 2 hits.  While the Broncos’ Gregorio Martinez through his first 3 innings of work gave up no runs as well on only 1 hit, and struck out 6.

However, the WhiteWings would get to Martinez in the 4th inning.  Rico Santana led off the inning with a single.  The very next batter Alberto Cruz would score Santana with a rbi double.  Then with 2 away, Joaquin Rodriguez delivered a rbi single scoring Cruz and giving Rio Grande Valley the 2-0 lead.

The Broncos’ threatened in the 5th inning.  Andres Santos hit what appeared to be a home run, but it was called foul by the home plate umpire Jeff Bottoms.  Despite arguments from Santos and Manager Ricardo Cuevas, the rule was not overturned.  Santos then grounded out and slammed his helmet in frustration.  He was ejected from the game.  Later in the inning the Broncos would have Miguel Ortiz at 3rd and Rafael Ozuna at 1st with 1 away.  They tried a double steal, but Ortiz was thrown out at home ending the threat and keeping the score 2-0.

The WhiteWings added on to their lead in their half of the 6th.  After Martinez struck out the first 2 batters of the inning, Welison Baez hit a ball on the infield that took a weird hop and Broncos 3rd baseman Miguel Ortiz couldn’t get to it, allowing Baez to be safe.  Then Joaquin Rodriguez smacked a 2 run home run, his 2nd of the season, which gave Rio Grande Valley the 4-0 lead.

The WhiteWings extended their lead in the bottom of the 7th.  Rico Santana hit a 2 run single that gave them a 6-0 lead.

That single knocked out Broncos starter Gregorio Martinez who pitched 6 1/3 innings.  He gave up 6 runs on 9 hits, walked only 2 and struck out 13.  Miguel Ortiz would come into the game in relief. 

The Broncos got on the board in the top of the 8th inning.  David Cardona hit a solo home run, his 3rd of the season.  That made the score 6-1.

However, the Broncos could not do any more damage against the WhiteWings, as they lost by a score of 6-1.

The Broncos scored 1 runs on 4 hits and had 0 errors while the WhiteWings scored 6 runs on 10 hits and had 1 error.

The Broncos are now 4-13 on the season while the WhiteWings are 9-8.  The Broncos will next be in action Monday June 29th as they play the 2nd game of a 4 game series against the
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings at 7:05.  You can listen to that game and all 80 Broncos games this year on www.laredobroncos.com thru our partners at www.sportsuice.com.

WP: Sendy Vasquez (1-2)
LP: Gregorio Martinez (1-2)
S: Juan Jimenez (1)

HR:     Broncos: David Cardona (3rd of season)           WhiteWings: Joaquin Rodriguez (2nd of season)

The Laredo Broncos begin their 4th season in 2009. The Broncos will play an 80 game season from June to September with 36 home games at Veterans Field..  Season tickets and Sponsorship Packages are on sale in the Laredo Broncos office located at 2200 Santa Maria or can be contacted at 723-BASE (2273) or on the web at www.laredobroncos.com.