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Laredo, TX-the Laredo Broncos and the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings combined for 18 runs and 25 hits.  But the WhiteWings picked up the victory by a score of 10-8 at Veterans Field, on Thursday.

The WhiteWings exploded offensively in the first inning.  They loaded the bases with no one out against Broncos’ starter Edgar Soto.  Soto walked Brian Nichols, which scored Augustin Septimo from third.  Edgar Soto was then taken out of the game after the walk, as Jason Herman came into the game.  Herman was greeted by a two run single by Alberto Cruz, which scored both Denys Lantigua and Angel Reyes.  After another single loaded the bases, Welinson Baez hit into a double play, but scoring on the play was Nichols.  That gave Rio Grande Valley the early 4-0 lead.

The Broncos starter Edgar Soto did not record an out in his start.  He gave up four runs, on one hit.  He walked three batters and struck out none.

Laredo got on the scoreboard in the first as well.  Luis Ugueto and David Cardona drew back to back walks.  Mario Mendez then hit what looked to be a double play ball, but the relay throw was thrown away, which allowed Ugueto to score.  That made the score 4-1.

The Broncos threatened in the third inning.  With one out, Jaime Morales walked.  Luis Ugueto followed with a single, advancing Morales to third base.  David Cardona followed with a walk to load the bases.  WhiteWings starter Maximo De La Cruz was taken out of the game for Ryan Dixon.  Mario Mendez came up and hit a two run single that scored both Morales and Ugueto.  That cut Rio Grande Valley’s lead to one.  The score was now 4-3.

The WhiteWings answered back in the fourth inning.  Jonathan Poterson led off with a single, and was followed by a single by Sandy DeLeon.  Augustin Septimo then reached on an infield single, the throw by Broncos’ catcher Luany Sanchez to first base got by the first baseman, allowing Poterson to score, DeLeon to move to third, and Septimo to advance to second.  With one out, Angel Reyes walked to load the bases.  That was it for Jason Herman as Carlos Alvarez came into the game.  Brian Nichols came up and hit a grand slam home run, his fourth home run of the season.  That gave the WhiteWings a commanding 9-3 lead.

Laredo added some runs in their half of the fourth.  With one out, Robert Moron doubled and then scored on a single by OJ Garza.  Garza then stole second and went to third on a single by Jaime Morales.  Luis Ugueto followed with a single, which scored Garza and advanced Morales to second.  David Cardona then hit a two run double scoring both Morales and Ugueto.  Then with two outs, Argelis singled in Cardona.  That made the score 9-8.

The Broncos’ reliever Carlos Alvarez and The WhiteWings reliever Jesus Sanchez finally slowed down the scoring.  Both pitchers kept the other team off the scoreboard for the next four innings, as the game headed to the 9th with Rio Grande Valley still leading 9-8.

The WhiteWings finally got to Alvarez in the ninth.  With one out, Brian Nichols hit his second home run of the game, this time a solo shot.  It was his fifth home run of the season, and it made the score 10-8.  Rio Grande Valley brought in their closer Julio Santana to get the save.

The Broncos’ David Cardona drew a walk with one out, to bring the tying run to the plate.  However Mario Mendez struck out, and Argelis Nunez flied out.  The WhiteWings picked up the victory by a score 10-8.

The Broncos scored 8 runs on 12 hits and had 1 error while the WhiteWings scored 10 runs on 13 hits and had 2 errors.

The Broncos are now 11-24 on the season while the WhiteWings are 16-19.  The Broncos will next be in action Friday July 17th, as they play the finale of a four game series against the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings in Laredo at 7:30.  You can listen to that game and all 80 Broncos games this year on our website www.laredobroncos.com through our partners at www.sportsujuice.com.

WP:  Jesus Sanchez (2-0)
LP:  Edgar Soto (0-1)
S: Julio Santana (8)

HR:     Broncos: None        WhiteWings:  Brian Nichols 2 (Grand Slam, 4th and 5th of season