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June 30, 2009-Harlingen, TX-the Laredo Broncos rallied with 3 runs in the 8th as they defeated the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings by a score of 6-4 at Harlingen Field, on Tuesday.

For the 2nd straight night, the Broncos jumped out to the early lead.  With 2 outs Mario Mendez walked.  Argelis Nunez came up and hit a rbi double scoring Mendez, and Laredo had the early 1-0 lead.

The Broncos added to their lead in the top of the 3rd.  With 2 outs, Miguel Ortiz doubled and then scored on a single by Mario Mendez who advanced to 2nd on the throw to the plate.  Argelis Nunez then hit a rbi single of his own scoring Mendez.  That extended Laredo’s lead to 3-0.

The WhiteWings got on the scoreboard in their half of the 3rd.  Newly acquired catcher Justin Holloway hit a solo home run, his 1st of the season, to lead off the inning.  Casey Allen followed with a single, and moved to 2nd on a walk by Kenneth Hart.  After a sacrifice bunt moved them to 2nd and 3rd, Jonathan Poterson delivered a 2 run single scoring both runners.  That tied the game up at 3.

The WhiteWings grabbed the lead in the bottom of the 4th.  With 1 away, Joaquin Rodriguez singled.  Rodriguez then stole 2nd and went to 3rd when the throw by Broncos’ catcher Jake Wells went into centerfield.  Justin Holloway then delivered a rbi single scoring Rodriguez and giving Rio Grande Valley the 4-3 lead.

Broncos’ starter Gustavo Vasquez would leave the game after 7 innings of work.  He gave up 4 runs on 9 hits, he walked 2 batters and struck out 7.  Travis Parker came into the game for Laredo.

The Broncos mounted a late rally in the top of the 8th against WhiteWings reliever Juan Diaz.  Mario Mendez led off the inning with a triple.  Argelis Nunez then followed that with a walk, putting runners on the corner.  Andres Santos hit a ground ball to the 3rd baseman Welinson Baez who tried to get Mendez at home, but the throw was wide allowing the tying run to score.  Nunez would move to 2nd and Santos would be safe at 1st.  Then with 1 out and Rafael Ozuna batting a wild pitch was thrown by Diaz which allowed Nunez to move to 3rd.  Ozuna then delivered a rbi single scoring Nunez.  Jaime Morales came up to the plate with 2 outs and singled into right field.  Originally Santos was going to be held at 3rd, but the ball got by right fielder  Kenneth Hart allowing Santos to score and giving Laredo the 6-4 lead.

Broncos’ reliever Travis Parker struggled to start the 8th inning as he walked the first 2 men he faced.  Tristan Crawford came in for the Broncos looking to hold on to the lead.  Crawford would get the Ryan Kottke and Casey Allen to strike out, and Kenneth Hart to ground out to end the threat and keep Laredo up by 2 runs.

Crawford would shut down the WhiteWings in the 9th inning picking up the save as the Broncos won by a score of 6-4.

The Broncos scored 6 runs on 11 hits and had 1error while the WhiteWings scored 4 runs on 9 hits and had 1error.

The Broncos are now 5-14 on the season while the WhiteWings are 10-9.  The Broncos will next be in action Wednesday July 1st, as they play the final 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.sportsjuice.com.

WP: Travis Parker (1-1)
LP: Juan Diaz (2-1)
S: Tristan Crawford (1)

HR:     Broncos:  None           WhiteWings: Justin Holloway (1st 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.