Broncos jump out to big lead; then hold on to split series with Coastal Bend
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 2, 2010, 0 Comments
ROBSTOWN, TX – The Broncos jumped out to an 8-0 lead over the Thunder in the final game of the game series with Coastal Bend only to hold on for the wild 9-7 victory and move to 2-4 on the season; Coastal Bend dropped to 3-3.
The Broncos offense would show signs of life early and often in the fourth and final game of their first road trip of 2010. Second baseman Jason Diaz led things off with a walk and after a SAC bunt by third baseman Ben Wolgamot Center fielder Kenneth Gilbert knocked Diaz in with an RBI single; his sixth RBI of the season, to give the Broncos the early 1-0 lead.
In the second inning right fielder Doug Thennis would single to start the inning and then left fielder David Fowler would double Thennis to third for his first hit of the season. With one out shortstop Felix Adamkiewicz would hit a first pitch SAC fly to left field to put the Bronos up 2-0.
The top of the third frame the Broncos offense went back to work, Gilbert reached on a fielder’s choice after a Wolgamot walk led things off. Catcher Luany Sanchez lined a double into the gap to pick up his first RBI of the season and push the lead to 3-0 Broncos. Designated Hitter Dustin Spruill came to the plate next and provided the big hit by lining a two run homer over the left field wall for a 5-0 Broncos lead.
The Broncos offense would not stop there. In the top of the fifth Kenneth Gilbert would double with one away. Luany Sanchez would then pick up his second RBI of the game with a single and the score was 6-0 Broncos. Dustin Spruill, having already homered in the game doubled to score Sanchez and pick up his third RBI of the game, and extend the Bronco lead to 7-0.
For insurance in the top of the sixth inning Fowler ledoff with a double, shortstop Felix Adamkiewicz then singled Fowler home to give the Broncos an 8-0 lead over the Thunder.
RHP Santo Hernandez, making his second start of the 2010 campaign faced just five batters over the minium through five full frames, allowing just two hits and walking three. In the sixth however, Hernandez would run into trouble.
A leadoff single by third baseman Levy Venutra started things off. Brian Nichols then hit a single that moved Ventura to third. Designated Hitter Manny Mejia reached on an infield single that scored Ventura form third and the score was Broncos 9, Thunder 1. One batter later, and Hernandez having been replaced by Angelo Morales catcher Lester Contreras singled home Nichols to make the score 9-2 Broncos. After a Ron Fenwick walk, Albert Gonzalez singled home Mejia to end the scoring in the sixth and make the game 9-3 Broncos.
The broncos would tap that insurance once again in the top of the seventh Gilbert would leadoff with a walk and steal second base. Catcher Luany Sanchez would then single and Doug Thennis would hit into an RBI fielder’s choice to give the Broncos a 9-3 lead.
RHP Jeff Jamnik pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball to get the Broncos into the bottom of the eighth where LHP Vinnie Dechristofaro got the Thunder 1-2-3.
Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning the Broncos held a 9-3 lead, Bronco manager Dan Firova decided to go with closer Jonathan Miller in a non save situation. Miller immediately got into trouble, giving up a double to Mike Goss. Levy Ventura singled for the Thunder and Brian Nichols hit a ground ruled double to plate Goss and make the score 9-4 Boncos. Manny Mejia would single home both Ventura and Nichols to push the score to 9-6 Broncos. Left fielder Alex Fernandez making his first start of the season for the Thunder would hit into a fielder’s choice where Mejia was put out at second and finally Lester Contreras would single.
Firova had seen enough from his closer, in all Miller gave up five hits and four runs in just 1/3 of an inning. LHP Aaron Jenkins was summoned to the mound. Jenkins faced only two batters, Ron Fenwick would reach on an error and Albert Gonzalez would work a walk with the bases loaded to close the gap to 9-7 Broncos.
Firova would again go to the Bullpen with the bases loaded and only one out. RHP MIchael Lucas got the call. Lucas faced leadoff man Mike Lewis and induced the fly ball to right fielder Doug Thennis who made the catch and unleased a bullet to the plate. Catcher Luany Sanchez caught the ball on the one hop and for the second night in a row Thennis nailed a Thunder runner trying to tag-up on a fly ball. This one to end the game and preserve the 9-7 Bronco win.
WP: Hernandez (1-0)
LP: Trevino (0-2)
S: Lucas (1)
It was a wild ending to a four game series in whcih each team won a pair. The Broncos now head home to Veterans Field for a four game set against the White Wings. First pitch set for 7:35 PM, RHP Dimitri Camareno will make his second start of the season for the Broncos.