June 20, 2009

June 20, 2009 -- Robstown, TX -- Spotting the opposing team an early lead is never something any baseball team sets out to do. However, after surrendering the lead in the first for a second straight night, the Thunder offense answered with runs of their own. The Thunder sent all 9 batters in the lineup to the plate and scored 4 times to grab a 4-1 lead. Toro Trevino used the momentum from the offense to settle into a nice rhythm on the mound. He scattered 8 hits and allowed only 2 runs while striking out 4 in 6 strong innings of work. With the 12-2 win, the Thunder evened their record at 5-5.

Raul Trevino, another of the local players on this Thunder roster, pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the save. He allowed only 1 hit and struck out 2 Bronco batters. Trevino was signed earlier this morning and saw action in his first game in uniform. Raul played his high school ball right here at Corpus Christi Incarnate Word and pitched collegiately at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

The Trevino’s both pitched extremely well this evening holding this potent Bronco offense to only 2 runs, but the Thunder offense exploding for 12 runs stole the show.

In the bottom of the first with 2 outs and no one on, Leivi Ventura got things started with a single to left-center. First baseman Manny Mejia drew a walk and Mike Goss was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Thunder shortstop Amadeo Zazueta singled to center to drive in the Ventura and Mejia. Goss and Zazueta were both heads up and took the extra base to move up to second and third respectively when Bronco centerfielder OJ Garza airmailed the cutoff man on the throw home. Designated hitter, Juvy Ibarra, stepped up next and laced a liner to centerfield to score Goss and Zazueta.

Trevino surrendered a long solo home run to Mario Mendez in the 3rd but was able to work out of a jam later in the inning by striking out Ozuna and inducing a groundout by OJ Garza stranding runners at second and third.

Thunder wasted golden opportunities in the second and third to extend the lead. In both innings, Coastal Bend had a runner on third with less than two outs and not scoring. The Thunder squandered another opportunity in the 4th despite scoring one run. Smith led off with a walk and stole second, mimicking the start to the bottom of the second. Lewis drew a 4-pitch walk bringing up Leivi Ventura with nobody out. Ventura flew out to left field but the runners each moved up a base when an errant throw by Bronco leftfielder Argelis Nunez. Mejia was intentionally walked and a subsequent walk to Casey Gordon allowed Dustin Smith to score. Edgar Soto relieved Bronco starter Dave Wasylak and got out the jam coercing a double play off the bat of Amadeo Zazueta.

Threatening again the in the 5th, the Coastal Bend offense broke through to put the game out of reach for good. The Thunder scored 4 times on 2 hits and 3 walks. Bronco reliever Edgar Soto walked in 2 runs in the inning as well as allowed the 3rd to score on his wild pitch. Bronco Manager Ricardo Cuevas went to his bullpen again bringing in Nathan Crawford. Crawford followed up his Bronco counterpart with a wild pitch of his own allowing Leivi Ventura to score.

Coastal Bend score 3 more runs in the bottom of the 7th making it a 12-2 ball game. Hits by Ventura, Gordon, and Ibarra did most of the damage with the 3rd run coming home on an error by Bronco shortstop Ryan Flynn.

Tomorrow is father’s day and the Thunder would to you to join us in your celebration as all fathers’ get into the ballpark for free.

Gametime is 6:05pm