’Wings beat Colts in front of largest crowd of season

Special to the NEWS

HARLINGEN – In front of a season-high 3,752 fans, the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings beat the San Angelo Colts 12-7 on Monday at Harlingen Field.

The Colts (22-14) recorded singles in each of their first three at-bats of the game against Eric Blackwell (2-2), capped off by an RBI-single by Daryl Jones to make it 1-0.

The WhiteWings (21-16) opened the bottom of the first with four-straight hits (two singles and two doubles) against Brian Henschel (2-5) to score three runs and put Leivi Ventura at second base. After moving to third on a fly ball, Ventura scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

Wilmer Pino launched his third homerun of the season to give the WhiteWings a 5-1 lead in the second inning. Pino finished a triple short of the cycle.

The Colts got one back in the top of the third on an RBI-groundout by Landon Camp to make it 5-2.

Danny Hernandez led off the top of the fourth with a double. One out later, Ronnie Gaines hit an RBI-single. Gaines stole second and moved to third on an error before scoring on an RBI-single by Jones to make it 5-4.

The WhiteWings answered back in the bottom of the inning. Jonathan Fernandez led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Brandon Decker reached on an RBI-fielder’s choice, and after Francisco Santana singled, Wilmer Pino hit a two-run single to make it 8-4.

The Colts scored three runs in the top of the sixth. With two on and one out, Cory Patton hit a two-run double and later scored on an error to make it 8-7.

The WhiteWings batted around in the bottom of the inning while scoring four runs to take a 12-7 lead. With runners at second and third and one out, David Peralta hit an RBI-groundout, Ventura hit an RBI-single, Gerardo Avila hit an RBI-double and Eric Gonzalez hit an RBI-single.

The WhiteWings and Colts were scheduled to play a double-header of seven-inning games on Twofer Tuesday. Right-handers Luis Chirinos (2-1, 1.65) and Andy Wells (2-1, 6.82) were expected to pitch for the WhiteWings.

To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the July 6 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.