6/12/2081 to 6/14/2081
The Denver Broncos (31-33)
AT
The Washington Senators (38-26)
Pitching Matchups:
RH Larry Waltz (0-0, 4.91 ERA) VS. RH Robert Penney (7-3, 3.89 ERA)
RH Tony Rivera (3-4, 5.74 ERA) VS. RH Andrew Barnes (6-5, 6.98 ERA)
LH Robert McNett (6-4, 4.80 ERA) VS. RH Otis Smith (2-4, 7.13 ERA)
Making a surprise start in place of
Arden Hawthorn was
Larry Waltz, who had made a few relief appearances so far this season after being promoted following the
Florian Blanco trade. The Broncos grabbed the early lead, 1-0, in the top of the first. It didn't last long. The Senators scored 2 in the bottom of the first to take the lead. They added to the lead with a three run 4th inning, and that concluded the scoring for the game with the
Senators winning, 5-1.
Waltz was serviceable in the start, going 7 innings with the 5 runs allowed, though only 3 of the runs were earned. He struck out five and surrendered a pair of homers. Unfortunately, after recording his final out, he felt a twinge in his elbow. It's not a serious injury, but he will go on the disabled list. Replacing him is 26 year old right-hander
Valentine McGurk. McGurk is 4-2 with a 5.28 ERA, and 95 K's in 73 1/3 innings pitched at AAA this season.
Russell Thomas had three hits and scored Denver's only run in the loss.
******
The second game did not begin well.
Steven Patterson hit a grand slam in the first inning for the Senators to stake them to the early lead. The Broncos rallied with a 4 run fourth inning, highlighted by a 2 run triple by
Michael Stennis. In the fifth inning,
Tomas Sato hit a two run homer to give the Broncos the 6-4 lead. They would stretch that lead to 9-4, which seemed safe. Then
Ramon Gomez got into the game. Gomez entered in the 8th inning to face the Senators' "murderer's row" of left-handed hitters:
Manuel Madrid,
Leon Pino,
Christian Zarzuela, and Patterson. Gomez was fine in the 8th inning, and then remained in the game in the ninth to finish it off. A couple of batters later,
Eugene Pantoja ripped a three run homer. Gomez was immediately replaced by
Steven Andrade, who finished off the
9-7 victory.
Sato had three hits, three RBI, and three runs scored. Stennis had 2 hits and 2 RBI.
Tony Rivera pitched seven innings and allowed 4 runs.
******
Robert McNett allowed only one run in the first five innings of the third game of the series, then ran out of gas and gave up 2 in the sixth and three more in the 7th inning, as the
Broncos lost 6-3.
Russell Thomas managed 4 hits in the losing cause.