HARLINGEN — Aside from a pair of runs that included one that came off a solo home run by Daniel Anciso, the Harlingen Cardinals’ offense was held in check.
A big reason why was Brownsville Lopez pitcher Sabas Lopez, who gave up just four hits while striking out nine batters as the Lobos handed the Cardinals an 8-2 loss.
While both teams are out of the playoff chase, the Lobos look at Friday night as a step toward the future.
“We knew we had this in us after falling to Hanna and San Benito in games which we gave up leads. We wanted to get a win so bad,” Lobos’ head coach Victor Martinez said. “I’m just proud of my guys because they came out, hit the ball well and took care of the lead.”
For the younger Lobos, it was a chance to get some playing time in.
“Tonight I put different kids in different spots and they did well. A ball game like this means a lot to them because they are hungry and they wanted to get some starts,” Martinez said.
As for the young Cards, their struggles continue as they dropped their fifth straight, but will have one more chance to finish the season strong as they face the playoff-bound Harlingen South Hawks on Tuesday night in the District 32-6A regular season finale.
Friday night, the Cards could not slow the Lobos’ offense, which came out and put up two runs in each of the first two innings off of a pair of RBI doubles from Chuy Rodriguez and Marky Ordonez.
The Lobos added two more runs in the fourth inning for a 6-0 lead. In the top of the fifth, the Lobos added their final two runs on a Robert Gomez RBI single and a sac fly from Rodriguez.
Harlingen’s defense did, however, field well at times Friday.
The Lobos ended up with 12 runners being stranded on base for the on the night.
Still, the offense was never there for Harlingen, whose best inning was the final one.
In the bottom of the seventh, Anciso came on and belted a solo homer to deep left field for the Cardinals’ first score and third hit of the game off the fatigued arm of Lobos’ pitcher Lopez.
A little later, Matt Resendez brought in Cody Garcia on an RBI double for the Cards to make the score 8-2.
Lopez still picked up the win for the Lobos and pitched six scoreless innings in the process, while Chris Diaz took the loss on the mound for Harlingen, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs.