By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers pitcher Carlos Garza threw a complete-game shutout to give the Chargers a 1-0 win against the Brownsville Porter Cowboys and open District 32-5A play Tuesday night.
“It was good,” Garza said after striking out nine Cowboys batters. “I felt good, another win and I felt OK on the mound.”
Brownsville Porter looked likely to tie the game during the bottom of the seventh inning after Garza gave up a triple.
“It was just a hit,” Gaza said. “I was ready to come back and get the three outs.”
With one out and the runner on third, the Porter batter popped up his bunt. Brownsville Veterans junior Jason Villareal was alert, caught the bunt and threw out the runner.
“It was a heck of a game,” Chargers coach Adam Vera said. “Our pitcher was on, he battled, he was sore, but he battled through it. Their pitcher was on, and we were lucky enough to get one in the first. I told the guys that is all we needed.”
Brownsville Veterans’ run came during the top of the first inning, when first baseman Eloy Garcia’s dribbler was mishandled by Porter pitcher Omar Banda with the bases loaded, resulting in the run.
Banda settled down after the first inning and was dealing along with Garza. Both pitchers had strong defenses behind them on the night.
“We did not hit the ball, and that is the main concern right now,” Porter coach Oscar Cortez said. “Pitching-wise, we will be fine in the district. Only three hits is not going to win a game. For them it did, but we came out flat. Banda had a great game, but we need to fix some things.”
The teams will square off again Thursday.