Colts' Hanson rips the Aces (26 June 2006)

BLOGGER'S NOTE: I was asked to fill in and cover a San Angelo Colts game. I hadn't written a serious (see my other blog for details on what I'm talking about...SWC) gamer in almost a year, but it was like riding a bike.

I love baseball and I love covering it.

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By JOE RUIZ
jruiz@sastandardtimes.com or 659-8262

San Angelo Colts manager Doc Edwards might have his No. 1 starter.

Colts starter Adam Hanson (4-3) gave up five hits and struck out six Alexandria Aces over seven innings in the Colts' 4-2 victory Sunday at Foster Field.

The recently acquired Hanson bounced back after Tuesday's loss to Edinburg with the help of some defense behind him and a little advice from pitching coach Papo Davila.

''He had a couple of spots where he was dropping his arm and throwing underneath the ball, but as soon as Papo talked to him, he got his arm up, got his location and did a great job for us,'' Edwards said.

One of the reasons Edwards picked up Hanson on June 11 in a trade with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings was his ability to be the ace the Colts' skipper needs.

''Having a guy from the Cleveland (Indians) organization was right up my alley because I know how he was taught,'' Edwards said.

Edwards was the manager of the Indians from 1987-89.

Hanson worked through a trouble spot in the second after he allowed a leadoff walk to Aces first baseman and hitting coach Josh Tranum. After retiring designated hitter Adam Bonner, an error allowed third baseman Richard Paz to drive in the Aces first run of the game.

''They got a couple of guys on early, but if they were going to beat me, they were going to do it with a bunch of groundball hits in a row,'' Hanson said. ''In the second and third inning when they got a chance to score, they did.''

The Colts and Aces traded a single run each over the second and third innings, but a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth allowed Hanson a cushion for the rest of his night.

Hanson's insurance runs came from eight Colts batters in the fourth. The first two batters of the inning, shortstop Matt Guiliano and centerfielder Tyrone Pendergrass, reached on a walk and single to left. Guiliano scored from third on right fielder J.J. Sherrill's sacrifice fly to left. The Colts scored on the next at-bat as second baseman John Anderson hit a single down the right field line to score Pendergrass and the last run the Colts needed.

Aces starting pitcher Fontella Jones (5-1) issued eight walks and gave up four runs on seven hits over his five innings of work to get saddled with his first loss of the season.

The Aces did give the 1,202 in attendance a scare in the top of the eighth.

After dispatching with leadoff hitter Trey Beamon, Colts reliever Jed Jensen gave up two consecutive singles to give the Aces runners on the corners with one out. A line drive off the bat of shortstop Luis Guance's bat went straight at Anderson, who made a quick toss to Guiliano that doubled-up Aces designated hitter Matt Bonner at second base to end the threat.

Colts closer Brantley Jordan earned his seventh save of the season with a one 2-3 ninth.

With the win, the Colts completed the series sweep of the Aces.