Guerra, bullpen lift Coyotes

EDINBURG -- If starter Aaron Guerra had been taken out during the top of the sixth inning the Edinburg Coyotes' 5-1 win over San Angelo, he would have already given their pitching staff a boost.

He had allowed only run on five hits and was holding a three-run lead, just one day after the Coyotes' staff had been rocked for 13 runs and 14 hits. But after Guerra allowed a leadoff single, manager Vince Moore walked out to the mound to ask if his starter needed to be lifted.

Instead of leaving, Guerra convinced Moore to allow him to stay in the game. And, fittingly, Guerra got Colts third baseman Jason Crosland to bounce into a double play.

"It wasn't a hard decision. I basically go on how the pitcher feels, especially if he's doing well because it is early and it is his first start," Moore said. "He's been throwing all winter, but we tend to want to monitor guys' pitch counts early in the season. And I asked him how he felt and he said he could go one more and he got it done."

Guerra did finish the inning, preserving his five-hit, one-run outing before leaving. Like Moore, he recognized that the Coyotes needed their pitching to have a better day than Tuesday.

"No matter what, we had to win today," Guerra said. "It felt good to go out there and produce for my team."

Guerra also had to feel good watching the Edinburg bullpen protect the lead. Over the final three innings, relievers Bryan Heaston, Adam Clay and Julio Castro combined to allow no hits and strike out three batters.

"I'm not really worried about my bullpen. I'm not worried about my staff, period," Moore said. "It's just all about the roles that I want to put these guys in."

FOUL TIPS: Colts shortstop Charley Belew was hit in the right leg in the top of the fifth by a line drive hit into the dugout by San Angelo right fielder Bryan Frichter. Belew stayed in the game and lined out to end the inning. ... The Coyotes and Colts wrap their three-game series tonight at 7:05 in the season's first night game. There will also be a fireworks show after the contest.

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Brian Sandalow covers the Edinburg Coyotes for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436. For this and more local stories, visit www.themonitor.com.

Wednesday's United League Linescore

COYOTES 5, COLTS 1

SAA 000 010 000 - 1 5 0

EDB 000 401 00X - 5 9 1

James, Mulle (4), Robinson (7), King (8) and Diggs; Guerra, Heaston (7), Clay (8), Castro (9) and Arrowood. W - Guerra (1-0). L - James (0-1). Sv - None. HRs - Edinburg, Gonzalez (1).