Gonzalez comes off bench to lead Roadrunners

EDINBURG – If this is the last season of Eric Gonzalez’s career, he added a few more memories to take into retirement in the Roadrunners’ 6-2 win over Amarillo on Tuesday night.

Gonzalez, who spoke openly Tuesday night about 2009 being his final year, did not start but replaced second baseman Sergio Guerrero after Guerrero was ejected in the second inning. But it was his efforts, plus six runs in the final three innings and a strong start by new Edinburg pitcher Jose Oyervidez (7 innings, 2 runs, 0 earned) that pushed the Roadrunners to within one win of the ULB Championship Series, a win they can earn tonight.

In the seventh with the bases loaded and the game tied at 2, Gonzalez chopped a single over Amarillo third baseman Andrew Wong to drive in two runs to give the
Roadrunners their first lead. Then in the top of the ninth with the bases loaded and no outs with Edinburg holding a 6-2 lead, Gonzalez (playing third base), fielded a sharp grounder by Stanton Smith, stepped on third for the force then threw home where Brian Bueno was tagged out for an unconventional double play, helping to kill the Dillas’ rally.

“That was a good thing. That’s what Eric’s here for,” Roadrunners manager Vince Moore said. “He’s one of my guys that when he’s called upon, hopefully he can go out there and do the job. Tonight he was called upon early, didn’t expect it, but he was able to get the job done for us.”

Nursing an injury to his left leg, Gonzalez (by his own admission) had his worst season with Edinburg. He hit .228 with only 3 home runs and became a part-time player.

But on Tuesday, he erased what had been a frustrating year and helped Edinburg get one win closer to a ULB title.

“I’m pumped right now. The postseason is a different season,” Gonzalez said. “My numbers in the regular season, they don’t make a difference. I’m a new player and it’s a new season.”

EXTRA BASES: Outfielder Robert Matlock on Monday was named the Roadrunners MVP and Offensive Player of the Year while Tim Haines was selected the Pitcher of the Year. Matlock hit .327 with no home runs but 33 RBIs, and Haines was 9-4 with a 2.40 ERA. … Haines will start tonight for Edinburg against Amarillo’s Ralph Roberts.

Brian Sandalow covers the Edinburg Roadrunners for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.