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EDINBURG, TX -- The Edinburg Roadrunners had the tying run at third but the late rally short as they lost 6-5 to the Laredo Broncos Wednesday night at Edinburg Baseball Stadium tying the best-of-three series at one game apiece.  

The Broncos (1-1) got on the board quickly against Wardell Starling (0-1) in the top of the first.  Back-to-back singles by Jason Diaz and Jonel Pacheco started the inning.  After a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third, D.J. Dixon hit a sacrifice fly to center allowing Diaz to score but the throw to third got away and allowed Pacheco to score making it 2-0 Laredo.

The Roadrunners (1-1) answered back in the bottom of the second against starter Juan Peralta (1-0).  Wilson Batista led off with a single to left field and Ambiorix Concepcion followed with a walk.  Two outs later, Robert Matlock walked to load the bases for Wilmer Pino who followed with a two-run double tying the game at two.

In the top of the fourth, Laredo sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs on three hits and took a 6-2 advantage.

That is all the Roadrunners bullpen would allow as Ricardo Serrano, Aaron Guerra and Mark DiBernardo combined to pitch five and a third innings of scoreless baseball.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Felix Molina hit a two-run double that allowed Matlock and Pino to score cutting the Broncos lead 6-4.

In the bottom of the ninth, Pino led off with a single and then stole second base.  Back-to-back walks to Molina and Nelson Teilon loaded the bases for Daryl Jones who hit an RBI fielder’s choice allowing Pino to score.  After a sacrifice bunt by Wilson Batista, Reyes Dorado got Concepcion to ground out to the shortstop leaving the tying run at third and giving Laredo the 6-5 victory.

The Roadrunners and Broncos will play the final game of the best-of-three series Thursday night at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.  Eric Montoya (0-0) will face Santo Hernandez (0-0) with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The winner of game three will get the chance to play the Amarillo Dillas in the Unite League Baseball Finals.