The Santa Fe Fuego (11-7) refused to relinquish the lead after grabbing it early against the Las Cruces Vaqueros (5-16), recording a 17-4 victory on Wednesday at Joe Bauman Park.

With nine runs in the first three innings, the Santa Fe Fuego left no doubt about the eventual outcome. An RBI single by Eddie Newton, an RBI single by Newton, and a two-run home run by Chevas Numata during the first inning and an RBI single by Martin Guevara, an RBI single by Matt Patrone, and an RBI double by Newton in the second inning supplied the early offense for the Santa Fe Fuego.

Even in defeat, Miguel Castano played well for the Las Cruces Vaqueros.

Castano boosted his batting average thanks to a perfect 3-3 day at the plate to pace the Las Cruces Vaqueros. He homered in the eighth inning and singled in the fourth and eighth innings.

Castano pitched lights out for the Las Cruces Vaqueros. Castano held the Santa Fe Fuego hitless over two-thirds of an inning, allowed no earned runs, walked one and struck out one.

David Brandt racked up four RBIs on three hits for the Santa Fe Fuego. He singled in the third and eighth innings.

Alex Teal improved to 1-0 on the year by picking up the win for the Santa Fe Fuego. He allowed four runs over seven innings. Teal struck out six, walked four and gave up six hits.

Kellen Quintana (0-3) was the games losing pitcher. He allowed six runs in 1 2/3 innings, walked none and struck out none.