PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Win in Extras at Omaha 9-8

Published on September 9, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


PAPILLION, Neb. - Chad Tracy and Joey Butler drove in three combined runs in the top of the 11th to push the Round Rock Express past the Omaha Storm Chasers 9-8 in Game 3 of the American Conference Championship Series. Omaha (2-1) holds a 2-1 advantage over the Express (1-2).

Matt Kata singled with one out to get on base, and scored on Tracy's RBI single to center field. Brad Nelson, who reached on a fielding error, scored along with Tracy on Butler's two-RBI single to give the Express a 9-6 lead. The two runs driven in by Butler would prove to be pivotal.

Three straight singles to lead off the bottom of the 11th plated one run and put runners on first and third with no outs. Following a pop-out to shortstop by Lance Zawadzki, Irving Falu drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to center field and bring the game within one run. Joaquin Arias struck out with a runner on first and two outs though to end the threat and give the Express the game.

Cody Eppley (1-0) pitched 2.0 innings, giving up two runs - both earned - on four hits while walking one and striking out one to get the win.

Zach Miner (0-1) got the loss, allowing three runs - all unearned - on five hits in 3.0 innings pitched.

The Express got on the board in the third inning. Robinzon Diaz singled to lead off the inning and scored on Kata's triple. Guilder Rodriguez and Nelson then walked bringing up Tracy with the bases loaded and no outs. Tracy drove the second pitch he saw over the right-field wall for a grand slam, giving the Express a 5-0 lead.

Omaha got on the board in the bottom of the frame, scoring one run on David Lough's RBI groundout. Kurt Mertins scored the run after doubling to lead off the inning.

The Express pushed the lead back to five runs in the fifth inning on Luis Cruz's RBI ground-rule double scoring Nelson. Joey Butler had to stop at third and did not score in the inning.

The Storm Chasers scored three runs in the sixth inning. After a Lorenzo Cain single, Kila Ka'aihue hit a two-run homer run to right bringing Omaha within three runs. They added one more in the inning on Manny Pina's single scoring Joaquin Arias. Arias doubled earlier in the inning.

Ka'aihue doubled to center field in the seventh inning, driving in Cain and Clint Robinson and tying the score 6-6.

Neil Ramirez started the game for the Express, going 5.0 innings and allowing one earned run on two hits, walking two and striking out five. He did not factor into the decision, leaving the game with the Express up 6-1.

Beau Jones allowed three earned runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning. Hankins relieved Jones, allowing two runs on one hits in 1.0 inning pitched.

Mike Montgomery allowed five runs - all earned - on six hits in 3.0 innings of work. He walked four, struck out three and did not factor into the decision.

The Express and Storm Chasers meet for Game 4 of the best-of-five series Saturday at 1:05 p.m. CDT. Righty Brett Tomko (9-6, 6.15 ERA) will take the mound for Round Rock, while right-hander Sean O'Sullivan (8-2, 4.22 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for Omaha.

Round Rock Express Baseball, owned and operated by Ryan Sanders Baseball, LP, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and a member of the Pacific Coast League.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 9, 2011


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