PCL1 Round Rock Express

Six-run first inning too much for E-Train to overcome

Published on April 28, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - Starter Neil Ramirez allowed six runs in only one inning of work and the offense never caught up as the Express fell to Oklahoma City 11-5 in Saturday night's Pacific Coast League action at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Express (10-13) pitchers allowed 17 hits in the game. The RedHawks (15-8) lead the series 2-1.

The RedHawks got it going early in the first inning as J.B. Shuck singled to lead off the game. The next four batters reached safely including Fernando Martinez who singled to drive in Shuck, and Scott Moore who doubled to score Angel Sanchez and Martinez. After getting Brett Wallace to ground out, Ramirez walked Justin Ruggiano then struck out Brad Snyder. Then Jimmy Paredes deposited a Ramirez pitch into the right field bleachers for a three-run homer to make it 6-0. Ramirez would allow another walk and a double before he got Angel Sanchez to ground out to end the inning.

Paul Clements (2-1) picked up the win for the RedHawks. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on two walks and three strikeouts.

Ramirez (2-2) earned the loss for the Express. He allowed six runs on five hits and three walks and struck out two in just one inning of work. It was his shortest start in 23 Triple-A starts. Of his 55 pitches, just 25 were thrown for strikes.

The Express tried to chip away at the early RedHawks lead with a two-run third inning. Leonys Martin led off with a walk and Luis Hernandez followed with his second home run of the season to make it 6-2. However, Oklahoma City added another run in the fourth and exploded for four more in the fifth off Express reliever Ben Snyder.

The E-Train made one more push with a three-run eighth inning. Martin led off with a double and scored on consecutive ground outs by Hernandez and Matt Kata. Brad Nelson and Yangervis Solarte followed with two two-out singles and Joey Butler drove them home with a double to left to make it 11-5.

Shuck was a table-setter for Oklahoma City all evening. He went 5-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI. The RedHawks had six players with multiple hits. Martinez, Moore and Paredes each picked up three RBI.

The top six hitters went 10-for-16 for the Express with all five runs and all five RBI. Hernandez led the way with a pair of hits and a pair of RBI including a home run. Martin, Nelson and Butler each added two hits as well.

Round Rock and Oklahoma City conclude their four-game series Sunday with a 2:05 p.m. CDT first pitch. Right-hander Greg Reynolds (1-3, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to start as the Express try to salvage a split. The RedHawks will counter with left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-1, 1.67 ERA).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 28, 2012


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