May 22, 2013
75
Games Today




Express Blanked by Albuquerque 2-0

June 5, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL) Round Rock Express

ROUND ROCK, Texas - John Ely struck out eight batters over six and two-thirds innings, leading the Albuquerque Isotopes to a 2-0 victory over the Round Rock Express in Tuesday night's series finale at The Dell Diamond. The Express (27-33) were shutout for just the second time this season, the other being a 4-0 loss April 18 against Omaha. The Isotopes (33-27) managed a series split with the win.

Ely (5-4) scattered five hits and a walk and retired the leadoff batter in each of the game's first seven innings. Round Rock's best threat came in the first inning when Luis Hernandez singled with one out and Ely walked Yangervis Solarte on four straight pitches. However, Ryan Spilborghs ground into a double play on the first pitch of his at bat, ending the inning.

The Express did not get two runners on base against Ely the rest of the night, managing a one-out Joey Butler single in the second, a two-out Brad Nelson double in the fourth, a two-out Solarte double in the sixth and a one-out Butler single in the seventh. Matt Kata and Hernandez had consecutive one-out singles in the eighth, but Scott Rice induced an inning-ending fielder's choice from Solarte. Josh Wall worked around a two-out Butler single in the ninth for his 12th save.

Albuquerque benefited from Express starter Zach Jackson's own defensive miscue for the game-winning run. With one out and runners at first and second, Jackson's pickoff throw to first sailed high and each runner advanced a base. Aaron Miles, who singled to open the frame, then scored from third on Jerry Sands' slow groundout to third.

The Isotopes added an insurance run in the eighth. Brian Cavazos-Galvez led off with a bunt single and later scored on Matt Angle's two-out single.

Jackson (2-6) was saddled with the tough-luck loss. He allowed only one unearned run on three hits and two walks over six innings with two strikeouts. Jackson has been hampered by poor run support this season as the Express averaged 3.45 runs in his 11 starts - more than a run-and-a-half fewer than any other Round Rock starter.

Butler finished 3-for-4, while Hernandez was 2-for-4. The Express stranded seven runners, going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Angle had the lone multiple-hit game for Albuquerque, going 2-for-3; he also was hit by a pitch.

Wednesday is the third of five league-wide off-days. Round Rock begins an seven-game road trip Thursday, opening a four-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb. Right-hander Roy Oswalt (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Express, while left-hander Ryan Verdugo (3-1, 3.61 ERA) is slated to go for the Storm Chasers.

• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us


Pacific Coast League Stories from June 5, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.