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PCL1 Round Rock Express

Albuquerque Isotopes Powers Past Express

April 26, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - In an early battle for first place in the American Southern Division, the Albuquerque Isotopes (11-9) used hot bats to knock off the Round Rock Express (11-10) Thursday night, 10-5.

The E-Train and "˜Topes entered Thursday night's game separated by just 0.5 game in the divisional standings as the two squads opened their first of 16 meetings in 2013.

After being shutout for the first time on Tuesday, the Express wasted little time getting on the scoreboard against the Isotopes, scoring its 18th and 19th first inning runs of the season. Center fielder Engel Beltre doubled down the left field line in his first at-bat, extending his hitting streak to eight games. Shortstop Jurickson Profar followed with a walk and both runners moved up when Albuquerque starter Blake Johnson uncorked his first wild pitch of the season. With runners on second and third and no outs, right fielder Jim Adduci pushed the first run across the plate on a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Beltre from third. After a ground out by left fielder Joey Butler, first baseman Robinson Chirinos delivered with a double into the right-center gap to give the E-Train a 2-0 lead and extending his hitting streak to a season-high five games.

The "˜Topes got one run back in the top of the second after right fielder Chili Buss and designated hitter Matt Angle consecutively singled with one out to put runners on first and second. The two pulled off a double steal as catcher Jesus Flores struck out. On the throw to third, the ball fell out of third baseman Yangervis Solarte's glove allowing Buss to cross the plate.

In the third inning, Albuquerque shortstop Dee Gordon put his wheels in motion after singling to center to lead off the inning. Gordon stole second and then third, but the Express were able to record two outs within that span, giving Express starter Collin Balester an opportunity to escape the inning. Gordon did not need his speed once first baseman Scott Van Slyke stepped to the plate as he belted his league-leading eighth home run of the season onto the left field berm, putting the Isotopes up 3-2.

Round Rock battled back using small ball to retake the lead in the fifth. After catcher Eli Whiteside doubled to lead off the inning, second baseman Greg Miclat attempted to sacrifice himself to get Whiteside to third, but Johnson fielded the bunt and threw to third thinking Whiteside was attempting to advance. The catcher dropped anchor at second and Johnson's throw sailed into left field, allowing Miclat to reach on what was ruled a single. Beltre moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt setting up shortstop Jurickson Profar with one out. Van Slyke fielded Profar's grounder to first and threw home but Whiteside had the right slide and beat the play with a head-first dive, sneaking his left hand past a sprawling tag by Flores. With a runner on third and less than two outs, Adduci again got the job done, flying out to center for the second time but plating Miclat to give the Express a one-run lead.

The "˜Topes did not trail for long as Albuquerque quickly jumped back into the driver's seat in the top of the sixth. Left fielder Alex Castellanos singled to lead off the inning and, following a single by Van Slyke and a walk to right fielder Chili Buss, Albuquerque loaded the bases with no outs. Angle then singled in Castellanos and Van Slyke to give the Isotopes a 5-4 lead.

That would be all for Express starter Collin Balester as he was lifted for reliever Johan Yan with runners on first and third and no outs. Yan limited the damage, allowing just one run to score while registering two punch outs, but the Express trailed 6-4.

The E-Train cut the Albuquerque lead in half in the bottom of the seventh when Whiteside led off with a solo shot into the Round Rock bullpen, making the game 6-5.

Albuquerque put three more on the board in the top of the eighth, extending its lead to 9-5. With the bases loaded and two outs, manager Bobby Jones called upon right-hander Evan Meek out of the Express bullpen to replace southpaw Richard Bleier. Bleier had loaded the bases but struck out Tony Gwynn Jr. for the second out of the inning before being removed from the game. Meek and third baseman Brian Barden became locked in an extended battle at the plate but Barden came out on top, clearing the bases when he lined the seventh pitch of the at-bat into the left-center gap, putting the "˜Topes ahead 9-5.

Albuquerque tacked on another run in the top of the ninth on a solo shot from Castellanos for a five-run cushion that proved to be enough for its 11th victory.

Johnson earned the win, improving to 2-1 while Balester suffered his third consecutive loss, dropping to 1-3 on the season.

The Express continues its eight-game homestand with game two against the Isotopes Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Round Rock will pay tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing before the game and during the seventh inning. For tickets and more information, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

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