Sports stats



PCL1 Round Rock Express

Colorado Springs Outlasts Round Rock 3-2 in 14 Innings

June 28, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The 14th inning hasn't been kind to the Round Rock Express (40-37) in 2016. The E-Train fell to 0-2 in 14-inning games at Dell Diamond this season after the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (37-38) survived to claim a 3-2 decision early Tuesday morning in a contest that took exactly five hours to complete.

In a battle of the bullpens, RHP Ariel Pena (2-2, 8.35) collected the win after tossing two scoreless innings of relief. The righty didn't allow a base hit and walked just one while dominating the 13th and 14th frames. In his Triple-A debut, RHP Jose Valdespina (0-1, 3.00) suffered the loss by virtue of allowing the go-ahead run in the top of the 14th. Valdespina, who was promoted from the AA Frisco RoughRiders on Monday afternoon, surrendered three hits over three innings of work while striking out one.

Express starter RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx took a no decision in the contest despite putting together his best performance of the season in a Round Rock uniform. The righty went six innings deep, shutting out the Sky Sox on just three hits and a walk while striking out three. Bibens-Dirkx retired the side in order in four of his six frames. The only blemishes on his resume were a leadoff double followed by a two-out walk in the first and a pair of one-out singles in the fifth.

Round Rock finally broke through in the seventh inning as CF Delino DeSheilds drew a one-out walk before stealing second then third base on consecutive pitches. A double off the bat of SS Hanser Alberto that squeezed between Sky Sox 1B Garin Cecchini and the foul line allowed DeShields to trot home for the game's opening run.

Colorado Springs responded almost immediately as 2B Nate Orf blasted a leadoff home run to open the top of the eighth inning, knotting the game at one.

E-Train reliever RHP Justin DeFratus escaped a major jam in the top of the 12th inning. After allowing a leadoff walk to DH Andy Wilkins, 3B Will Middlebrooks followed up with a single. A sacrifice bunt courtesy of Cecchini moved both baserunners 90 feet closer to home.

Following a strikeout of C Josmil Pinto, a bizarre play ultimately resulted in the final out of the inning being recorded at the plate. Orf laid down a picture perfect bunt that DeFratus mishandled along the third base line. With two outs in the frame, Middlebrooks was well on his way to third base before DeFratus could recover the ball. The pitcher then tossed to Alberto, who had shifted to cover second base. Middlebrooks beat Alberto to the bag while Wilkins attempted a mad dash home. Alberto then rocketed the ball across the infield to C Patrick Cantwell, who tagged a leaping Wilkins out in a wild play at the plate.

In the very next inning, Valdespina emerged from the Express bullpen. The righty allowed a leadoff single to RF Eric Young, Jr. before a sacrifice bunt from LF Kyle Wren moved his fellow outfielder to third. In the next at-bat, CF Michael Reed laid down yet another bunt attempt. Alberto charged in on the offering and misplayed the ball, resulting in a fielding error that allowed Young to sprint home from third to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

DeShields then opened the bottom of the 12th with a walk before advancing to second on a wild pitch and taking third on an error by Pinto. A bunt from Alberto brought DeShields flying home, barely avoiding the tag from Pinto as the speedy outfielder tied the game in a cloud of dust.

Colorado Springs struck again in the top of the 14th inning. Valdespina hit Orf to put the go-ahead run on board with one out in the frame. Young then singled, pushing the speedy Orf to third base. In the next at-bat, Wren lined a single just over the reach of 3B Drew Robinson, allowing Orf to trot home, giving Colorado Springs a 3-2 lead. The E-Train went quietly in the bottom of the frame, sealing the team's second 14-inning home defeat of the year.

The Express and Sky Sox conclude their four-game series on Tuesday night. RHP Kyle Lohse (3-4, 5.52) is scheduled to get the start for Round Rock while Colorado Springs is planning to send RHP Jorge Lopez (1-5, 6.05) to the mound. First pitch at Dell Diamond is set for 7:05 p.m.

Single game tickets are available along with season ticket packages and group discounts. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255.

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 28, 2016


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.

Other Recent Round Rock Express Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central