Correction: Hoying's Grand Slam Powers Round Rock Express Past Iowa Cubs
April 7, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
DES MOINES, Iowa - A Jared Hoying grand slam put an exclamation mark on a 5-run third inning for the Round Rock Express (1-0), powering the team past the Iowa Cubs (0-1) by a final score of 7-3. The victory gave the team their second Opening Day road victory in as many seasons.
Starter Nick Martinez finished one out shy of qualifying for the win, allowing reliever Chad Smith to pick up his first victory in an Express uniform. Martinez exited the game with two outs in the fifth inning after back-to-back runs cut the Cubs' deficit to four. He finished the day allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits while walking two and striking out two.
Smith then entered the game in relief, allowing a single to 3B Kristopher Negron before retiring the final seven batters he faced. The righty picked up the win, after allowing just one hit while recording two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Alex Claudio closed the door, giving up a lone hit to go along with a walk and two strikeouts over the final two innings of the contest.
The Express wasted no time setting off fireworks in the 2016 season. CF James Jones slapped the third pitch of the game into left field for a single. He then swiped second before a Jurickson Profar single scored the speedy outfielder easily. A Joey Gallo sacrifice fly two batters later drove Profar home, giving the Express a 2-0 lead before the Cubs even had a chance to bat.
Iowa scored their first run the contest in the second inning after a throwing error by Gallo allowed CF Albert Almora Jr. to reach first safely. A Negron single followed by a Juan Perez force out scored Almora, cutting the Round Rock lead to 2-1.
The game then turned on its head in the third inning with one swing of the bat. Jones doubled with one out before Profar drew a walk. A Nomar Mazara single allowed Jones to score, setting up runners at the corners for Gallo. In a move that proved to be costly for Ryan Williams' ERA, the righty intentionally walked Gallo, ultimately loading the bases for Hoying. The veteran Express outfielder barreled the first pitch he saw over the right field wall, a grand slam that marked the team's first home run of the season. Hoying finished the game 2-3 with a walk and four RBI.
In his first game donning an Express uniform since 2013, Profar recorded two hits in three at bats, drawing two walks and scoring two runs. Jones ended his Opening Day 2-5 with two strikeouts and two runs scored. C Brett Nicholas recorded his first hit of the season, finishing the game 1-3 with a strikeout.
A walk, hit batsman and two singles added up to two additional Iowa runs in the bottom of the 5th inning, eventually ending the day for Martinez. The Cubs finished the day with nine total hits, including just two over the final four innings.
First pitch of game two of the season-opening series is set for tomorrow at 7:08 p.m. from Principal Park in Des Moines. Express lefty Cesar Ramos is projected to take the hill opposite Cubs righty Stephen Fife.
After their four-game set in Iowa, Round Rock will travel west for a four-game set against the Omaha Storm Chasers before returning home to host Opening Day festivities at Dell Diamond on Friday, April 15. The home opener will include a ceremonial first pitch from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a schedule magnet giveaway, postgame Bud Light Friday Fireworks and much more.
Single game tickets are on sale now. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
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