PCL1 Round Rock Express

E-Train Returns Favor by Blanking Storm Chasers, 5-0

Published on July 29, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Game two of the Round Rock Express (59-44) and Omaha Storm Chasers (59-46) series saw a role reversal as the E-Train picked up its 10th shutout of the season Wednesday night at Dell Diamond, 5-0. The Storm Chasers shutout the E-Train the night before, but Round Rock came out of the gates roaring and received a stellar performance from its pitching staff.

The Round Rock offense showed signs of amnesia by coming to life in the first inning thanks to a lead-off double from SS Hanser Alberto. 3B Tyler Pastornicky popped out to release the pressure on Omaha starter Buddy Baumann, but RF Ryan Strausborger quickly applied it again by extending his hit streak to 12 games with a RBI double that brought Alberto home with ease. Baumann converted back-to-back strikeouts to end the opening chapter.

Express CF Jared Hoying made his way to first after being plunked by a Baumann pitch to start the bottom of the third, summoning Alberto to the plate with one on and no outs. Alberto floated a single to Omaha 2B Gabriel Noriega that spurred a throwing error by the Storm Chasers second baseman, advancing Alberto to second and placed Hoying 90 feet from home. Another error from Omaha saw Pastornicky reach first and load the bases for Strausborger. The Round Rock right fielder popped out to Omaha SS Orlando Calixte to halt the momentum, but Baumann inflicted the damage to himself by hitting 1B Ed Lucas with a pitch to bring in the second Express run of the night. Baumann's night came

The lead swelled for Round Rock in the bottom of the fourth courtesy of a solo blast from DH Michael Choice, giving him his ninth of the season and extending the Express lead to 3-0.

E-Train starter Jerad Eickhoff held the Storm Chasers to two hits during his five shutout innings of work, collecting three strikeouts in the process. Eickhoff (9-4, 4.25) received even more run support in the bottom of the fifth as Lucas plugged a RBI triple into the right field gap and trotted his way home on another Omaha throwing error that saw the ball go into the seats, augmenting the Round Rock lead to 5-0.

RHP Stolmy Pimentel took over for Eickhoff in the top of the sixth and kept the shutout bid intact by blanking the Storm Chasers in the sixth and seventh innings. Southpaw Jimmy Reyes took the helm to start the eighth and tossed a silent inning of labor to set the table for RHP Luke Jackson in the ninth. A one-out fielding error prolonged the contest, but Jackson crafted a fly out and ground out to solidify win number 59.

The Express and Storm Chasers continue the series tomorrow night with the E-Train pitcher still to be determined and Omaha RHP Clayton Mortensen (6-8, 5.94) representing the Storm Chasers. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

For tickets and more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Follow the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 29, 2015


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