Express Beat Fog, Sky Sox in Series Opener
April 21, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (5-12) dropped five runs in the seventh inning to knock off the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (11-5) by a final score of 6-1 on Saturday night. The game featured the first-ever fog delay in the 19-year history of Dell Diamond as low clouds created unplayable conditions for 30 minutes.
E-Train reliever RHP Tayler Scott (2-0, 4.05) picked up the win after holding the Sky Sox scoreless in 0.2 innings of relief. On the losing side, Colorado Springs RHP Erik Davis surrendered five runs on four hits in 1.2 innings.
Both teams' starting pitchers put up strong performances as Express RHP David Ledbetter allowed just one run on five hits in 6.1 innings. Sky Sox RHP Brandon Woodruff limited the E-Train to one run on three hits in 5.0 innings while tallying seven strikeouts.
Colorado Springs grabbed the first lead of the game in the top of the third. 2B Nate Orf worked a leadoff walk, then advanced to second on a balk. Following a Shane Opitz single, CF Keon Broxton grounded into a fielder's choice that eliminated Opitz at second base but left enough time for Orf to score from third.
Round Rock leveled the game in the fifth as 2B Christian Lopes doubled prior to a Jose Cardona single. Following a Scott Heineman walk that loaded the bases, Sky Sox RHP Erik Davis entered in relief. Davis' first pitch of the game hit 1B Tommy Joseph, forcing in a run to tie the game at 1-1.
The E-Train erupted for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to blow the game wide open. The inning started with three straight singles by C Cameron Rupp, 3B Nick Noonan and SS Hanser Alberto that loaded the bases for Lopes. The infielder delivered a clutch two-run double that gave Round Rock a 3-1 edge. In the next at-bat, Cardona collected his first home run of the season, a three-run blast that put the Express up 6-1.
Dense fog rolled in during the first at-bat of the eighth inning, resulting in the delay. After 30 minutes, strong winds cleared the fog and the game resumed. E-Train RHP Brandon Mann and RHP Nick Gardewine teamed up for two scoreless innings of relief to preserve the win.
Round Rock and Colorado Springs meet again on Sunday afternoon. Express LHP Yohander Mendez (0-3, 7.20) is set to face Sky Sox RHP Bubba Derby (0-0, 3.21). First pitch at Dell Diamond is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
For more information on the Express, visit RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
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