PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express blasts Albuquerque in series opener

Published on July 20, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK - Riding a four-game winning streak and carrying the best record in the Pacific Coast League's American Southern Division into Monday's series opener against the Express, the Albuquerque Isotopes ran into a rallying Express team.

After sandwiching four losses around the all-star break, Round Rock has now won three straight - including a 9-2 victory Monday - to pull within 11 games of .500.

Houston Astros reliever Doug Brocail worked a scoreless eighth inning in his first rehab appearance since going on the disabled list with a hamstring strain on May 4 and Brian Bogusevic combined with Tommy Manzella and Yordany Ramirez to give the Express more than enough power to boost past Albuquerque.

Brocail used 14 pitches - nine of them strikes - to retire three straight hitters in the eighth, including a strikeout.

Bogusevic went 3-for-5 with his sixth home run, Manzella blasted his third homer in five games and Ramirez took the team-lead with his 10th longball of the season as Round Rock moved to 42-53 in the series opener with the Isotopes.

The two meet again Tuesday for a double-header that includes a 5:30 p.m. first-pitch in the continuation of a suspended game from June 11.

Express starter Yorman Bazardo (8-4) tossed seven strong frames, allowing one run on four walks and four strikeouts. He allowed just three hits through the first six innings of play and trimmed his season ERA to 2.92.

Hitless in 14 prior at-bats against Albuquerque heading into Monday's series opener, Bogusevic picked up a two-out single in the bottom of the first and roped a three-run homer on a 3-1 delivery from J.D. Durbin in the third.

Durbin (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits, three strikeouts and two walks in his first Triple-A start of the season.

The 3-0 lead held until the top of the seventh when A.J. Ellis punched a one-out single through the right side and moved to second on a wild pitch from Bazardo - his third of the season.

Ellis moved to third on a ground out before Tony Abreu cut the lead to 3-1 with an RBI-double to left field.

But Manzella padded the Round Rock lead, crushing a one-out offering from reliever Marlon Arias into the lower level of the Home Run Porch in left field that scored Reggie Abercrombie (walk) and made it 5-1.

Ramirez followed up in the eighth with a three-run shot onto the left field berm after Brian Esposito's RBI single to third.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 20, 2009


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