PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Blows Late Lead in 6-3 Loss to I-Cubs

Published on July 18, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Leading by one with six outs left to record, the Round Rock Express (54-45) bullpen allowed four runs in the eighth inning as the Iowa Cubs (49-50) took the series opener 6-3 Thursday night at Dell Diamond.

A stellar outing by Alexi Ogando was wasted as the E-Train suffered its fourth straight loss to the Iowa Cubs in the first game back from the All-Star break.

The Express manufactured the first run of the game, bringing Leury Garcia around after the shortstop drew a leadoff walk. Following the free pass, Garcia swiped second and move to third on second baseman Greg Miclat's sacrifice bunt. Center fielder Jim Adduci knocked Garcia in with a single up the middle, putting Round Rock on top 1-0. The Express loaded the bases later in the inning but I-Cubs starter Guillermo Moscoso forced first baseman Chris McGuiness to foul out, ending the frame.

Round Rock built on its lead in the second when Miclat knocked in third baseman Mike Olt and Garcia with a two-run single, putting the Express ahead 3-0.

Ogando cruised through his outing, turning in four perfect innings before allowing a hit and a walk in the fifth but worked out of the jam to keep Iowa off the scoreboard.

The I-Cubs broke through one inning later, using a two-run shot off the bat of shortstop Donnie Murphy to climb within one at 3-2. The long ball would prove to be Ogando's lone blemish on the night.

After a scoreless seventh, Ogando's evening came to an end as the rehabbing right-hander logged 7.0 innings of work, allowing just two runs on three hits while throwing 80 pitches (49 strikes). Right-hander Josh Lindblom entered in the eighth for his second relief appearance of the season with the Express and first since April 4.

The Cubs mounted a rally off Lindblom, loading the bases before Murphy delivered his second blow of the night, a two-run double off the left-center wall to put Iowa in front 4-3. The I-Cubs weren't done as left fielder Ty Wright followed two pitches later with a two-run double of his own to push the lead to three. Lindblom eventually retired the side but with six outs of offense left, the Express faced a 6-3 deficit.

Iowa's bullpen retired the E-Train on six consecutive strikeouts over the final two frames to close out a 6-3 victory in the series opener. Lindblom (7-1) suffered the loss after allowing a season-high four runs while Yoanner Negrin (3-3) picked up the win in relief for Iowa.

The Express and I-Cubs continue a four-game set at Dell Diamond with game two Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Following the game, the Express will light up the Central Texas sky with post-game Budweiser Friday Fireworks. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 18, 2013


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