PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Clip Redbirds 5-3

August 28, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (62-72) held the Memphis Redbirds (80-54) to just four hits in Tuesday night's series opener at Dell Diamond, cruising to a 5-3 win for their third straight victory.

Round Rock reliever RHP Tayler Scott (5-5, 3.32) earned the win after twirling 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit while walking one and striking out one. Tonight's losing pitcher, Memphis starter RHP Jake Woodford (4-5, 4.81), was tagged for five runs, all earned, on six hits and five walks.

Express starter LHP Yohander Mendez spun 2.0 shutout frames with a couple of strikeouts before exiting the game in the third after he was struck in the left arm by a line drive off the bat of Redbirds C Steven Baron

Round Rock's offense came out swinging against Woodford in the bottom of the first, opening the side with back-to-back singles from 2B Christian Lopes and CF Scott Heineman. Two batters later, 1B Tommy Joseph worked a walk to load the bases before SS Nick Noonan drew a free pass of his own to put the E-Train in front, 1-0.

In the third, the Express bats extended their lead to 4-0 with a three-run rally. Heineman led off the frame with his second single of the night, advanced to second when LF Willie Calhoun walked, and came all the way home on Joseph's double off the wall in right-center. 3B Andy Ibanez was then hit by a pitch, setting up another bases-loaded walk from Noonan. C Juan Centeno polished off the surge when he plated Joseph on a sacrifice fly.

The E-Train kept their foot on the gas in the bottom of the fourth as they pushed the gap to 5-0. Lopes reached base on a single to begin the side and was driven home by Calhoun on a double down the right-field line. Calhoun's 32nd two-bagger of the season places him in a four-way tie for second place amongst the league leaders in doubles.

The 'Birds finally cracked the scoreboard in the top of the seventh as they trimmed Round Rock's lead to 5-3. Express reliever LHP Zac Curtis issued consecutive walks to Memphis SS Wilfredo Tovar and LF Randy Arozarena before serving up a three-run homer to 3B Edmundo Sosa.

Working with a two-run lead, E-Train relievers RHP Connor Sadzeck and R.J Alvarez held the Redbirds in check the rest of the way. The two bullpen arms combined for 2.2 scoreless innings as Alvarez secured his PCL-leading 24th save with a three-up, three-down showing in the ninth.

The two teams will be back at Dell Diamond on Wednesday night for game two of three. Round Rock RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-5, 5.61) is penciled in to face Memphis RHP Chris Ellis (5-4, 4.13). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT.

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 28, 2018


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