PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Clips New Orleans with 8-7 Win

Published on April 20, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Behind seven RBI from the 5-6-7 hitters in the line-up, the Round Rock Express (10-7) knocked off the New Orleans Zephyrs (7-8) in the series opener at Dell Diamond Saturday night, 8-7.

The Express wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as center fielder Engel Beltre led off the game with a single and moved into scoring position on a ground out by shortstop Jurickson Profar. Control issues got the best of New Orleans starter Brad Hand as the left-hander uncorked two wild pitches, allowing Beltre to move to third and eventually score on a strikeout by first baseman Jim Adduci.

After issuing a walk to designated hitter Joey Butler, followed by a single off the bat of left fielder Yangervis Solarte, Hand found himself in another first inning jam. Catcher Robinson Chirinos cleared the bases when he launched a 2-2 pitch beyond the left field berm for a three-run blast, giving the Express a 4-0 lead.

Round Rock starter Josh Lindblom did not allow a hit until the third inning when the right-hander gave up a single to left fielder Gorkys Hernandez after walking center fielder Kevin Mattison. Following a strikeout of right fielder Bryan Petersen, the Zephyrs finally got to Lindblom, scoring their first run when third baseman Ben Lasater singled in Mattison, cutting Round Rock's lead to 4-1. It was the first run Lindblom had allowed to New Orleans this season after throwing 7.2 combined shutout innings against the Zephyrs (5.0 scoreless innings on April 14 in Metairie, La.).

In the bottom of the fourth, Chirinos continued his big night, doubling on a one-out lined shot into left center that Mattison could not hold on to. Right fielder Aaron Cunningham brought in Chirinos on a RBI single, pushing the E-Train lead back to four at 5-1.

The Express kept the offense rolling in the fifth when Adduci and Butler reached on walks with two outs. Solarte followed by bringing home Adduci on another RBI single for the first of two runs in the inning. Chirinos continued the two-out magic, reaching base for the third time on the night, this time walking to load the bases for Cunningham. The right fielder chopped a soft grounder down the third base line, but beat the throw which allowed Butler to cross home for the seventh Round Rock run.

Lindblom exited after five innings of work, giving way to southpaw Nate Robertson to begin the sixth. The Express starter finished allowing just one run on four hits with a season-high seven strikeouts.

Robertson's 2.0 innings were rocky as the left-hander loaded the bases in the sixth with two outs and the Zephyrs cashed in on the opportunity. Second baseman Greg Miclat made a diving snag to his right on a ground ball up the middle from Mattison, but was unable to force an out at second, allowing New Orleans to plate its second run of the evening. That would be all the Zephyrs could take advantage of as Robertson forced Hernandez to fly out to center, ending the threat.

Robertson worked his way out of another jam in the seventh when he walked designated hitter Matt Diaz and then plunked first baseman Jordan Brown on a 0-1 pitch after retiring the first two batters. With runners on first and second, catcher Koyie Hill grounded a sharp ball to the left side but third baseman Mike Olt made a diving stop and rocketed a toss across the infield to get Hill and preserve the five-run lead.

Solarte added an eighth run in the bottom half of the seventh with a solo shot to left, his second of the season. The switch hitter finished the night 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, breaking out of a 1-for-11 slump entering the game.

The Express needed all eight runs as the Zephyrs would again load the bases in the ninth with one out. Lisalverto Bonilla was able to whiff second baseman Matt Downs to put two outs on the board, but issued a walk to shortstop Wilson Valdez that scored Diaz from third, cutting Round Rock's lead to 8-3. Bonilla found himself ahead in the count, 1-2, of the next batter, Mattison, but the leadoff hitter forced a 3-2 pitch With all three runners on the move with the offering, the center fielder delivered with a bases-clearing triple to center, cutting the E-Train's advantage down to two.

After a walk to Hernandez put runners on first and third, Petersen lined Yan's 1-1 pitch into left field, scoring Mattison and pulling the Zephyrs within one at 8-7. The side-winding righty rebounded to force the clean-up-hitting Lasater to pop out to first base, ending the comeback and the game.

Lindblom earned his second win, while Hand was tagged with his first loss of the season. Yan picked up the save, his first, as the Express improved to 7-2 at Dell Diamond for its best home start in Triple-A franchise history.

With the eight runs on the night, the Express not only earned its 10th victory of the season, it activated the Papa John's "No. 7 Express" promotion as fans will now be able to receive half price pizza tomorrow by using the promo code EXPRESS 7.

The Express continues its homestand with the second game of a four-game set against the Zephyrs tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Round Rock will send right-hander Ross Wolf (0-1, 1.80 ERA) to the mound. He will be opposed by New Orleans righty Doug Mathis (1-1, 2.45 ERA). Tomorrow will also be H-E-B Kids Day featuring kiddie train rights, interactive inflatable games and much more including a post-game run of the bases for all kids. For tickets and more information, 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 April 20, 2013


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