Express Comeback Falls Short Against Isotopes 6-5
August 27, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Round Rock Express (71-66) tried to overcome a three-run deficit late in the game Monday night, but fell to the Albuquerque Isotopes (72-65) 6-5 at Isotopes Park.
Albuquerque scored in each of the first three innings to put the E-Train in an early hole. Isotopes right fielder Nick Buss doubled in two runs in the first to put the "ÃËTopes up 2-0.
The Express wasted no time cutting Albuquerque's lead in the top of the second. First baseman Chris McGuiness hit a one-out double and came around to score two batters later on a double off the bat of Aaron Cunningham.
Albuquerque expanded their lead in the bottom half of the second inning. Express starter Jake Brigham gave up a leadoff single followed by a walk to put two men on with no outs. Isotopes shortstop Dee Gordon knocked in a run on a single up the middle to give them a 3-1 lead.
The Isotopes put up two more runs in the third. Buss led off with a single and advanced to scoring position two batters later. He swiped third and came around to score on a throwing error by catcher Robinson Chirinos. A sacrifice fly plated the second run of the inning to make it 5-1 Albuquerque.
Round Rock put up two runs of their own in the fourth. Third baseman Alex Buchholz hit a one-out single and scored when McGuiness launched a 0-1 pitch over the left field wall for his 11th home run of the season.
Brigham was replaced by RHP Ryan Rodebaugh to start the sixth inning after 5.0 innings of work. He was tagged with five runs (two earned) and walked two while striking out six batters.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Elian Herrera bunt singled to third and advanced to second on a throwing error by Buchholz. Tony Gwynn singled in Herrera to give the Isotopes a 6-3 lead.
The Express mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh inning, staring down a three-run deficit. Chirinos drew a leadoff walk to set the stage for Cunningham to hit a two-run home run down the left-field line. Following a call to the Isotopes' bullpen, shortstop Brendan Harris drew a walk, but was stranded as the next three Express batters recorded outs.
Rodebaugh worked a perfect seventh inning before being replaced by LHP Nate Robertson in the eighth. Robertson shut down the "ÃËTopes in order, giving the Express three more outs to tie the game. With two outs, Jim Adduci singled to right-center to put the tying run on base but never came around to score as Engel Beltre struck out to end the game.
Brigham was tagged with the loss, putting him 5-5 on the season. Albuquerque starter Jonathan Sanchez picked up his sixth win of the season while reliever Javy Guerra earned his 11th save.
The Express and Isotopes continue the four-game series tomorrow night at 7:35 p.m. RHP Scott Richmond (5-6, 5.65 ERA) will take the mound for the E-Train to face off against Isotopes RHP Matt Magill (5-1, 3.16 ERA). 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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