PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Comes up Short in Game Three, Storm Chasers Hang on 5-4

Published on July 30, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - What looked like a quiet night for the Round Rock Express (59-45) offense turned on a dime as the E-Train posted three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but ultimately came up short as Omaha Storm Chasers (60-46) took game three Thursday night at Dell Diamond, 5-4.

The wheels turned early for the E-Train thanks to a lead-off double from SS Hanser Alberto off Omaha starter Clayton Mortensen that brought RF Ryan Strausborger to the plate. The Round Rock right fielder went on to extend his hit streak to 13 games with a single into the right field gap, sending the Express in front 1-0.

ML rehabber Derek Holland made the first start of his rehab and calmly threw a 1-2-3 first inning with two strikeouts. The road became bumpier for the southpaw in the second inning as the Omaha offense woke up. Storm Chasers DH Jose Martinez used a single to start the top of the inning and a walk to CF Brett Eibner put two on with no outs. Holland regained his footing by collecting his third K of the night, sending 1B Casey Kotchman down swinging to put the first out on the board. A ground out from C Francisco Pena lit the second out on the board, but advanced the runners to second and third. The final pitch of Holland's night was a two-RBI single by Omaha 2B Christian Colon that erased the Round Rock lead and put the Storm Chasers up 2-1. Holland (0-1, 10.80) finished with 1.2 innings pitched, two hits, two runs (two earned), one walk and three Ks. RHP Anthony Bass inherited Colon, but kept him frozen on first after recording a fly out to end the top half of the inning.

Omaha's bats used a spark in the top of the fourth courtesy of Eibner's 16th double of the season that started the inning. Bass then tossed a wild pitch that moved Eibner to third. Bass crafted his first K of the night to put one in his pocket, but a ground out one pitch later brought Eibner home for the 3-1 Omaha lead. Bass surrendered a single before tallying another strikeout for the third out.

The Storm Chasers pressed on in the fifth with more offense as Bass began to wear down, yielding a two-RBI single with one out that extended the advantage to 5-1. Bass went on to complete the inning, but saw his night come to a close after 3.1 innings of work with five hits, three runs (three earned), one walk and two strikeouts.

Mortensen (7-8, 5.63) went on to shutout the E-Train after his first inning hiccup, tossing 6.0 innings with five hits, one run (earned), two walks and five strikeouts to his name. Omaha tossed a solid next two innings with strong performances from relievers Brian Broderick and Michael Mariot. Mariot took the hill in the ninth, looking to slam the door on the E-Train. Round Rock 3B Tyler Pastornicky found his way aboard with a one-out single of Mariot, but the Omaha righty picked up the second out with a fly out. The Express faithful felt the momentum shift as Alberto plugged a single that moved Pastornicky to third and found himself on second. Strausborger then earned a walk to load the bases for Express C Chris Gimenez. After a brief Omaha mound visit, Gimenez launched a three-RBI double that fell just short of leaving the park, but inched the E-Train closer 5-4. 1B Ed Lucas worked the count to 3-2 against Mariot, but was unable to connect as Mariot gathered his fourth strikeout to end the contest.

The Express and Storm Chasers continue the series tomorrow night as RHP Anthony Ranaudo (7-3, 3.55) takes the mound for the E-Train against Omaha RHP J.C. Sulbaran (NR). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 30, 2015


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