Express Defeat Dodgers in Oklahoma City to Open 2015
April 9, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Express started the 2015 season with an impressive showing in Oklahoma City, beating the Dodgers 2-0. The E-Train is now 6-5 on Opening Day since becoming a Triple-A club. Round Rock scored 2 runs on 7 hits while Oklahoma City posted 0 runs on 8 hits.
RHP Anthony Ranaudo took the mound for Round Rock to kick off the new season and did not disappoint. Ranaudo faced eight straight batters before allowing a hit and went 5.0 innings with six strikeouts, four hits, no runs and no walks. Ranaudo battled toe-to-toe with Oklahoma City pitcher, and former Express pitcher, Scott Baker. Baker threw 5.0 innings and had six strikeouts as well, but gave up three hits, one run (earned) and one walk. Baker pitched for Round Rock in 2014, going 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
The Express put together a vibrant second inning that saw the first hit, run and RBI of the young season. Carlos Peguero hit a single off of Baker for the first hit of the season and was later brought in to score on a Chris Gimenez RBI sacrifice fly. Peguero continued his hitting expedition with a double in the top of the 7th inning with no outs. The Dominican Republic native finished the night 2-for-3.
2014 Pacific Coast League All-Star Jared Hoying found his groove in the 8th inning with a RBI single to center field that scored third baseman Ed Lucas from third. Hoying had struck out three times before getting his first hit of 2015. Hoying's RBI was the last scoring either team would see for the night.
The Express bullpen saw four pitchers make an appearance. Alex Claudio, Spencer Patton, Juan Perez and Jon Edwards all had strong performances and were able to maintain the win for Ranaudo. Claudio threw 1.1 innings with one strikeout, Patton went 1.1 innings with three hits and two strikeouts, Perez played 0.1 inning with no hits and Edwards gave up one hit and one walk in 0.2 inning of work. Edwards earned the first save of 2015 for the Round Rock bullpen.
A new element that pitchers and batters from both teams had to factor in tonight is the recent implementation of the pitch clock. Pitchers are allotted 20 seconds to throw the ball between pitches and the hitters must be in the batter's box within 20-5 second remaining on the clock. The pitch clock is used to quicken the pace of the game..
In game two of the opening series with Oklahoma City, RHP Luke Jackson will square off with RHP Carlos Frias. Jackson was 8-2 with Frisco last year before joining the Express in June. Frias saw time in Albuquerque and with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014. He went 1-1 in 15 games with Los Angeles.
First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark tomorrow evening.
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