PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Dominates Zephyrs in Series Opener, 6-1

Published on August 5, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


Metairie, LA - The Round Rock Express (62-48) held the New Orleans Zephyrs (50-62) to a single run Wednesday night at Zephyr Field while collecting six runs on eight hits to take the series opener 6-1.

The E-Train's presence at Zephyr Field marked the first time since July 23 the club has played a contest in a foreign ballpark, opening a five-game road trip against the Zephyrs with RHP Stolmy Pimentel toeing the rubber. Pimentel received run support in the top of the fourth as Express DH Brett Nicholas got aboard with a one-out single. 1B Ed Lucas moved Nicholas to third on a single of his own, putting runners on the corners for 3B Joey Gallo. Gallo wasted little time by ripping a RBI double on the second pitch he saw from Zephyrs starter Rob Morey, scoring Nicholas to give Round Rock a 1-0 lead. A sacrifice fly from LF Michael Choice scored Lucas, enhancing the score to 2-0. The spurt ended on a J.T. Wise fly out.

2B Tyler Pastornicky added to the Round Rock attack by opening the fifth inning with his first homer of 2015, a solo shot that extended the advantage to 3-0. The blast marked his first home run since July 8, 2014 when he left the building as a member of the Gwinnett Braves. RF Jared Hoying then collected his 19th double of the season followed by a single from CF Leonys Martin, awarding him his first E-Train hit of 2015 while hustling Hoying over to third with no outs. SS Hanser Alberto supplied the second sacrifice fly on the night to bring in Hoying and make the score 4-0. Martin was caught stealing for the second out and a Nicholas ground out bailed Morey out of the jam.

Pimentel's shutout bid came to an end in the bottom of the fifth as the Zephyrs collected their first run on back-to-back lead off doubles. The Round Rock righty picked up a ground out before issuing his second walk of the game that situated Zephyrs on first and third. A soft fly out gave Pimentel the second out, but another walk loaded the bases for New Orleans CF Marcell Ozuna with two away. A sharp ground out from Ozuna terminated the belief of a rally, keeping Round Rock in front by three after five. Pimentel (4-3, 5.49) finished his night with 5.0 innings, five hits, one run (earned), three walks and a strikeout.

Round Rock posted its third two-run inning of the night thanks to a bases-loaded two RBI single by Alberto, increasing the score to 6-1. The runs came off new Zephyrs pitcher Lay Batista who took over for Morey (2-3, 3.22) after the starter went 6.0 innings with six hits, four runs (four earned), one walk, and three Ks.

The Express bullpen kept the Zephyrs silent over the final four innings courtesy of strong relief performances from southpaw Will Lamb, RHP Jesus Pirela, and RHP Luke Jackson. The trio combined for four hits and no walks against, while collecting six strikeouts, sending the E-Train to win number 62.

Round Rock and New Orleans continue the series tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. as the Express send out RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (4-7, 4.41) against a Zephyrs pitcher still to be announced.

For tickets and more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Follow the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 5, 2015


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