PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Doubled up by Isotopes 10-5

Published on August 30, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Despite a pair of home runs by right-fielder Joey Butler, the Round Rock Express (72-68) was unable to rally in a 10-5 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes (74-66) Thursday night in the series finale at Isotopes Park.

Butler knocked in four of the five runs as a part of a 4-for-4 night that included his 11th and 12th home runs of the season, but his production was not enough in a five-run defeat.

After cruising through the first three innings, Express starter Evan Meek was tagged by the "˜Topes for five runs in the fourth as the E-Train fell into an early hole. Albuquerque first baseman Eliezer Alfonso belted a two-run home run two batters into the frame to cash in a leadoff single and put the first two runs of the evening on the board. With one out, the Isotopes offense restarted with a single and a hit batter before shortstop Justin Sellers ripped two-run triple that doubled the lead, putting Albuquerque in front 4-0. The "˜Topes finished off the frame with a run-scoring ground out that left the Express trailing by five runs entering the fifth.

Round Rock fought back in the top of the fifth as Butler connected on his 11th home run of the season, a two-run shot that scored first baseman Jim Adduci and cut the Isotope lead to three.

The "˜Topes wasted little time responding, hanging three more runs on Meek in the bottom of the fifth. This time, Albuquerque used a RBI double from designated hitter Scott Van Slyke before a two-run blast off the bat of left fielder Nick Buss put the Isotopes back in front 8-2. Meek exited the game after 4.1 innings, allowing the eight runs on 10 hits prior to turning the game over to the bullpen.

Once again the E-Train rallied, plating a run in the top of the seventh on a RBI single by designated hitter Mike Bianucci, his third hit of the night that brought Round Rock within five.

The bullpen looked to hold strong as Johan Yan tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief before handing the ball to Carlos Pimentel to start the eighth. The right-hander was promptly greeted with a solo shot by Sellers to start the frame. An error by the Express defense led to Albuquerque's 10th run as shortstop Brendan Harris' throw was off the mark, allowing catcher Drew Butera to reach before a double off the bat of second baseman Dee Gordon brought the backstop across the plate. Pimentel went on to retire the next three batters, but the damage had been done as the E-Train entered the final frame with a seven-run deficit.

Butler took it upon himself to help Round Rock mount another comeback attempt in the ninth, belting his second home run of the night, another two-run shot that brought center fielder Engel Beltre home and trimmed Albuquerque's lead to five at 10-5. From there, the Express was only able to put one more runner on base before the "˜Topes closed out the five-run victory.

Meek (6-9) suffered the loss, while Albuquerque reliever Sean White (6-6) picked up the win in relief. The E-Train touched up each pitcher the Isotopes brought into the game Thursday night, but were unable to match the Albuquerque scoring sprees.

The Express continues its final road trip of the 2013 season by opening a four-game set against the Omaha Storm Chasers Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Southpaw Michael Kirkman (2-2, 6.66 ERA) will get the ball for Round Rock, while Omaha will send right-hander Clay Mortensen (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound. 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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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2013


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