PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Drop Opener against Dodgers 8-4

Published on April 18, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Oklahoma City Dodgers (10-1) blasted four home runs en route to an 8-4 victory over the Round Rock Express (3-10) in Tuesday night's series opener at Dell Diamond. Round Rock CF Jose Cardona finished 4-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss.

Express starter LHP Yohander Mendez (0-3, 7.20) dropped his third straight start after allowing five runs, only four of which were earned, on six hits in 6.0 innings of work. The lefty struck out two and walked three. On the winning side, OKC starter RHP Manny Banuelos (2-0, 1.69) limited the E-Train to just one run on six hits and a walk while striking out seven in 6.0 strong innings.

The visitors grabbed the lead in the first inning. CF Tim Locastro jumped aboard via a fielding error by Express 3B Christian Lopes. An ensuing Donovan Solano single put two aboard for 3B Rob Segedin. The infielder grounded into a double play that moved Locastro to third. RF Alex Verdugo then sent his fellow infielder racing home with an RBI single that opened the scoring.

The first of four Oklahoma City home runs came in the third. After a Solano fielder's choice that eliminated Locastro at second, Segedin blasted a two-run shot over the Home Run Porch in left field to extend the OKC lead to 3-0.

Round Rock responded in the bottom of the frame as SS Hanser Alberto doubled prior to an RBI single by Cardona. Dodgers C Rocky Gale answered in the fourth with a two-run single that reset the score at 5-1.

After a solo Locastro home run off Express RHP Paolo Espino in the top of the seventh, the E-Train mounted a two-out rally that brought them within striking distance. With Dodgers RHP Guillermo Moscoso on the mound, Alberto, Cardona, RF Scott Heineman, LF Willie Calhoun and 1B Tommy Joseph teamed up for five straight two-out singles, plating three runs to bring Round Rock within 6-4.

However, OKC LF Henry Ramos homered off Espino in the eighth, then former Round Rock and current Oklahoma City DH Alex Burg went deep off RHP Tayler Scott in the ninth to extend the final score to 8-4.

The two teams meet again on Wednesday morning for Round Rock's annual Education Day. The 11:35 a.m. first pitch features Express RHP Adrian Sampson (0-2, 13.50) against Dodgers RHP Brock Stewart (1-0, 2.38).

For more information on the Express, visit RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 18, 2018


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