PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Drop Series Opener 6-3 to Storm Chasers

Published on July 20, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


PAPILLION, Nebraska - E-Train CF Drew Robinson went 2-4 at the plate as the Round Rock Express (46-52) fell 6-3 in Friday night's series opener against the Omaha Storm Chasers (43-54) at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska. Finishing with two singles and a walk in tonight's contest, Robinson raised his batting average to its highest point this season at .322.

Round Rock reliever RHP Chris Jensen (1-2, 6.02) ended up with the loss after allowing six earned runs over 5.0 innings of relief. Storm Chasers starter LHP Jonathan Dziedic (4-8, 3.88) earned the win following a 6.1 inning outing in which he allowed three runs on seven hits.

Riding high off last night's 4-3 win at Colorado Springs, the E-Train offense was revved up in the early going as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Robinson led off the game with a single, extending his current hitting streak to 12 straight games. The next batter, SS Cliff Pennington, doubled on a line drive to right, placing runners at second and third with no outs. 3B Andy Ibanez and DH Juan Centeno then drove in both runners without recording a hit, combining for an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly.

After Round Rock starter LHP David Hurlbut was replaced by Jensen on the bump to start the bottom of the third, Omaha rallied for three runs to pull ahead 3-2. CF Billy Burns and 2B Nicky Lopez started off the side with a single and a double before 1B Frank Schwindel grounded out to bring Burns home from third. Back-to-back RBI doubles by DH Cam Gallagher and RF Elier Hernandez finished off the scoring outburst.

The Storm Chasers would pad the gap in the bottom of the fifth, extending their lead to 4-2. Jensen issued consecutive two-out walks to LF Ryan O'Hearn and Gallagher before Hernandez bounced an RBI single up the middle for his third hit of the evening. Omaha would continue pouring on in the sixth, widening the gap to 6-2 after Schwindel ripped an RBI single and Lopez scored on a wild pitch.

In the top of the seventh, the Express bats cut the Storm Chasers' lead to 6-3. 2B Christian Lopes started the frame with a single before advancing to second a wild pitch. Following a walk by RF Hunter Cole, 1B Hanser Alberto punched a run-scoring single past second base to bring Lopes home. Round Rock would eventually load the bases with one out but stranded all three runners when Ibanez grounded into a rally-ending double play.

Over the final two frames, Omaha reliever RHP Richard Lovelady held the Express scoreless and hitless en route to picking up his fourth save of the year.

Round Rock will play two on Saturday at Werner Park, making up a game that was postponed back on May 29th. Express RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-4, 4.80) is scheduled to start against Storm Chasers RHP Arnaldo Hernandez (0-0, 1.93) in the first leg of the double header. First pitch of game one is set for 12:05 p.m. CDT while game two is slated to begin at 7:05 p.m. CDT.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 20, 2018


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