Express Drops 12-Inning Marathon
August 14, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Leading by one in the top of the ninth, a game-changing error allowed the tying run to score as the Round Rock Express (64-60) went on to fall 4-3 in 12 innings to the Tacoma Rainiers (65-59) on Tuesday night at Dell Diamond.
Round Rock blew just its second game when leading after seven innings at home (34-2) and suffered its first extra-inning loss since June 13.
Tacoma started off by taking the lead in the top of the first on a RBI single off Express starter Evan Meek for the game's first run, grabbing a 1-0 lead before Round Rock could pick up a bat.
The Rainiers built on their lead in the third as Tacoma starter Andrew Carraway held the E-Train scoreless through the first two frames. Center fielder Abraham Almonte picked on the first pitch he saw from Meek, belting a solo shot to begin the third inning as the Rainiers jumped ahead 2-0.
Round Rock's offense fired back in the bottom of the third, using patience at the plate after a fast start to climb back into the lead. Right fielder Jared Hoying homered on the first pitch he saw, a solo blast to right for his eighth home run of the season as the Rainiers' lead shrank to two. With one out on the board, the Express drew three straight walks to load the bases. Carraway then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed the second run to score, tying the game before third baseman Alex Buchholz's sacrifice fly gave Round Rock a one-run lead at 3-2.
Meek cruised through his final two innings of work before handing the ball off to the bullpen to begin the sixth. Right-hander Carlos Pimentel picked up right where Meek left off, holding Tacoma scoreless through the seventh while Nate Robertson combined to preserve the one-run advantage heading into the ninth.
Right-hander Cory Burns took over to start the ninth frame, but after retiring the first two batters, the closer had trouble finding the strike zone. Burns issued walks to the next two batters and uncorked a wild pitch to move them into scoring position. With runners on second and third, and two outs on the board, a costly fielding error by third baseman Alex Buchholz allowed the tying run to cross the plate. Burns went on to load the bases, but southpaw Joseph Ortiz was able to work out of the jam, however the damage had been done as the E-Train entered the bottom of the ninth locked in a 3-3 draw.
After Round Rock was unable to push across a game-winner in the ninth, the Express moved into extra innings for the seventh time in 2013. Ortiz went on to hold the Rainiers in check through the 11th as neither team was able to come through with the "big" hit.
Side-winder Ben Rowen was called upon out of the bullpen to start the 12th inning, boasting an 11.0 innings scoreless streak while not having allowed an earned run since May 6 when he was a member of the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders (40.1 IP). Rowen never allowed a ball out of the infield, but the Rainiers were able to push across a run on a slow roller to the right side with a runner on third and two outs for the go ahead run.
Round Rock went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 12th as Bobby LaFromboise finished off the game for Tacoma, improving to 6-0 on the season with the win. Rowen (1-1) suffered his first loss of 2013.
The Express and Rainiers continue a four-game set Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Round Rock will send southpaw Michael Kirkman (0-2, 14.04 ERA) to the mound for his third rehab start, while Tacoma counters with Hector Noesi (3-2, 6.46 ERA). Wednesday night at Dell Diamond will be Winning Wednesday, presented by the Texas Lottery featuring game show style promotions with your host Ballpark Rob Barker. 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 14, 2013
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