Express Fall 12-8 After Nightmare Sixth Inning
June 7, 2017 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (33-22) sent 13 men to the plate in an eight-run sixth inning, fueling a 12-8 win over the Round Rock Express (28-31) on Tuesday night. E-Train CF Drew Robinson clubbed a pair of homers in the defeat.
Express starter RHP Allen Webster (4-4, 6.79) suffered the loss following a performance in which he gave up seven runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings. Sky Sox reliever RHP Tristan Archer (2-1, 4.07) picked up the win after allowing holding Round Rock to just one run on two hits in 1.2 innings out of the bullpen.
For the second night in a row, Robinson collected a leadoff home run on the second pitch of the game, giving the visitors an immediate 1-0 lead. The E-Train tacked on three more runs in the third inning as Robinson and 1B Jurickson Profar collected back-to-back doubles before C Brett Nicholas sent both runners home with a single. After a Travis Snider double, 2B Jason Martinson grounded out to score Nicholas from third.
Colorado Springs began chipping away in the bottom of the frame. 3B Gabriel Noriega recorded his team's first base hit, a double, before LF Kyle Wren walked. 1B Ivan De Jesus then stepped to the plate and roped a two-run double that cut the Express lead in half.
After a pair of scoreless frames, Snider and Martinson opened the sixth with consecutive singles. RF Drew Stubbs grounded into a fielder's choice two hitters later, allowing Snider to race home. However, the Sky Sox stormed ahead with an eight-run sixth inning. RF Lewis Brinson kicked off the big frame with a single before CF Ryan Cordell blasted a two-run homer to left field. After a Nate Orf triple, DH Kirk Nieuwenhuis, SS Yadiel Rivera and Noriega all singled, scoring a trio of runs in the process.
The inning continued as Wren doubled before Brinson collected his second hit of the frame, a two-run single. Cordell manufactured a walk, then Orf dealt the final blow, an RBI single that extended the Colorado Springs lead to 10-5.
Robinson collected his second home run of the night in the top of the seventh inning, a solo shot that trimmed the deficit to 10-6.
The center fielder's heroics did little to save the Express as the Sky Sox tacked on two more runs in the eighth. With LHP Wesley Wright on to pitch, Brinson singled, Cordell doubled and Orf walked to promptly load the bases. After a Nieuwenhuis fielder's choice that resulted in Brinson being tossed out at home, Rivera singled to send Cordell and Orf to the plate, ballooning his team's lead to 12-6.
The E-Train attempted a late comeback in the ninth. With RHP David Goforth on the mound, Profar walked before back-to-back base hits courtesy of Nicholas and 3B Will Middlebrooks loaded the bases. Snider then worked a walk to drive in Round Rock's seventh run. DH Preston Beck poked a two-out sacrifice fly to deep right field, leaving just enough time for Nicholas to tag and score. However, the rally fell short as Stubbs grounded out to seal the team's fate.
The two American Conference foes will continue their four-game series on Wednesday night. Round Rock RHP Eddie Gamboa (4-5, 7.52) is scheduled to start against Colorado Springs RHP Michael Blazek (0-0, 1.95). First pitch at Security Service Field is set for 7:40 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 7, 2017
- Reno deafeats Tacoma - Tacoma Rainiers
- Aces Win 8-3, Look for Series Sweep Thursday - Reno Aces
- Game One of the Twin Bill Goes to the I-Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Hinshaw's Late Homer Rallies Baby Cakes - Memphis Redbirds
- Hinshaw's Late Homer Rallies Baby Cakes - Memphis Redbirds
- Memphis Drops Seesaw Affair, 5-4 - Memphis Redbirds
- OKC Dodgers to Help "Grow the Game" with Terrascapes and Benefit - Oklahoma City Comets
- Fresno takes on Sacramento - Fresno Grizzlies
- Reno takes down Tacoma - Tacoma Rainiers
- Vargas, Marte Combine for Eight RBI's Victory over Tacoma - Reno Aces
- Isotopes Back in Win Column with 9-6 Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Eight-Run Sixth Fuels 12-8 Sox Win - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Albuquerque takes down Chihuahuas - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Bees Rally Past 51s with Two in Ninth - Salt Lake Bees
- Express Fall 12-8 After Nightmare Sixth Inning - Round Rock Express
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
