PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Fall Behind Early, Drop Series Opener in Omaha

Published on May 4, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


OMAHA, Nebraska - The Round Rock Express (16-8) could not manage another comeback Monday night at Werner Park as the Omaha Storm Chasers (13-11) outpaced the E-Train 8-3.

Early-inning difficulties plagued the Express once again as the Storm Chasers berated Round Rock starter Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-4, 5.33) in the first inning. Omaha 2B Whit Merrifield led off the night for the Storm Chasers with a single to right, but was the victim of a force out at second to keep one man on. Gonzalez then walked 3B Cheslor Cuthbert to put men on first and second. The righty gave up back-to-back singles to RF Moises Sierra and C Francisco Pena resulting in an early 2-0 advantage for Omaha. A mound visit from pitching coach Brad Holman provided Gonzalez with the confidence to strikeout 1B Matt Fields and get LF Jose Martinez to ground into a force out to close the inning.

The E-Train posted its first two hits of the night as 3B Hanser Alberto and RF Ryan Strausborger hit consecutive singles off of Omaha starter Christian Binford (1-3, 4.76) with two outs in the third. The two hits proved to be the only two of the inning, as C Tomas Telis grounded out to end the inning.

Just as Gonzalez seemed to find a tempo in the third, the Storm Chasers struck again. A quick lineout sent Cuthbert back to the dugout, but Sierra collected his second hit of the night with a single. Gonzalez earned the second out of the inning with a lineout, but surrendered a deep two-run homer to Fields that put the Storm Chasers up 4-0. He got out of the inning after an eight-pitch battle with Martinez that resulted in a ground out.

Omaha poured on the runs in the fourth inning as Gonzalez began to fade. Nine-spot hitter Ryan Jackson tallied his first hit of the evening with a single to right field with one out and was moved to second after Gonzalez allotted a walk to Merrifield. An Alberto fielding error brought Jackson in and put Merrifield on third, raising the Storm Chaser lead to 5-0. A two-run single from Cuthbert with one out enhanced the Omaha advantage to 7-0 as he scored Merrifield and CF Reymond Fuentes. A 6-3 double play put an end to the Omaha onslaught.

The Express finally moved the needle offensively in the fifth inning courtesy of hot-hitting catcher Tomas Telis. Strausborger smoked a double with two outs to right field and a Telis single scored the E-Train's first run of the night. SS Thomas Field grounded out to finish the top half of the inning with Round Rock down 7-1.

Gonzalez saw his night come to an end in the fifth after allowing consecutive singles with one out. He went on to strikeout the next Omaha batter, but was replaced by RHP David Martinez after 4.2 innings, 10 hits, seven runs (five earned), two walks and three strikeouts.

Jared Hoying opened the sixth inning with a solo home run to right center field that made the score 7-2 and shook the previously calm nature of Binford. Binford then gave up a single to Ed Lucas, spurring the Storm Chasers to pull its starter. Binford threw 5.0 innings giving up eight hits, two runs (two earned), no walks and had two strikeouts before being replaced by LHP Scott Alexander.

Frustration grew in the sixth for Round Rock as both Nicholas and manager Jason Wood were ejected from the game after arguing a close call at first that resulted in an Omaha double play. The designated hitter and manager ignited a new spark in the Round Rock order as Gimenez hit an immediate double and was sent to third as LF Trever Adams reached first on an error with two outs. Alberto ripped a single to right field that brought in Gimenez for the third Express run of the night. The rally was cut short with a Strausborger strikeout to end the inning, Round Rock trailing 7-3.

Martinez worked diligently through his 2.1 innings of work, allowing one hit and two walks with one strikeout. LHP Juan Perez took the helm from Martinez in the eighth, but could not prevent the Omaha bats from scoring. Perez's implosion peaked when Merrifield got on base via a force out and immediately stole both second and third base with one out. Fuentes then hit a RBI single to score Merrifield and extend the lead to 8-3.

A silent ninth ended the night for Round Rock, halting its win streak at four.

The Express and Storm Chasers meet tomorrow night for game two of the four-game series at 6:35 p.m. with RHP Jerad Eickhoff (2-0, 3.38) taking the hill for the Express and LHP John Lamb (1-0, 3.48) representing the Storm Chasers.

For tickets and 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 May 4, 2015


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