Express Falls to Isotopes 9-4
June 14, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - After tying the game in the bottom of the eighth, the Round Rock Express (37-31) allowed five runs in the top of the 11th as the Albuquerque Isotopes (35-32) took the series finale 9-4.
For the second straight night, the Isotopes scored the first run on an Express error. After Albuquerque shortstop Dee Gordon walked and stole second, he advanced to third on a ground out, putting the pressure on Round Rock starter Evan Meek early. With one out, designated hitter Tony Gwynn Jr. tapped a ball back to the mound but Meek stumbled when trying to trap Gordon between third and home and his throw to third baseman Mike Olt was off line, allowing the speedy middle infielder to score.
Round Rock fired back, putting runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the second. First baseman Mike Bianucci grounded into what looked like was going to be a double play, but second baseman Elevys Gonzalez's throw could not be dug out at first. With the ball skipping away, Olt was able to score from second and knot the game at one apiece.
The "ÃËTopes scored their second unearned run of the night in the top of the third, loading the bases against Meek with two outs. With first baseman Brian Barden at the plate, Express catcher Jose Felix attempted to pick off the runner at first but his throw trickled away from Bianucci. Albuquerque third baseman Elian Herrera took advantage of the miscue and scored from third to give the Isotopes a one-run lead.
Albuquerque added to its lead in the fourth as catcher Matt Wallach ripped his fourth home run of the season, making the score 3-1. With two outs, Gonzalez worked a walk to keep the inning alive for the Isotopes and promptly stole second to put himself in scoring position. One batter later, Meek looked to be out of the inning when he forced Herrera to chop a ball to first but the grounder skipped away from Bianucci, allowing Gonzalez to score from second for the second Albuquerque run of the inning.
Olt helped the E-Train cut into the lead in the bottom half of the frame, leading off with his fourth homer of the season, a solo shot to center that made the score 4-2.
Left fielder Joey Butler added a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the sixth to bring Round Rock within one at 4-3.
After taking over for Meek in the fourth, right-hander Jake Brigham tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in relief, keeping the Express within striking distance.
Back-to-back walks in the bottom of the eighth gave the E-Train runners on first and second with no outs. Butler sacrificed both runners into scoring position while shortstop Yangervis Solarte tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Round Rock was not able to push across the go-ahead run but did knot the game at four entering the ninth.
After Lisalverto Bonilla retired the "ÃËTopes in the top of the ninth, the E-Train was unable to come through in the bottom half of the inning, stranding runners on second and third as the game entered extra innings.
Another scoring chance was wasted in the bottom of the 10th when Round Rock loaded the bases with two outs but Bianucci's ground ball was snagged by pitcher Steve Ames to retire the side.
The "ÃËTopes broke through in the top of the 11th, plating two runs on a bases loaded double off the bat of Gwynn. Albuquerque tacked on three more before the inning came to a close, two coming on a two-run home run by right fielder Jeremy Moore.
Trailing 9-4 entering the bottom of the 11th, the Express put two runners on but was unable to push across any runs. Bonilla suffered the loss, dropping to 4-5 while Ames (2-2) picked up the win.
The Express hits the road for four games against the Oklahoma City RedHawks from June 14-17 before returning to Dell Diamond for a four-game set against the Memphis Redbirds June 18-21. Tomorrow night, Round Rock will send right-hander Scott Richmond (1-1, 5.84 ERA) to the mound to face Oklahoma City starter Ross Seaton (2-5, 7.60 ERA) in game one at 7:05 p.m. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 14, 2013
- Redbirds Offense Goes Cold in 7-2 Loss in Albuquerque - Memphis Redbirds
- Zephyrs Take Down Nashville 6-3 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Defeats RedHawks, 11-2, in Series Opener - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds Drop Series Opener against New Orleans, 6-3 - Nashville Sounds
- Raley Returns to I-Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Capuano to Rehab With Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Cats Return Home For Four Game Series - Sacramento River Cats
- RedHawks vs. Express - Game Notes - June 14, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Cubs for Extra Innings, But Fall in 12 - Iowa Cubs
- Reno Splits Series with Sacramento - Reno Aces
- Sacramento Drops Series Finale to Reno, 3-1 - Sacramento River Cats
- Perez Lifts RedHawks to 9-8 Win in 12th Inning - Oklahoma City Comets
- Heston Twirls First Career Shutout in Grizzlies' 2-0 Win - Fresno Grizzlies
- Fresno blanks Tucson - Tucson Padres
- Isotopes Outlast Express in Extras - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sky Sox Hold off Bees in the Ninth to Win, 5-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Express Falls to Isotopes 9-4 - 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.
