PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Falls to Zephyrs 1-0

Published on April 23, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - On a frigid night that kept the offense to a minimum, the Round Rock Express (11-9) dropped its second straight one-run game to the New Orleans Zephyrs (9-9) by a final score of 1-0, splitting the first series between the two at Dell Diamond.

The bats were quiet to start the contest with neither team being able to muster much of an offensive threat through the first two innings. Express starter Randy Wells found himself in a jam to start the third when third baseman Wilson Valdez reached base with one out on an error by shortstop Jurickson Profar. Center fielder Kevin Mattison followed with a single into right that advanced Valdez to third and presented the first scoring threat of the game. Wells buckled down and got some help from his middle infield when left fielder Gorkys Hernandez laced a line drive right at second baseman Greg Miclat who fired to first to complete the double play and end the inning.

The Express found its offense in the bottom half of the frame as Miclat transferred his defense into the batter's box, lining a one-out single into center. Center fielder Engel Beltre continued his torrid pace with a single into right, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Profar moved the runners into scoring position with a fly ball to center, deep enough for both runners to advance. With two outs, right fielder Jim Adduci had an opportunity to put the E-Train on the board, but was called out on strikes to end the inning.

Wells found himself in another jam in the top of the fifth as shortstop Matt Downs singled with one out and was followed by a walk to catcher Taylor Krick and a ground out off the bat of Valdez. With runners on second and third, Mattison drew the second walk of the inning to load the bases with two outs for Hernandez. Wells dug in again and striking Hernandez out on a check swing to end the inning.

The Express right-hander found himself in trouble once again as the Z's put runners on first and third following a sacrifice bunt from right fielder Ben Lasater in the sixth. Wells' cat-like reflexes came into play when Brown bounced a ball back to the box that the E-Train hurler was able to snag, keeping the runners in place while recording the second out at first. Round Rock was unable to dance around New Orleans' threat this inning as the Z's broke through for the first and only run of the game on a RBI-single off the bat of Downs.

Wells exited the game after six innings of one-run ball, his best outing of the season. The Express turned to the bullpen and it delivered, posting three scoreless innings to keep the E-Train just one run down entering the bottom of the ninth.

Zephyrs reliever Chris Hatcher took the ball for the second night in a row and retired the side 1-2-3 for his seventh save of the season. Hatcher has now registered five saves against the Express. Wells suffered the loss as the only pitcher to be tagged with a run. New Orleans starter Elih Villanueva earned the win after 6.2 scoreless innings, holding the E-Train offense to just four hits.

Round Rock will continue its homestand following an off-day on Wednesday with a four-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A affiliate, Los Angeles Dodgers) beginning Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Also Thursday night, Dell Diamond will feature the Original Thirsty Thursday with discounted draft beers and $1.00 sodas, presented by Firetol Protection Services. For tickets and more information, 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 April 23, 2013


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