PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Find Winning Ingredients in 5-4 Walkoff Win over 'Cakes

Published on May 10, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - With the bases empty and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Round Rock Express (12-22) needed just seven pitches to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 walkoff victory over the New Orleans Baby Cakes (17-16) on Wednesday night at Dell Diamond. SS Hanser Alberto lined a three-run double to left-center field to give the E-Train the improbable comeback win.

Express RHP R.J. Alvarez (1-1, 1.80) picked up his first win of the season after a shutout ninth inning of relief. New Orleans RHP Jumbo Diaz (2-3, 4.38) suffered the loss after giving up three runs on three hits while recording two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Rehabbing Texas Rangers RHP Tim Lincecum surrendered two hits, including a solo Austin Dean home run, while striking out one in an inning of relief to complete his second outing with the team. Fellow Rangers rehabber RHP Ricky Rodriguez issued a hit and tallied a strikeout in a scoreless frame.

Round Rock jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as rehabbing Texas Rangers 2B Rougned Odor worked a walk before promptly stealing second base. An ensuing Willie Calhoun RBI double opened the scoring.

However, the Baby Cakes rallied for three runs in the top of the second. SS J.T. Riddle singled prior to a walk by C Chad Wallach and a 3B Cristhian Adames single that loaded the bases. DH Rafael Ortega then drove in three runs with a double to deep left field.

The Express picked up a run in the fourth as Calhoun singled and moved to second on a Tommy Joseph groundout. SS Nick Noonan responded with an RBI double that trimmed the deficit to 3-2.

Round Rock starter RHP David Hurlbut yielded the mound for Lincecum in the seventh. Hurlbut finished having allowed three runs on three hits while striking out seven in 6.0 innings of work. Lincecum's second rehab outing of the season began with Dean's home run to left-center field. The righty recovered to strike out Wallach before surrendering a single to Adames. After an Ortega flyout, RF Isaac Galloway grounded into a fielder's choice that closed the book on Lincecum's night. The righty threw 13 total pitches, with 10 landing in the strike zone.

The Express mounted a quick comeback in the ninth inning. With two outs and the bases clear, C Cameron Rupp and CF Jose Cardona tallied back-to-back singles off Diaz. The righty hit Noonan with a pitch in the next plate appearance to load the bases. Alberto then took a bow, lining a bases-clearing double into the power alley in left-center field, plating three runs to complete the dramatic 5-4 comeback win.

Round Rock and New Orleans meet in a pivotal game three on Thursday night. Round Rock RHP David Ledbetter (0-4, 5.24) is scheduled to start against New Orleans RHP Sandy Alcantara (1-1, 3.27). First pitch at Dell Diamond is slated for 7:05 p.m.

For more information on the Express, visit RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 10, 2018


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