PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Go Bust in 3-0 Loss to Aces

Published on July 27, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (51-54) saw their five-game winning streak come to an end as they fell 3-0 to the Reno Aces (52-53) on Friday night at Dell Diamond. The stretch of five consecutive victories was Round Rock's longest since a seven-win run earlier this season from June 22-28.

Express starter RHP Richelson Pena (3-2, 4.66) suffered a tough-luck loss after shutting out Reno's offense through the first five frames of a 6.0-inning start. Earning the win was Aces starter RHP Taylor Clarke (9-7, 4.49), who tossed 6.0 scoreless innings on three hits and three walks while striking out four. On the whole, Reno's pitching staff would allow just eight Round Rock hitters to reach base on four hits, three walks, and an error.

The Aces finally cracked Pena's code in the top of the sixth when SS Kristopher Negron connected on a solo home run to left to put the visitors in front 1-0. Negron's round-tripper was the last of three Reno base hits that Pena permitted on the night, and the only run the E-Train starter would be responsible for.

After Pena was replaced by Round Rock reliever LHP James Jones to start the seventh, the Aces added to their newfound lead. CF Rey Fuentes was struck by Jones' first pitch of the evening before DH Yasmany Tomas worked a walk, placing runners at first and second with no outs. Following a groundout that advanced both runners, Fuentes scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. In the next at-bat, Jones would record his first strikeout at the Triple-A level before Aces RF Socrates Brito produced a two-out RBI single up the middle to push the gap to 3-0.

The Express put together a promising scoring opportunity in the bottom half of the frame, loading the bases with no outs. With their backs against the wall, the Aces called upon reliever RHP Silvino Bracho out of the bullpen, who proceeded to strikeout the side on 13 pitches. Remaining in the game for the eighth, Bracho struck out the side once again as he rattled off a stretch of six straight punchouts.

Before the game ended in bottom of the ninth, Round Rock reliever RHP Tayler Scott made his mark on the contest by contributing a pair of scoreless innings while collected two strikeouts.

The E-Train will look to start a new winning streak on Saturday at Dell Diamond in game two of the four-game set. Round Rock RHP Chris Rowley (3-1, 5.28) is slated to make his debut as a member of the Express against Aces RHP Matt Koch (1-1, 2.52). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CDT.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 27, 2018


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