PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Lose in Ninth to River Cats 5-4

August 6, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


SACRAMENTO - The Round Rock Express (62-55) took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but were unable to hold on to the lead as the Sacramento River Cats (63-54) unloaded a two-run double to give them a 5-4 walk-off win.

The Express got on the board first, posting two runs in the top of the second inning. First baseman Mike Bianucci blasted a solo-home run on a 3-2 pitch to give the E-Train a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, right fielder Jared Hoying took the first pitch he saw over the fence for an early 2-0 lead.

Shortstop Leury Garcia led off the top of the third with a single and scored two batters later when designated hitter Manny Ramirez ripped a two-out double to center field. Ramirez tried to advance to third on the throw, but was tagged out for the final out of the inning.

The scoring continued for the E-Train in the fourth inning. Third baseman Alex Buchholz reached base on a throwing error and advanced to second. Hoying singled to center, putting runners on first and second with one out. Catcher Robinson Chirinos also got on base by a fielding error on Andy Parrino, his second error of the inning, to plate Buchholz. Left fielder Aaron Cunningham hit a single to load the bases, but Garcia grounded into a double play in the next at-bat to end the inning.

Express starter Jake Brigham held the River Cats offense to just two hits through the first three innings, but unraveled in the fourth. David Freitas lined a two-out single through the hole at second. Anthony Aliotti and Parrino drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Jemile Weeks singled up the middle to plate a run, making it 4-1 Express. Daric Barton followed up with a single of his own, scoring two more runs and cutting the Round Rock lead to one run. After Brigham gave up his third walk of the inning, manager Bobby Jones went to the bullpen in favor of reliever Ben Rowen. Rowen recorded the final out of the inning, stranding three runners.

Bats on both sides were kept quiet through the next three innings with the River Cats managing the only hit during that time.

Express reliever Nate Robertson replaced Rowen with one out in the eighth inning. Designated hitter Jake Goebbert drew a walk and advanced to second on a single off the bat of Frietas. Robertson uncorked a wild pitch to put runners on second and third with one out. Aliotti reached base on a fielder's choice with Goebbert getting tagged out in a rundown between third and home. Cory Burns came in for Robertson, recording the final two outs of the inning without any further damage.

Taking a one-run lead into the bottom of the ninth, the Express couldn't close out the game. Barton blasted a ground-rule double to right-center with one out. Burns issued a walk to Shane Peterson, putting two runners on, but got the next batter to strike out. Down to the final out of the game, Michael Taylor ripped a 1-0 pitch to left-center, scoring two runs and giving Sacramento a 5-4 victory.

Burns took the loss, dropping to 0-2. Sacramento's Fernando Nieve picked up his first win, improving to 1-0.

The Express and River Cats close out the series tomorrow night. Round Rock will look to RHP Evan Meek (5-6, 3.94 ERA) to stop their seven-game losing streak. Sacramento will counter with RHP Arnold Leon (2-2, 4.71 ERA). For 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 August 6, 2013


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