PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Open Series with 4-2 Win over Cubs

Published on May 12, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


DES MOINES, Iowa - The Round Rock Express (14-23) held off the Iowa Cubs (11-23) to collect a 4-2 victory in Saturday night's series opener at Principal Park. The Express pitching staff held the Cubs to just two runs on nine hits in the solid performance.

E-Train starter RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-3, 4.04) picked up his second win of the year after limiting the I-Cubs to a run on seven hits and three walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings. Iowa RHP Luke Farrell (0-2, 6.59) suffered the loss after giving up three runs on two hits in 3.0 innings. The starter walked two and struck out two.

Round Rock dropped three runs in the top of the second inning to open the scoring on the night. After DH Willie Calhoun led off the inning with a single, C Juan Centeno grounded into a fielder's choice that eliminated Calhoun at second base. Farrell then hit LF Destin Hood with a pitch before walking SS Nick Noonan to load the bases with two outs. 1B Hanser Alberto stepped to the plate and lined a bases-clearing double to deep left field, putting the Express up 3-0 early.

Iowa got on the board in the third inning. LF Wynton Bernard kicked off the frame with a walk then promptly stole second base. After a Bijan Rademacher singled moved Bernard to third, the speedy outfielder raced home on an ensuing Ryan Court RBI single.

The E-Train bullpen then turned in 2.2 perfect innings as rehabbing Texas Rangers RHP Ricky Rodriguez, RHP Adrian Sampson and RHP Matt Bush struck out five without allowing a baserunner. Round Rock added an insurance run in the eighth as Alberto and CF Jose Cardona each singled to leave runners on the corners for 3B Christian Lopes. The infielder delivered with a sacrifice fly that extended the gap to 4-1.

With a steady rain falling, RHP R.J. Alvarez emerged from the Round Rock bullpen for the ninth inning. The righty surrendered a leadoff double to CF Jacob Hannemann before back-to-back wild pitches allowed the outfielder to score. However, Alvarez recovered to eliminate the late rally and record his team-leading sixth save of the season.

The two teams meet again on Sunday afternoon. Express RHP Tyler Wagner (0-1, 4.68) is scheduled to start against an Iowa pitcher yet to be announced. First pitch at Principal Park is set for 1:08 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 12, 2018


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