PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Out-Slugged by RedHawks 6-3

Published on August 24, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - With the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, the Round Rock Express' (70-65) late rally was cut short by the Oklahoma City RedHawks (78-57) in a 6-3 loss Saturday night at Dell Diamond.

Three solo home runs were the only means of offense for the Express on the night, two coming in the same inning, as the Oklahoma City bullpen closed the door with the game on the line.

The RedHawks jumped on starter Evan Meek and the Express in the top of the first, taking an early 1-0 lead on a RBI ground out by third baseman Brandon Laird.

Round Rock answered in the bottom of the second when designated hitter Mike Bianucci launched a solo home run to left, evening the score at one apiece.

After sailing through the next three innings, Meek's outing unraveled in the fifth as the right-hander allowed four runs on six hits which opened up a four-run Oklahoma City lead. After giving up a leadoff double, Meek retired the next two batters, but the RedHawks offense awoke with five consecutive singles that plated four runs in the frame.

Faced with a four-run deficit, the Express bats got hot in the bottom of the fifth as shortstop Brendan Harris and first baseman Jim Adduci slammed solo shots just two batters apart to pull Round Rock within two at 5-3.

Meek's night came to a close following the fifth as southpaw Ryan Feierabend entered in relief to start the sixth inning. Feierabend need just five pitches in the sixth and stranded runners on second and third in the seventh before turning the game over to Carlos Pimentel in the eighth.

The RedHawks tagged Pimentel with a leadoff double before a wild pitch moved the runner to third. After a strikeout, Oklahoma City put an insurance run on the board with a sacrifice fly that dropped the E-Train in a three-run hole with just six outs of offense remaining.

After a quiet eighth, the first two Express batters were retired in the ninth before the offense sparked with a bunt single from catcher Eli Whiteside. A walk to Adduci put runners on first and second and brought the tying run to the plate, but center fielder Engel Beltre flew out to end the game.

Oklahoma City starter Bobby Doran (3-0) picked up the win while Meek (6-8) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on 10 hits.

The Express concludes its final homestand of the 2013 regular season Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Southpaw Michael Kirkman (1-2, 7.85 ERA) will get the ball for Round Rock in his fifth rehab appearance, while Oklahoma City will send right-hander Jake Buchanan (5-3, 3.25 ERA) to the hill. Sunday night will be H-E-B Kid's day featuring kiddie train rides, interactive inflatable games, a post-game run of the bases and much more! Also, Sunday will be Fan Appreciation Night at Dell Diamond as players will greet fans at the gate to show appreciation of the support the community has shown towards the Express throughout not only the season, but also the Express' tenure in Round Rock. Following the game, Dell Diamond's 36'x55' LED video board will showcase the 2013 Fan Appreciation Video before the largest fireworks extravaganza of the season! 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 24, 2013


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