Express Outlast Sky Sox 10-7 in Series Opener
June 5, 2017 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
Express Outlast Sky Sox 10-7 in Series Opener
Seven-Run Fourth Inning Fuels Round Rock Win
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - The Round Rock Express (28-30) bats came to life on Monday night as the team recorded 13 hits in a 10-7 win over the first-place Colorado Springs Sky Sox (32-22) in the series opener at Security Service Field.
Round Rock RHP Clayton Blackburn (1-0, 5.49) earned his first win of the year despite surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in 5.2 innings. Blackburn struck out three and walked one. Sky Sox reliever RHP Tim Dillard (1-1, 8.61) suffered the loss after a rough outing in which he allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks in three innings of work.
Round Rock wasted little time setting the tone as CF Drew Robinson and C Brett Nicholas each collected solo home runs in the top of the first inning. However, the Sky Sox responded in the bottom of the frame as LF Kyle Wren opened the frame with a single before back-to-back wild pitches moved the outfielder to third. An ensuing single off the bat of former E-Train CF Lewis Brinson put Colorado Springs on the board. After stealing second base, Brinson scored on a Nate Orf single to level the game at 2-2.
An inning later, rehabbing Texas Rangers 2B Hanser Alberto launched a solo home run to give the Express the lead once again. The resilient Sky Sox responded with two runs in the bottom of the third to take their first and only lead of the game. Wren again opened the inning with a single before taking second on an Ivan De Jesus groundout. Brinson answered with his second RBI single of the contest. Orf followed suit, again driving Brinson home with a single.
Round Rock blew the game wide open with a seven-run fourth inning in which 11 E-Train hitters came to the plate. Alberto and LF Drew Stubbs kickstarted the long rally with back-to-back singles to open the frame. A Robinson double sent Alberto home before SS Jurickson Profar worked a walk to load the bases. During the next plate appearance, Sky Sox C Rene Garcia threw an errant pickoff attempt into left field, allowing Stubbs to score from third.
The inning continued as Nicholas and 3B Will Middlebrooks notched consecutive RBI base hits to make it 7-4. Following a Ronald Guzman walk, a pair of groundouts off the bats of Peter O'Brien and Preston Beck accounted for two more runs. Alberto then collected his second base hit of the inning, an RBI single that stretched the E-Train lead to 10-4.
Colorado Springs began their comeback attempt in the fifth inning. For the third time in the game, Wren opened the frame with a base hit, this time a double. De Jesus grounded out to move Wren to third before a Brinson groundout left enough time for Wren to score.
An inning later, DH Kirk Nieuwenhuis manufactured a one-out walk, then SS Yadier Rivera singled. After a Gabriel Noriega groundout, Garcia singled to send both runners home, trimming the Express lead to 10-7.
Both bullpens calmed the frenetic affair as neither team was able to push a run across in the final three frames. E-Train LHP Adam Loewen, RHP R.J. Alvarez and closer RHP Preston Claiborne combined to hold the Sky Sox scoreless on just three base hits in the final 3.1 innings. Claiborne earned his team-leading ninth save of the season after working out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth.
Round Rock and Colorado Springs face off again on Tuesday evening. Express RHP Allen Webster (4-3, 6.28) is scheduled to toe the rubber opposite Sky Sox LHP Brent Suter (3-1, 3.54). First pitch at Security Service Field is set for 7:40 p.m.
Single game tickets, season memberships, Flex Plans and Kids Club packages are on sale now. For more information on the Express, visit or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter !
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