Express Survive Storm Chasers 6-5
Published on August 19, 2017 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
Express Survive Storm Chasers 6-5
Middlebrooks, Rua Go Yard in Series-Opening Win
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (58-66) used a pair of home runs to fend off the Omaha Storm Chasers (61-66) by a final score of 6-5 in Saturday night's series opener at Dell Diamond. E-Train DH Will Middlebrooks and RF Ryan Rua each went yard in the victory.
Express starter RHP David Ledbetter (3-3, 4.18) posted a strong start, holding the Storm Chasers to three runs on four hits in six innings. The righty struck out four and walked three. On the losing side, Omaha RHP Christian Binford (5-9, 7.65) gave up five runs on six hits and two walks in six innings.
The E-Train jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as SS Jurickson Profar worked a leadoff walk before CF Jared Hoying followed up with a single. LF Willie Calhoun and Rua then teamed up for back-to-back RBI doubles.
Omaha responded immediately as DH Jorge Soler and RF Hunter Dozier each notched solo home runs in the top of the second inning. The Storm Chasers took a brief lead in the top of the third. 2B Ramon Torres opened the frame with a single then SS Raul Mondesi laid down a sacrifice bunt to move his second baseman into scoring position. Rehabbing Kansas City Royals CF Paulo Orlando singled home Torres to put the Storm Chasers up 4-3.
Round Rock surged ahead in the bottom of the inning. Hoying collected a leadoff single prior to a booming two-run shot courtesy of Middlebrooks. After a pair of scoreless frames, Rua followed up with a solo home run of his own to pad the Express lead to 5-3.
The E-Train tacked on what proved to be a critical run in the bottom of the eighth. Rua collected a one-out walk then promptly stole second base. After Storm Chasers LHP Sam Selman walked 1B Ronald Guzman and 3B Tyler Smith to load the bases, the lefty skipped a wild pitch past C Luis Villegas, leaving time for Rua to sprint home from third.
In the bottom of the frame, Express RHP Tayler Scott issued a one-out walk to 1B Frank Schwindel. In the next at-bat, Dozier connected on the first pitch of his at-bat, lining the offering into the berm in left field to narrow the gap to 6-5. Scott recovered to strike out 3B Corey Toups prior to enticing pinch hitter Dean Anna into a popout that preserved the narrow win. The effort earned Scott his first career Triple-A save.
Round Rock and Omaha meet again on Sunday night. Express RHP James Dykstra (2-7, 7.65) is scheduled to face a Storm Chasers pitcher yet to be announced. First pitch at Dell Diamond is set for 6:05 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 !
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 19, 2017
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- Express Survive Storm Chasers 6-5 - Round Rock Express
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- FINAL: Tacoma 7, Salt Lake 6 - Tacoma Rainiers
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