PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Sweep Zephyrs with 4-3 Series Finale Win

Published on June 17, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - A soggy series came to an end Wednesday night at Dell Diamond as the Round Rock Express (40-25) swept the New Orleans Zephyrs (29-35) with a 4-3 game four victory. The Express are the third team in the Pacific Coast League to reach the 40-win mark.

The Zephyrs bats were the first to make noise for the second game in a row courtesy of a one-out single from DH Juan Diaz in the top of the second. Round Rock starter Alec Asher surrendered another single that spurred a throwing error from SS Beamer Weems, putting runners on second and third, still with one out. A third consecutive single one pitch later brought in the first run of the ballgame, giving New Orleans the 1-0 lead. Asher finally picked up the second out and got some defensive help from C Tomas Telis who caught New Orleans CF Isaac Galloway stealing to end the inning.

The E-Train offense found life with a lead-off walk from 2B Tommy Field to start the bottom of the second. CF Jared Hoying then supplied a single to move Field to second and put two on with no outs. New Orleans starter Andre Rienzo responded with a pair of strikeouts, bringing Weems to the plate with two away. Weems chunked a soft fly ball into right field for his second RBI of the year, scoring Field to tie the game at 1-1. Rienzo collected his third K of the night to close the inning.

Round Rock flourished in the bottom of the fourth inning as Field once again led off the inning, this time by reaching on an error to put one on. Hoying imitated his second-inning performance with another single, but moving Field to third to light the corners. A wild pitch from Rienzo brought in Field for the second Express run of the night and gave Round Rock its first lead of the game, 2-1.

Rienzo's (0-4, 3.07) evening came to a close after 4.0 innings of work with five hits, two runs (one earned), one walk and four strikeouts. RHP James Nygren took the wheel for the Zephyrs to start the fifth inning, but was unable to find a rhythm. RF Ryan Strausborger kick started the inning with a lead-off single and went on to steal his 14th bag of the year with Telis at the plate. Telis then smoked a liner to left for a RBI single, augmenting the Express advantage to 3-1 as he moved to second on the throw. Nygren used a fly out for the first out, but a passed ball shuffled Telis to third with ML rehabber Ryan Rua stepping into the batter's box. Rua and Nygren battled for eight pitches before Rua eventually grounded out, scoring Telis in the process to extend the lead to 4-1 Round Rock.

ML rehabber Neftali Feliz entered in the top of the seventh for Asher (2-2, 5.14) who went 6.0 innings with six hits, one run (unearned), two walks and three Ks in his fifth start of the year. Feliz's sixth rehab appearance was filled with inconsistencies as the former Rookie of the Year and All-Star went ground out, single and strikeout before facing New Orleans SS Miguel Rojas. Rojas lit Feliz for a RBI single that brought the score to 4-2, giving New Orleans life. The issues continued for Feliz as he walked LF Jordany Valdespin to put men on first and second with two outs. The Round Rock righty then gave up another RBI single after a mound visit, making it a one-run ballgame. LHP Alex Claudio put an end to the New Orleans momentum shift with a strikeout, closing the seventh with Round Rock up 4-3.

The Round Rock bullpen sealed the win as RHP Jared Burton and RHP Spencer Patton blanked the Zephyrs over the final two innings. Patton earned his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 ninth

Rua finished the 11th game of his rehab 0-for-4 with one RBI.

Feliz's went 0.2 inning in his sixth rehab appearance with three hits, two runs (two earned), one walk and one strikeout.

Round Rock completes its seven-game homestand with a four-game series against the Iowa Cubs with game one tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Ross Wolf takes the hill for the Express as the I-Cubs send out RHP Carlos Pimentel (4-4, 3.67).

For tickets and more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Follow the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 17, 2015


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