PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express tie franchise record in blasting I-Cubs

Published on April 23, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


(Des Moines, IA) - Until this road trip, the Round Rock Express had given no indication they were an offensive juggernaut. But don't try to sell that kettle of fish to the Iowa Cubs. Not if the last two games are any indication.

On a sun-splashed Sunday at Principal Park in Des Moines, the E-Train pounded out a franchise record tying 22 hits in route to a 15-4 victory over the Iowa Cubs.

The scoring explosion started in the first inning with Round Rock putting up three runs on three hits. Second baseman Brooks Conrad's two run double and Brian Gordon's RBI single gave the Express a 3-0 lead.

The Cubs put up two off starter Jared Gothreaux in the second inning. An outstanding relay throw from Brian Gordon to Brooks Conrad to catcher Hector Gimenez nailed Cubs outfielder Matt Padgett trying to score. The Iowa Cubs managed to tighten the game to 3-2, Express, but it didn't stay that way long.

In the top of the third, Round Rock staged the first of two, five run explosions. First baseman Royce Huffman notched a run scoring single, Gordon doubled in a run, as did shortstop Jesse Garcia. Brooks Conrad's sacrifice fly scored one, and Gothreaux helped himself with an RBI single as the Express pulled away, leading 8-2.

In the fifth, Round Rock took a 13 to 2 advantage on a two run, pinch hit single from last night's winning pitcher Chris Sampson, a Conrad RBI double (he finished the day with five RBIs), a Joe McEwing sacrifice fly, and another Huffman RBI base hit.

Gothreaux, continuing his rehab, pitched four solid innings but did not qualify for the win. Reliever Chris Baker took over, surrendering a two run homer to Casey McGehee in the sixth inning to make it 13-4, but the Express batting order wasn't done.

They picked up two more on Conrad's ground out that scored Luke Scott, who had walked and moved to third on a Royce Huffman double, and an RBI double from third baseman Cody Ransom double. Ransom came into the game in the sixth inning after Brian Gordon was hit by a pitch in the fifth.

Game 3 of this series begins on Monday at 7:05 in Des Moines with righty Roberto Giron going for the Express. -Mike Capps

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 23, 2006


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