Express Top Cubs in 10-9 Slugfest
April 17, 2017 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Round Rock Express (6-6) and Iowa Cubs (6-6) combined to score 19 runs on 24 hits but it was the E-Train notching a 10-9 win in the series finale. Express DH Jared Hoying played the role of hero, collecting an RBI double in the top of the 9th inning to give Round Rock the win.
Express LHP Ryne Slack (1-0, 0.00) collected the win in his first career game at the Triple-A level. The lefty struck out I-Cubs 2B Ian Happ to record the third out in the eighth inning in what was the only batter he faced. Iowa LHP David Rollins (0-1, 1.50) suffered the loss after surrendering the game-winning run for Round Rock in the ninth inning.
The E-Train took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first. 2B Drew Robinson started the day with a leadoff single before racing home on a Preston Beck double. After a one-out Hoying walk, RF Travis Snider singled to double the lead to 2-0. 1B Ronald Guzman then began his big day with an RBI single that sent Hoying home.
The I-Cubs responded nearly immediately with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. E-Train starter RHP Nick Martinez walked RF Bijan Rademacher before surrendering a single to SS Chesny Young. 3B Jeimer Candelario continued his big series with an RBI single. A fielder's choice off the bat of 1B Victor Caratini allowed Candelario to trot home.
Express SS Doug Bernier opened the second inning with a solo home run, his first of the year. 3B Will Middlebrooks got in on the act three hitters later with a solo shot of his own, extending the Round Rock lead to 5-2. However, a pair of Iowa home runs knotted the game at five in the fourth. Candelario opened the inning with a solo shot before Caratini singled then was driven home on a Mark Zagunis bomb.
The home run derby carried over into the fifth inning as Guzman sent a solo shot to right field. The Express continued to add to their lead in the sixth. Beck singled before Middlebrooks was hit with a pitch. After a two-out Snider walk, Guzman added two more runs with a single to center field.
Cubs reliever LHP Jack Leathersich unraveled in the seventh inning, walking four Express batters to drive in the team's seventh run of the day. However, the home side battled back again. Round Rock RHP Allen Webster gave up singles to Rademacher and Young before walking Happ. After a Candelario flyout, Caratini stepped to the plate and launched a game-tying grand slam to the bleachers in right field.
In the ninth, Beck worked a one-out walk then promptly stole second base. With a travel day curfew in effect, Hoying gave Round Rock the knockout blow they needed to win the series with an RBI double. Express RHP R.J. Alvarez emerged to pitch the bottom of the inning, retiring the side in order to record his first save of the year.
Round Rock now returns home for an eight-game homestand that begins on Tuesday, April 18 with a four-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers. E-Train RHP Dillon Gee (0-2, 7.20) is set to start against Storm Chasers RHP Josh Staumont (1-1, 6.75). First pitch on Bark in the Park night, presented by Action Pack Dog Center, is scheduled for 7:05 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 !
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