Express Tops Sounds in Series Opener 7-4
August 16, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Round Rock Express battled back to score five runs in the top of the sixth to knock off the Nashville Sounds 7-4 in the series opener at Greer Stadium Friday night.
Despite being outhit 10-8 and seeing an early lead disappear, Round Rock fought its way back through a two-out rally in the first of five games in Nashville.
The Express started strong as right fielder Jim Adduci doubled on the fourth pitch of the game and came around to score on second baseman Alex Buchholz's single up the middle two batters later which put the E-Train in front 1-0 in the first.
Round Rock added to its lead in the third when another leadoff double eventually crossed the plate as center fielder Engel Beltre scored on a RBI single off the bat of third baseman Mike Bianucci, giving the Express a two-run cushion.
Nashville cut into the E-Train's lead in the bottom of the third, plating a run on a sacrifice fly to make the score 2-1.
Express starter Jake Brigham allowed just the one run over the first four frames, but one mistake by the right-hander turned the tables on the Express in the bottom of the fifth. Brigham allowed a leadoff single before third baseman Stephen Parker launched a two-run home run which put the Sounds ahead 3-2.
The E-Train offense immediately fired back, using a five-run, two-out rally to erase the slim Nashville lead in the top of the sixth. With two gone, designated hitter Aaron Cunningham sparked the rally with a single before first baseman Chris McGuiness broke through with a two-run shot, putting Round Rock in front 4-3. The offense wasn't done as a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for Beltre. The speedy center fielder reached on a fielding error on Sounds center fielder Kentrail Davis which allowed two more runs to cross the plate. Buchholz followed with another knock that brought the fifth run in, but Beltre was cut down at home plate for the final out of the frame.
Now with a four-run cushion, Brigham allowed one more run in the bottom of the sixth before being lifted in favor of southpaw Nate Robertson out of the Express bullpen. Robertson walked the first batter he faced which loaded the bases with just one out, but retired the next two batters to strand all three runners.
Robertson pitched through the seventh before giving way to right-hander Wilmer Font who finished off the final two innings. Font walked just one while striking out two to pick up his fourth save of the season and preserve Brigham's fifth win. Nashville starter Jimmy Nelson (3-5) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) over 5.2 innings.
The Express and Sounds continue a five-game series inside Greer Stadium at 6:35 p.m. Saturday night. After the five-game set in Nashville, the E-Train returns home for the final homestand of the regular season on Thursday, August 21 to open a five-game series against Oklahoma City. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 16, 2013
- Cubs Start Fast, But Fall to Zephyrs - Iowa Cubs
- Express Tops Sounds in Series Opener 7-4 - Round Rock Express
- Division Lead Grows After Win in Memphis - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Three-Run Seventh Leads Z's Past Iowa - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Redbirds Open Homestand with 5-2 Defeat to Omaha - Memphis Redbirds
- Sounds Lose Series Opener to Express, 7-4 - Nashville Sounds
- RedHawks Fly by Topes - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Division Lead Grows After Win in Memphis - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks Open Homestand with 3-2 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Cubs Recall Arrieta, Option Sanchez to Iowa - Iowa Cubs
- Rex McGee Celebrates Home Run For Life - Oklahoma City Comets
- Angels Option Tommy Hanson to Salt Lake - Salt Lake Bees
- Dodgers Recall Scott Van Slyke - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks vs. Isotopes - Game Notes - August 16, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Rainiers, Carol Milgard Breast Center Team Up For Pink at the Park - Tacoma Rainiers
- Aces Drop Series Finale 7-3 - Reno Aces
- River Cats Preview Homestand - Sacramento River Cats
- 2014 Pacific Coast League Conference and Division Alignment - PCL1
- Road Trip Ends on Winning Note - Oklahoma City Comets
- Oklahoma City beats Tucson - Tucson Padres
- Sounds Split Series in Reno with 7-3 Win - Nashville Sounds
- 51's Edge Zephyrs 3-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
