PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Wins Slugfest 10-9 over I-Cubs

Published on April 29, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - In a game that featured a combined 19 runs and 24 hits, the Round Rock Express (14-11) topped the Iowa Cubs (8-15) by a final score of 10-9 on Monday night in Des Moines.

The E-Train scored in each of the first five innings en route to one of their wildest wins of the season.

Base running was the key to the first Round Rock run of the evening as leadoff hitter Engel Beltre walked on five pitches to begin the game. The speedy center fielder proceeded to swipe second base and moved to third on a groundout by shortstop Jurickson Profar. Beltre came all the way around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of right fielder Jim Adduci to give Express starter Randy Wells a 1-0 cushion before stepping on the mound.

The E-Train added to that lead in the second as second baseman Yangervis Solarte and designated hitter Aaron Cunningham hit back-to-back solo shots, putting Round Rock in front 3-0.

The I-Cubs got one run back in the bottom half of the second when first baseman Brad Nelson doubled to begin the frame. Nelson eventually moved to third with two outs on a groundout. Iowa cut into the Express lead after Wells uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Nelson to cross the plate, making the score 3-1. With two outs, Wells could see his way out of the inning, but a walk to shortstop Logan Watkins prolonged the frame, bringing designated hitter Brett Jackson to the plate. Jackson took a two-out, two-strike pitch from Wells over the left-center wall, knotting the game at three apiece.

Left fielder Joey Butler allowed the game to be tied just four pitches into the third when he launched his third home run of the season as the E-Train retook the lead at 4-3. Third baseman Robinson Chirinos followed with a double and later scored on a RBI ground out by Cunningham as the Express pushed its lead to two at 5-3.

The lead again would prove to be short-lived as the Cubs put a four-spot on the board in the bottom of the third. After right fielder Ryan Sweeney singled and second baseman Brent Lillibridge reached on an error, center fielder Brian Bogusevic plated Sweeney from third on a groundout. Nelson then ripped his second double of the night off Wells, allowing Lillibridge to score, tying the game at five. One out later, left fielder Tim Torres doubled to bring Nelson home, giving the I-Cubs their first lead of the night. With two outs still on the board, Wells could not retire Watkins as he singled to plate Torres for a 7-5 lead.

The scoring spree continued to the top of the fourth as the Express put two more runs on the board, tying the game at seven. After walks to Beltre and Profar, Butler cut the lead in half two batters later with a one-out double, scoring Beltre. Another walk to Chirinos loaded the bases as Solarte brought in Profar on a sacrifice fly to knot the game at seven.

Two more runs in the bottom of the fourth put Iowa back in the driver's seat on a two-run single off the bat of Nelson.

The Express used two-out magic in the top of the fifth as Beltre singled after a pair of strikeouts to start the frame. With Profar at the plate, Beltre stole his second base of the game, putting himself in scoring position. Profar followed with a RBI double and then scored on a two-bagger off the bat of Adduci as the game reached a 9-9 tie after five and a half innings.

Wells was chased from the game after 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits. Lisalverto Bonilla took over for the right-handed starter, but failed to put up blanks as well, allowing two runs over 2.1 innings of work before being removed in lieu of southpaw Neal Cotts in the bottom of the sixth. Cotts posted the soundest outing of the night as he tossed 3.0 hitless innings to earn the victory, his third of the season.

The E-Train offense was finally held scoreless in the top of the sixth after scoring runs in each of the first five innings.

Tied at nine apiece, the Express pushed across what would prove to be the winning run in the top of the eighth. Profar led off the inning with his second double of the night and fifth double for the team. After Adduci's ground out moved the shortstop to third, Chirinos brought him in two batters later on a sacrifice fly.

Right-hander Cory Burns finished off the game with a scoreless ninth, earning his sixth save of the season.

The Express will continue the four-game set with Iowa tomorrow afternoon at 12:05 p.m. when Collin Balester (1-3, 6.17 ERA) toes the rubber for Round Rock. For tickets and more information, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 29, 2013


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