PCL1 Round Rock Express

Misques Cost Express in 5-2 Loss to 'Topes

April 28, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (12-11) committed a season-high three errors in a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Albuquerque Isotopes (12-10) Saturday night at Dell Diamond.

In a night filled with mistakes, the E-Train squandered multiple opportunities to overcome its three errors but could not cash-in as the Albuquerque pitching staff worked its way out of jams throughout the evening.

The "˜Topes started the scoring in the first as center fielder Elian Herrera began the scoring sequence with a single to left with one out. After first baseman Scott Van Slyke lined a 2-2 offering into center, Engel Beltre bobbled the ball on the exchange from his glove to his hand, allowing Herrera to advance to third. Catcher Tim Federowicz made the E-Train pay for the mistake, flying out to right but plating Herrera on the sacrifice fly and putting Albuquerque up 1-0.

The Isotope bats were held quiet for two innings, but awoke in the fourth as Albuquerque put four runs on the board, chasing Express starter Richard Bleier short of 4.0 innings on the mound. The "˜Topes took advantage of Round Rock errors again as right fielder Matt Angle led off with a single and a steal to put himself in scoring position. Bleier then walked designated hitter Rusty Ryal, but forced third baseman Brian Barden into a ground ball to shortstop Jurickson Profar. The talented middle infielder attempted to turn a double play by himself, but his throw was broken up by a hard slide from Ryal as the ball bounced into the visitor's dugout, allowing Angle to score. Left fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. and Alfredo Amezaga singled back-to-back to put the pressure back on the defense. With runners on the corners and just one out, shortstop Dee Gordon laid down a bunt that the Express were unable to get an out on as Gwynn scored and Amezaga advanced to second. After a fly out by Herrera, Van Slyke continued on his tear, singling to left to plate Amezaga for the fourth and final run of the frame. Manager Bobby Jones went to his bullpen, calling on right-hander Yoshinori Tateyama who struck out Federowicz to end the inning.

First baseman Chris McGuiness finally got the Express on the board in the fifth as the team RBI leader launched a 2-1 offering from Albuquerque starter Sean White onto the right field berm for a solo shot, making the score 5-1. That blast sparked a rally as catcher Jose Felix followed with a single and advanced to second when White walked Beltre to put two on with no outs. The rally was short-lived as the next three batters went down in order to end the fifth.

The E-Train offense came alive again in the eighth when third baseman Robinson Chirinos was plunked to begin the inning. Designated hitter Joey Butler cued a grounder to second that spun out of Amezaga's glove, putting runners on first and second. Left fielder Aaron Cunningham put the second run on the board for the Express and chased reliever Red Patterson from the game with a RBI double into the left field corner. With runners on second and third, Kelvin De La Cruz stayed away from the big bat of McGuiness, walking the first baseman on five pitches. With the pressure on, De La Cruz responded and retired the next three batters in order to strand the bases loaded and keep the Express at a three-run deficit.

The Express' last-stitch effort for a comeback was halted in the ninth when reliever Steve Ames closed the game out for his second save, allowing only a single to Chirinos. Bleier was tagged with his first loss after surrendering a season-high 10 hits and five runs (four earned) while White earned his first win of the season after starting 0-2.

The Express concludes its eight-game homestand Sunday afternoon with a 1:05 p.m. against the Albuquerque Isotopes for the series finale at Dell Diamond. Round Rock will send southpaw Brad Mills (3-0, 2.52 ERA) to the mound to face Albuquerque starter Angel Castro (2-1, 3.50 ERA). Sunday will also be H-E-B Kid's Day at Dell Diamond featuring kiddie train rights, interactive inflatable games, a post-game run of the bases and much more. All kids 12 & under will also receive a ballplayer necklace, presented by Sander Morris Harris. 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 28, 2013


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