Nicholas Grand Slam Caps off Wild 15-9 Win over Nashville
June 1, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - For the second straight game, the Round Rock Express (29-23) bullpen couldn't sustain a late lead as the Nashville Sounds (32-21) scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the contest at eight. However, a 10th inning grand slam off the bat of E-Train C Brett Nicholas capped off a seven-run frame as Round Rock held on to win 15-9, snapping Nashville's nine-game winning streak.
Express RHP Chad Smith (3-2, 12.54) picked up the win despite a disastrous ninth inning in which he allowed six runs on four hits, including two home runs. Nashville RHP Ryan Brasier (3-2, 3.96) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs on three hits in the fateful 10th inning.
The E-Train wasted little time burying any lingering thoughts about last night's 7-6 walkoff defeat. DH Justin Ruggiano led off the second inning by reaching first base safely after a fielding error by SS Josh Rodriguez. Following an Ike Davis popout, CF Ryan Strausborger singled on a liner to center field. Rodriguez' second error of the inning then allowed 2B Edwin Garcia to reach safely, loading the bases for SS Doug Bernier.
The former Minnesota Twins infielder delivered with a line drive to center field that scored Ruggiano and Strausborger. The early scoring barrage continued three hitters later as Nicholas grounded a base hit past 3B Renato Nunez to score Garcia. 3B Joey Gallo flew out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Round Rock stretched its lead to 7-0 thanks to a big two-out rally in the fourth inning. After Bernier drew a one-out walk, LF James Jones pushed his shortstop to second with a groundout. In the next at-bat, RF Drew Robinson grounded a 3-2 pitch through the middle infield to score Bernier. With still two outs in the frame, Nicholas walked to bring Gallo back to the plate. The slugger stepped up and drilled a fly ball over the wall in the deepest part of center field. The three-run shot gave the E-Train a commanding 7-0 lead.
Nashville scored their only run of the game off Express starter RHP Michael Roth in the fifth inning. Rodriguez jumped aboard with a leadoff walk before CF Jaycob Brugman singled. Last night's walkoff hero, 2B Chad Pinder, then advanced both of his runners 90 feet with a groundout. Nunez scored Rodriguez with a long fly ball to center field that allowed the shortstop to tag and score.
Yet another dominant start by Roth was overshadowed by the late game theatrics. The lefty surrendered just one run on six hits over the span of five innings on the hill. Roth walked two and struck out one in the sweltering Tennessee heat.
The Sounds added another run in the seventh. With RHP Francisco Mendoza on to pitch, Rodriguez notched a one-out single. A triple off Brugman's bat in the next plate appearance scored Rodriguez to reset the score at 7-2. Strausborger responded to the sequence of events by launching a solo home run in the top of the eighth, regaining a six-run advantage for the E-Train.
Round Rock's second six-run lead of the day proved to be a fleeting moment in time as Smith returned from a 37-day stay on the disabled list only to allow six runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at eight. The rally began like so many before it, with Rodriguez reaching safely on a single. A one-out walk to Pinder proved to be costly as Nunez launched a three-run homer in the next at-bat, cutting the Express lead to 8-5.
The rally continued as DH Ryon Healy singled. With two outs and a chance to end the game, Gallo bobbled a routine ground ball before making a wild throw to first, allowing Healy to score while C Matt McBride took first. The mistake again proved to be costly as RF Matt Olson greeted Smith with a two-run homer deep over the wall in right field, evening things at eight.
As if the matinee contest wasn't wild enough already, the Express dropped seven runs in the top of the 10th inning to regain a commanding lead at 15-8. Ruggiano started things with a walk before Strausborger singled. Garcia then broke the tie with a line drive single to left field that scored Ruggiano. With a new found sense of momentum, Bernier reached safely on a fielder's choice that also eliminated Strausborger at home.
Jones then took a pitch off the top of his right foot to load the bases for Robinson. During the right fielder's at-bat, Brasier skipped a pitch through the dirt past his catcher, leaving Garcia just enough time to fly home from third. Robinson would draw a walk to re-load the bases. Perhaps weary of his team's bullpen struggles over the last 24 hours, Nicholas blasted a grand slam to break the game wide open once again.
The late rally continued as Gallo drew a walk then came around to score on a Ruggiano double, pushing the E-Train lead to 15-8. Davis would draw a two-out walk of his own, but Strausborger lined out in his second at-bat of the inning to send the contest to the bottom of the 10th.
With a nine-game winning streak on the line, the Sounds wouldn't go down without a fight. After striking out Rodriguez, Express reliever RHP Anthony Carter gave up back-to-back doubles to Brugman and Pinder to reset the score at 15-9. The righty recovered by striking out Nunez. Carter then enticed Healy to pop out, eliminating any possibility of another improbable Nashville comeback.
Round Rock and Nashville are set to continue their eventful series tomorrow evening. E-Train RHP Kyle Lohse (2-0, 4.08) is scheduled to toe the rubber against Sounds RHP Zach Neal (5-1, 2.53). Game three at First Tennessee Park is slated to begin at 7:05 p.m.
Single game tickets are available along with season ticket packages and group discounts. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
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