PCL1 Round Rock Express

Pair of Homers Sinks Express in 4-2 Loss

Published on August 23, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - An early 2-0 lead disappeared on a pair of sixth inning home runs as the Round Rock Express (70-64) fell to the Oklahoma City RedHawks (76-58) 4-2 Friday night at Dell Diamond.

The RedHawks late charge erased a two-run advantage the Express built in the third, while Oklahoma City's pitching staff held off a late E-Train surge to secure a victory in the third of five games between the clubs.

Oklahoma City starter Asher Wojciechowski blanked the Express through the first two innings, but Round Rock tagged the right-hander for two runs in the third to take an early lead. One out into the frame, the E-Train strung together four consecutive hits including a RBI double off the bat of first baseman Jim Adduci and a RBI single from center fielder Engel Beltre for the two-run advantage.

Express starter Josh Lindblom was perfect through the first 4.1 innings, retiring all 13 batters in a row before allowing a single to first baseman Jonathan Singleton in the fifth. Finding himself in a two-on, one-out jam after permitting another knock, Lindblom worked out of the inning to hold the two-run lead.

After being held dormant through the first five innings, Oklahoma City responded in the sixth. Left fielder Trevor Crowe put the first RedHawk run on the board with a solo shot, while two batters later, center fielder George Springer gave Oklahoma City the lead with a two-run blast.

Lindblom exited after 6.0 strong innings, turning in his ninth quality start of the season by allowing just the three runs. The combination of Joseph Ortiz and Ben Rowen held the RedHawks in check, keeping the deficit at just one-run through the eighth.

The Express found its best opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth when the speedy Beltre began the inning with a single. Second baseman Yangervis Solarte played small ball, sacrificing Beltre to second before the center fielder moved to third on a wild pitch by RedHawks reliever Jason Stoffel. Just 90 feet from knotting the game at three, Beltre was stranded at third after Stoffel retired the next two E-Train batters to preserve the one-run advantage.

The RedHawks tacked on an insurance run off right-hander Cory Burns in the top of the ninth, giving Oklahoma City at two-run cushion as the Express grabbed their bats for the final frame of offense.

Round Rock went quietly in the ninth as Lindblom (8-3) suffered just his second loss as a starter, while Wojciechowski (9-6) picked up the win after Jorge De Leon saved his fifth game.

The five-game series between the Express and RedHawks continues Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Evan Meek (6-7, 3.74 ERA) will take the hill for Round Rock, while Oklahoma City counters with right-hander Bobby Doran (2-0, 3.86 ERA). Saturday will be Shirt Off The Back Night at Dell Diamond, presented by Carino's in which fans will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets that will be drawn after the game for a chance to win jerseys right off the player's backs. Proceeds from the raffle benefit Autism Speaks. For more information on the Express, 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 August 23, 2013


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