PCL1 Round Rock Express

Ramirez's Homer Lifts Express to 7-6 Win

Published on July 13, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


PAPILLION, NE - Tied at six with two outs in the ninth inning, Manny Ramirez blasted his second home run of the season to power the Round Rock Express (53-43) to a dramatic 7-6 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers (43-52) Friday night.

After a solid performance from starter Jake Brigham, the Express bullpen allowed five runs in the eighth but Ramirez saved the day with his timely long ball.

Brigham dealt from his first pitch to his last, racking up seven strikeouts through six innings on the mound including punching out the side in the second. The right-hander logged his fourth consecutive quality start but did not receive a decision after the bullpen failed to hold the lead.

The Storm Chasers did touch up Brigham for a run in the fourth when center fielder Paulo Orlando singled in right fielder Willy Taveras with two outs to give Omaha a 1-0 lead.

Round Rock's offense responded in the fifth behind four runs on four hits. After right fielder Jared Hoying singled to begin the frame, Omaha reliever Sam Runion hit left fielder Aaron Cunningham putting runners on first and second. Runion then uncorked a wild pitch that moved the runners into scoring position before third baseman Mike Olt grounded out, but the play allowed Hoying to cross the plate to tie the game at one apiece. Back-to-back doubles off the bats of first baseman Chris McGuiness and catcher Eli Whiteside knocked in two more runs before second baseman Yangervis Solarte capped the scoring with a RBI single, giving the E-Train a 4-1 advantage.

In the top of the seventh, the Express added two more runs on Solarte's two-run home run which pushed the lead to five at 6-1.

Brigham exited after six innings of work, giving way to reliever Nate Robertson. After a scoreless seventh, Robertson ran into trouble in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs. The southpaw forced a ground out but Omaha scored a run on the play to cut the lead to four. A wild pitch in the next at-bat allowed the second run to score before Robertson issued a walk to put runners on first and third. The E-Train called on Johan Yan out of the bullpen but the side-winding right-hander walked a batter before giving up a run on a RBI ground out. With two outs, a soft single to left plated two more runs to tie the game at six. The inning eventually came to a close but not before a five-run frame knotted the game.

After the first two batters of the Express ninth were retired, designated hitter Manny Ramirez stepped to the plate and stepped out to left. The newly acquired power hitter launched a two-out solo shot to deliver the final blow and a 7-6 lead. Right-hander Ben Rowen finished off the game with a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his second save and give Yan (2-1) the win in relief.

The Express and Storm Chasers continue a four-game series in Papillion, NE with game three Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Southpaw Brad Mills (7-4, 3.98 ERA) is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Express while the Storm Chasers will counter with left-hander Justin Marks (3-9, 5.97 ERA). 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 July 13, 2013


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