Rangers Nip Express in Exhibition Game 10-8
Published on April 2, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Adrian Beltre, Josh Hamilton and Mitch Moreland all homered as the Texas Rangers out-slugged the Round Rock Express 10-8 in an exhibition game Monday night at The Dell Diamond. This was the Rangers' first game in Texas since last fall's World Series.
Beltre's three-run shot in the top of the first got the scoring started. Hamilton added a 426-foot, two-run blast off the top of the groundskeeper's shed beyond the centerfield wall in the top of the third. Moreland ripped a solo homer into the Express bullpen in left-center with two outs in the top of the sixth. Shortly thereafter, the Rangers starters trotted to the clubhouse to a standing ovation from the 11,889 fans in attendance.
The game was nip-and-tuck the entire way, though, as the Express also hit three homers. Yangervis Solarte hammered a two-run shot off Rangers starter Derek Holland in the bottom of the first. Luis Hernandez had a solo homer in the second, and Michael Bianucci added a three-run blast in the seventh.
The teams combined for 28 hits - 14 for extra-bases.
Ian Kinsler was 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored for the Rangers. Jurickson Profar, considered by most the top prospect in the Rangers organization, replaced starter Elvis Andrus at shortstop and went 2-for-2 with an RBI double.
Solarte, Julio Borbon and Leonys Martin all had two-hit games for the Express.
Holland picked up the victory in a predetermined short start. He allowed three runs on six hits, including two homers, over 3.0 innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Johan Yan, Koji Uehara, Sean Green and Ben Snyder each logged an inning of work for the Rangers before Tanner Scheppers hurled 2.0 scoreless innings for the save.
Express starter Greg Reynolds allowed five runs on six hits, including two home runs, over 3.0 innings with one walk and two strikeouts. Martin Perez, Mark Hamburger, Zach Jackson, Justin Miller and Michael Kirkman also worked on the mound for the Express, each working 1.0 inning save Jackson who went two frames.
Round Rock opens its 2012 season Thursday, starting a four-game series against the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines, Iowa. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CDT. The Express open their home schedule April 13 with a 7:05 p.m. game against the I-Cubs.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 2, 2012
- Rangers Nip Express in Exhibition Game 10-8 - Round Rock Express
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- No Tickets Remain for Tonight's Rangers Exhibition Game - Round Rock Express
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