Rejuvenated Express Bats Come up Big in Colorado Springs
Published on April 15, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - After what seemed like potential déjà vu, the Round Rock Express offense came alive in the Rocky Mountains and defeated the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 7-6. The Sky Sox scored three runs in the first inning for the second game in a row, but the Express hitters halted any notion of a repeat. A six-run, four-hit fourth inning propelled the Express to a lead that they would not surrender.
Express right-hander David Martinez was a late addition to the starting rotation after RHP Anthony Ranaudo was called up to the Rangers, but Martinez powered through the outing. A shaky start saw Martinez and the Express down 4-0 in the first two innings, but a strong third inning kept the score close. Martinez finished the game with 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB and 1 K.
The fourth inning proved to be the difference maker for the E-Train on Tuesday night. Michael Choice drew a lead-off walk and was immediately moved to third on a Jared Hoying single. Colorado Springs starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann then hit 1B Kyle Blanks with a pitch, sending Hoying to second with hot-hitting 2B Ed Lucas due up and the bases loaded. Lucas extended his hit streak to six games with a single that scored Choice from third, narrowing the Sky Sox lead to 4-1. Express LF Alex Hassan followed suit with a single of his own, plating Hoying and Blanks and bringing the score to 4-3 still in favor of Colorado Springs. Jungmann then hit another Express batsman, putting 3B Trever Adams on first and advancing the runners.
Jungmann continued to implode with a wild pitch that scored both Ed Lucas and Alex Hassan to give Round Rock a 5-4 lead. Hanser Alberto notched the last RBI of the inning with a single to center field that brought Adams in to score. All in all, the Express scored six runs in the fourth inning on four hits with one man left on base. Jungmann finished the night with 4.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB and 5 K and took the loss.
RHP Edwar Cabrera entered the game for Round Rock after the dust cleared from the top half of the fourth inning in relief of Martinez and managed to keep the Sky Sox at bay. Cabrera tallied two quick outs before hitting Sky Sox LF Matt Long with a pitch, but would get out of the inning four pitches later getting Elian Herrera to ground into a force out. Cabrera would go on to earn the win after pitching 3.0 innings with 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB and struck out four Sky Sox.
RHP Spencer Patton took over for Cabrera in the seventh inning and continued to protect the lead. Patton went 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB and 5 K. Patton's eighth inning was particularly critical as he shut down the side in order with each batter striking out swinging.
RHP Jon Edwards was optioned back to the Express earlier this afternoon and pitched ninth-inning relief.. He certainly provided a dramatic finish to the game, giving up a two-run home run to Colorado Springs 1B Matt Clark in the bottom of the ninth that cut the lead to one run. Edwards got Jason Rogers to ground out for the first out of the inning, but Shane Peterson kept the Sky Sox alive with a single to left field. After a quick mound visit, Edwards locked-in and struck out the remaining Colorado Springs hitters to get the save. Edwards went 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER and 2 K for the night.
The Express have two games remaining in Colorado Springs before coming home to Dell Diamond on Friday, April 17. RHP Luke Jackson (0-1, 11.25) will get the start on Wednesday night against Sky Sox RHP John Ely (0-0, 14.73). Jackson went 4.0 innings in his first start of the season against Oklahoma City on 4/10 giving up 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 2 HR and totaled 2 K. Wednesday's first pitch is set for 7:35 p.m. CDT at Security Service Field in Colorado Springs.
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