Round Rock Drops Season Opener to Memphis 8-4
April 6, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Memphis Redbirds (1-0) showed why they're the defending Pacific Coast League Champions on Thursday night, flying past the Round Rock Express (0-1) by a final score of 8-4. Memphis used a five-run sixth inning to jump ahead before holding off a late Round Rock rally.
Express starter RHP David Ledbetter (0-1, 5.40) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in five innings. The righty struck out three without issuing a walk. On the winning side, Redbirds RHP John Gant (1-0, 1.50) surrendered just one run on six hits and a pair of walks while striking out five.
The visitors opened the scoring in the second inning as DH Rangel Ravelo singled before RF Adolis Garcia took Ledbetter deep, giving his team an early 2-0 lead. Round Rock responded in the third thanks to a Jose Cardona double that scored 2B Andy Ibanez, who had singled two hitters prior.
Memphis responded immediately, regaining a two-run lead in the fourth as Ravelo was hit with a pitch before singles from C Carson Kelly and 3B Patrick Wisdom plated a run.
The Redbirds blew the game wide open in the sixth. Ravelo and Kelly welcomed RHP Tyler Wagner to the game with back-to-back singles. Wisdom then doubled home Ravelo to open the scoring in the frame. After a Wilfredo Tovar sacrifice fly scored another run, Oscar Mercado worked a walk. 2B Max Schrock put the game away with a three-run homer to right field, boosting the Memphis lead to 8-1.
Round Rock attempted to rally in the eighth. With RHP Derian Gonzalez on the mound, LF Willie Calhoun and 1B Ronald Guzman worked back-to-back singles to begin the inning. 3B Trevor Plouffe responded in his Express debut, shooting a double down the left field line that scored Calhoun. An ensuing Destin Hood single cut the gap to 8-3, then Christian Lopes grounded into a double play that left just enough time for Plouffe to score from third.
However, the E-Train rally fell short as Redbirds RHP Preston Guilmet retired five of the last six hitters to preserve the 8-4 win for Memphis.
The two teams will face off again on Friday night with Express RHP Adrian Sampson (0-0, 0.00) set to take the mound against Redbirds RHP Dakota Hudson (0-0, 0.00). First pitch at Dell Diamond is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Single-game tickets, season memberships and flex plan ticket packages are on sale now. For more information on the Express, visit RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
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