Round Rock Express Contain Sky Sox, Win 5-3
Published on April 23, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The first Original Thirsty Thursday of the season at Dell Diamond turned out to be a real party for fans and players alike as the Round Rock Express handled the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 5-3.
Colorado Springs instigated the scoring charge early as SS Luis Sardinas tripled off a 1-0 pitch from Round Rock starting pitcher Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez in the opening inning for the first Colorado Springs hit of the night. 1B Matt Clark hit a RBI single to score Sardinas and give Colorado Springs the early 1-0 lead, but the drama was only beginning to develop.
The E-train hitters quickly answered with a lead-off single from 3B Hanser Alberto in the bottom half of the inning. SS Thomas Field moved Alberto to second with a ground out and back-to-back walks for LF Michael Choice and RF Alex Hassan saw the bases loaded for CF Jared Hoying. Hoying put Round Rock on the board with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to bring in Alberto, leveling the game at one. The first inning continued to be a haven for the E-Train as Michael Choice added another run on a wild pitch from Gagnon, extending the lead to 2-1.
The Express provided just the right amount of run support Gonzalez needed to feel comfortable. After surrendering a lead-off walk to Sky Sox CF Ben Guez, Gonzalez retired the next three batters to shut the door on the top half of the second inning.
Round Rock's spurt of runs continued in the second with an Ed Lucas lead-off double. Lucas reached third on a wild pitch by Gagnon and scored the E-Train's third run of the game on a Clark error, putting C Brett Nicholas on first. The bombardment persisted with another Alberto single to center field that moved Nicholas to third. Field hit Round Rock's second sacrifice fly off the night to score Nicholas and put the Express up 4-1. Alberto would then score on 3B Brandon Macias' throwing error to make the score 5-1.
The two sides went quiet for the third, fourth and fifth innings as Gonzalez found his tempo and the Sky Sox supplied a fresh arm from the bullpen to end Gagnon's evening. The Sky Sox starter gave up five hits, five runs (three earned), five walks and manufactured three strikeouts over 4.0 innings of work.
Gonzalez got out of a jam in the sixth relatively unscathed as the Sky Sox put up three hits in the inning, but only scored one run to make it a 5-2 ballgame. Gonzalez finished his third start of the year with five hits, two runs (two earned), two walks and four strikeouts in 6.0 innings of labor.
Express RHP Kyuji Fujikawa threw a scoreless seventh, but the Sky Sox stayed alive to narrow the margin after RHP Spencer Patton gave up a run in the eighth, bringing the score to 5-3. RHP Jon Edwards threw a 1-2-3 inning to hush the Sky Sox and picked up his fourth save of the season.
The series finale is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch tomorrow night with a matchup between newly acquired Express RHP Jerad Eickhoff (1-0, 2.70) and Sky Sox RHP Tyler Cravy (1-1, 3.60). The festivities for tomorrow include Bud Light Friday Fireworks and March of Dimes Night. The Express will wear purple jerseys in honor of March of Dimes Night, raising awareness for healthy full-term pregnancies and post-birth assistance.
For tickets and more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 23, 2015
- Chihuahuas Chase Cats to Their Fourth Straight Loss - Sacramento River Cats
- Chihuahuas Win Third Straight Game Thursday - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Big Second Inning Lifts OKC Past Nashville - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Express Contain Sky Sox, Win 5-3 - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Outhit Dodgers, Lose 4-2 - Nashville Sounds
- Omaha's Sixteen Hits Sink Redbirds 6-5 - Memphis Redbirds
- Cuthbert Leads Hit Parade for Omaha Offense - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Reno Aces Game Information: Las Vegas 51s (6-8) at Reno Aces (8-6) - Reno Aces
- 51s Host Albuquerque & Reno April 25 - May 3 - Las Vegas Aviators
- First Place Fresno Grizzlies Return Home to Chukchansi Park this Saturday - Fresno Grizzlies
- Six-Run First Dooms Iowa in 9-2 Loss - Iowa Cubs
- Chihuahuas Announce 3-6 Cavalry at Fort Bliss as Community Engagement Teammates - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Z's Use Six Run First Inning and Beat Iowa 9-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - April 23, 2015 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Kintzler Clears Waivers, Outrighted to Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- River Cats Return to Raley Field for Second Homestand - Sacramento River Cats
- Dodgers to Honor Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma as Chesapeake Energy Community All-Stars - Oklahoma City Comets
- Celebrities to Make 'First Pitch' and 'First Swing' - Salt Lake Bees
- Redbirds Return for Weekend Homestand - Memphis Redbirds
- Antigua, Santiago Join Iowa Thursday - Iowa Cubs
- Bees Slide by Grizzlies 3-2 - Salt Lake Bees
- Additon Leads Sky Sox to Rout of Express - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Albuquerque Tops Tacoma, 5-3 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Isotopes Beat Rainiers 5-3, Bettis Tosses Seven Strong Innings - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Fresno Loses On A Game Ending Error For A Second Straight Night - Fresno Grizzlies
- Chihuahuas Beat Sacramento 13-5 Wednesday - El Paso Chihuahuas
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
