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Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express Drop Opener to Tacoma 12-7

August 7, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Carlos Peguero's two-run double capped a four-run sixth inning and propelled the Tacoma Rainiers to a 12-7 victory over the Round Rock Express in Sunday night's Pacific Coast League action at The Dell Diamond. The Express (68-48) surrendered double-digit runs for the first time since July 26 and only the third time since the All-Star break. The Rainiers (58-58) improved to 3-2 on their current road trip.

Round Rock trailed 6-0 entering the bottom of the second but battled back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second and a Joey Butler leadoff homer in the fourth. The Express tied the game in the fifth on Butler's two-run triple and Matt Kata's RBI single, both of which came with two outs.

However, the Rainiers answered immediately and never relinquished the lead. Johan Limonta drew a bases-loaded walk to snap the 6-6 tie, and Alex Liddi followed with a run-scoring fielder's choice. After another walk, Peguero ripped a double to center. Tacoma added solo spots in the seventh and eighth innings. Brad Nelson's one-out solo homer in the eighth was Round Rock's only other run after the fifth inning.

Tacoma starter Erasmo Ramirez (2-0) was the beneficiary of the Rainiers' four-run sixth and was credited with the win. He allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk over 5.0 innings with one strikeout.

Express starter Brett Tomko (5-5) suffered the loss. He surrendered nine runs on eight hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. Tomko struck out a season-high eight batters, but three of the four walks he issued scored. Merkin Valdez surrendered two runs in 1.2 innings, while Tanner Scheppers yielded a run on four hits and a walk over two innings. The Express bullpen had allowed only three runs in its previous 28.2 innings and no runs in its previous 17.1 innings at The Dell Diamond.

Peguero started the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the top of the first. Matt Tuiasosopo added a two-run single. The Rainiers pushed their lead to 6-0 in the second on Limonta's RBI single and Liddi's two-run homer. Leonys Martin got the Express on the board with a two-out, two-run double in the second.

Butler, Kata and Nelson all had two-hit games for the Express.

Peguero and Liddi both were 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Greg Halman, Jose Yepez and Sean Kazmar had two hits each.

Round Rock and Tacoma continue their four-game series Monday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch at The Dell Diamond. Right-hander Eric Hurley (6-0, 3.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Express, while southpaw Nate Robertson (3-5, 7.20 ERA) is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Rainiers.

Round Rock Express Baseball, owned and operated by Ryan Sanders Baseball, LP, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and a member of the Pacific Coast League.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 7, 2011


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