PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express Rally Past Omaha 8-7

Published on July 22, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Ryan Spilborghs provided a key two-run single in a five-run ninth and then delivered the game-winning hit in the 11th inning as the Round Rock Express rallied past the Omaha Storm Chasers 8-7 in Sunday night's Pacific Coast League action at The Dell Diamond. The Express (42-59) stopped a three-game skid with the win, which also ended a seven-game home losing streak and a six-game skid against the Storm Chasers (60-42).

Round Rock had not scored more than four runs in a home game since defeating Iowa 6-2 June 21, a 13-game stretch during which time the Express were 2-11. That came to a halt thanks to a five-run ninth during which the Express batted around and erased a 7-2 deficit.

Luis Martinez led off with a double, and walks by Guilder Rodriguez and Greg Miclat loaded the bases. With two outs, Spilborghs delivered a single to right, scoring Martinez and Rodriguez. However, the ball skipped past Omaha right fielder Derrick Robinson, allowing Miclat to score and Spilborghs to reach second. Brad Nelson followed with a towering two-run homer that cleared the Omaha bullpen beyond the right-centerfield wall, eventually sending the game to extra innings.

Luis Hernandez walked with one out in the 11th ahead of Spilborghs' game-winning single. It was only Round Rock's second victory in 52 games when trailing after eight innings, both of which came in the last six games.

That made a winner of reliever Derek Hankins (4-6), who worked around a pair of one-out walks in a scoreless top of the 11th. Starter Greg Reynolds surrendered seven runs - six earned - on 10 hits and three walks over four and two-thirds innings, his shortest outing in 18 starts this season. Round Rock's bullpen strung together six and one-third scoreless innings. Neal Cotts struck out four over two and one-thirds innings, Johan Yan worked one inning, and Aaron Heilman struck out five in two innings.

Brandon Sisk (3-2) entered the game in the 11th and took the loss. Francisley Bueno surrendered the tying run in the ninth and was charged with a blown save. Round Rock scored four of the ninth-inning runs off Jeremy Jeffress. Omaha starter Doug Davis handcuffed the Express for six innings, allowing two runs - one earned - on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts. Tommy Hottovy followed with a pair of shutout innings.

Nelson's homer was his fifth in nine games since the All-Star break and his team-leading 16th of the season. Spilborghs was 3-for-6, his first three-hit game since May 14 at Tacoma. Joey Butler was 2-for-4 with a walk, pushing his hitting streak to 12 games (20-for-48). Five of Round Rock's nine hits came after the eighth inning.

Tony Abreu was 3-for-6 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored for Omaha. David Lough, Anthony Seratelli and Robinson all added two-hit games. Omaha tallied 12 hits, only two of which came after the fifth inning.

Round Rock and Omaha conclude their four-game series Monday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch at The Dell Diamond. It will be dueling southpaws with Chad Bell (3-2, 4.15 ERA) starting for the Express opposite Storm Chasers' lefty Ryan Verdugo (6-2, 3.58 ERA).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 22, 2012


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