Round Rock Knocks off Iowa 3-1
June 7, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
DES MOINES, Iowa - For the seventh time in the season series, the Round Rock Express (35-26) picked up a victory over the Iowa Cubs (25-34) Friday night at Principal Park.
On a night dominated by pitching, a two-out, two-run home run off the bat of designated hitter Mike Bianucci proved to be the difference as the Express pushed its winning streak to three games.
E-Train southpaw Martin Perez was electric, allowing just one run over 6.0 innings on the hill while striking out four en route to his third straight quality start.
After a scoreless first, the first two Express batters were set down in the second by I-Cubs starter Chris Rusin. A ground ball up the middle by right fielder Joey Butler kept the inning alive and brought Bianucci to the plate. The right-handed hitter took Rusin's 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run shot to give the Express an early 2-0 lead. The homer was the first of the year for Bianucci after he went yard 14 times a season ago in an Express uniform.
Perez hit cruise control, retiring the I-Cubs in order in the third and fourth before running into trouble in the sixth. After forcing out the first two Iowa hitters, a double by third baseman Steve Clevenger kept the inning alive. On a 1-1 count to right fielder Junior Lake, Perez gave up another double that plated Clevenger and cut the E-Train lead in half, making the score 2-1.
The southpaw finished off the sixth before giving way to the bullpen in right-hander Johan Yan. The side-winder worked 1.1 innings before left-hander Nate Robertson picked up the last two outs in the eighth.
Round Rock put an insurance run on the board in the top of the ninth on a RBI double by shortstop Yangervis Solarte that plated first baseman Robinson Chirinos from second.
With a two-run lead, closer Cory Burns shut the door on Iowa, setting down the final three I-Cubs in order to earn his 14th save. Perez picked up the win, improving to 3-1 while Rusin (4-6) suffered the loss. The Express pitching staff allowed eight hits but stranded 10 Cubs on base as Iowa went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
The Express and I-Cubs will play a day-night doubleheader tomorrow with game one slated to start at 12:05 p.m. and game two at 7:05 p.m. The E-Train will send Jake Brigham (0-1, 9.00 ERA) to the mound in game one while the Cubs will counter with right-hander Nick Struck (3-4, 6.35 ERA). In game two, Express right-hander Josh Lindblom (6-0, 2.04 ERA) will toe the rubber. Round Rock will return to Dell Diamond on June 10 to open a four-game set against the Albuquerque Isotopes at 7:05 p.m. For 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 June 7, 2013
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- Isotopes Even Series with Strong Pitching - Albuquerque Isotopes
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- RedHawks vs. Storm Chasers - Game Notes - June 7, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
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