PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Notches Back-To-Back Walk-Offs in Doubleheader

Published on June 30, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (42-38) certainly displayed a flair for the dramatic in Thursday's doubleheader against the Iowa Cubs (38-41). In game one, DH Justin Ruggiano gave the E-Train a 4-2 walk-off victory with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh. Just hours later, 2B Hanser Alberto lined an RBI single into right field to secure yet another walk-off win, this time by a score of 5-4 in eight innings.

Ruggiano was the hero of game one, blasting a pair of two-run homers in the 4-2 Express victory. E-Train LHP Jimmy Reyes turned in a solid performance in what was his first start of the season. In the first inning, CF John Andreoli notched a leadoff double before flyouts from 2B Tommy La Stella and RF Mark Zagunis allowed Andreoli to tag his way home. Reyes recovered from the early hiccup to not allow another run in five total innings on the mound. The lefty gave up six hits and a walk while striking out one in the no decision.

Fresh off a two week stint on the disabled list, Ruggiano blasted his first home run in the fourth inning. After 3B Joey Gallo doubled, Ruggiano sent a 2-1 offering whizzing just over the wall in left field, giving Round Rock its first lead of the day at 2-1.

Iowa responded in the sixth as 1B Jeimer Candelario evened the game with one swing of the bat, a solo home run off Express reliever LHP Andrew Faulkner (4-0, 6.00). The lefty earned the win despite recording his fourth blown save of the season. Faulkner allowed just the solo home run in two otherwise perfect innings of relief.

Gallo recorded a leadoff walk to set the tone in the bottom of the seventh as Ruggiano then stepped to the plate and demolished his second home run of the contest, a towering shot that careened into the Express bullpen to give Round Rock the 4-2 victory. I-Cubs LHP Gerardo Concepcion (1-1, 3.44) suffered the loss after allowing the ill-fated longball.

Just like in game one, Iowa grabbed an early lead in game two as RF Juan Perez smoked a solo home run to left field with one out in the top of the first inning. E-Train starter LHP Juan Grullon then turned on a dime, striking out the last two batters before facing the minimum in both the second and third innings.

Round Rock jumped ahead thanks to an explosive third inning. CF Delino DeShields led things off with a single before RF Ryan Strausborger collected a walk. The red-hot Kyle Kubitza then notched his third home run of the homestand, a three-run bomb that gave the Express a 3-1 advantage. The Cubs responded immediately in the bottom of the frame thanks to a leadoff homer from Perez.

Iowa then reclaimed the lead with a pair of extra-base in the sixth inning. Zagunis welcomed Express reliever RHP Francisco Mendoza (1-1, 3.82) to the game with a triple that rolled all the way to the wall in right field. An ensuing flyout off the bat of DH Matt Murton allowed Zagunis to tag and score the game-tying run. In the next at-bat, Candelario walked then came around to score on a double courtesy of 2B Logan Watkins. Mendoza would later record the win despite allowing two runs on four hits in three innings of work.

A last-ditch two-out rally knotted the game at four in the bottom of the seventh. Down to their final batter, E-Train C Patrick Cantwell singled to keep the dream alive. The speedy catcher then took second on a wild pitch by Cubs reliever RHP Corey Black. A line drive double off the bat of DeShields allowed Cantwell to come flying home, evening the contest once again.

The Express used another two-out rally to claim the win in the bottom of the eighth. This time, 1B Drew Robinson kicked things off by drawing a walk then stealing second base. Alberto then smoked a line drive single into right-center field, allowing Robinson to come scampering home for the team's unprecedented second walk-off victory of the day.

The two teams will continue their series Friday evening with LHP Rob Zastryzny (4-1, 5.05) set to take the mound for Iowa against a Round Rock starter that has yet to be announced. First pitch on Bud Light Friday Fireworks night at Dell Diamond is set for 7:05 p.m. The contest also marks the beginning of Red, White and Blue Weekend, presented by eBay. Fans are encouraged to wear red to the game to kick off the Fourth of July weekend.

Single game tickets are available along with season ticket packages and group discounts. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 30, 2016


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