PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Rallies for 5-3 Victory over Tacoma

August 15, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (65-61) mounted a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth to earn a 5-3 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers (66-60) in the series finale Thursday night at Dell Diamond.

One night after losing two three-run leads, the Express completed a comeback of their own, scoring four runs on three hits before blanking the Rainiers over the final three innings for the victory.

After Tacoma starter Taijuan Walker mowed down the first four Express batters of the game, three via the strikeout, second baseman Alex Buchholz jumped on a 2-0 offering and deposited it over the left field wall. The solo shot gave the E-Train a 1-0 lead, the second time in as many nights that Round Rock scored the game's first run.

Express starter Travis Blackley cruised through the first three innings in his first action since joining the E-Train one day after being traded by the Houston Astros. He threw a total of 40 pitches, 22 strikes.

Blackley gave way to southpaw Ryan Feierabend out of the bullpen to begin the fourth. After retiring the first two batters, Tacoma rallied as a walk and a double tied the game at one. The Rainiers backed up the double with a single that put Tacoma ahead 2-1.

Tacoma added to its lead in the sixth, scoring on an error by Feierabend when the southpaw was unable to come up with a toss at first base from first baseman Chris McGuiness which allowed the Rainiers to plate a runner from third.

The Express rallied in the bottom half of the sixth, drawing a pair of walks to start the frame before left fielder Joey Butler delivered a RBI single to bring the E-Train within one. Two batters later, Buchholz knocked in his second run of the evening with a RBI single of his own, knotting the game at three apiece. Buchholz's knock chased Walker from the game, forcing the Rainiers to dip into their bullpen as Jonathan Arias entered the game in relief. While pitching to his first batter with runners on first and third, a balk by Arias allowed Butler to cross the plate before designated hitter Aaron Cunningham singled in the final run of the inning, giving the E-Train a 5-3 lead after six.

Feierabend worked through the eighth inning, logging 5.0 innings while allowing three runs (two earned) before exiting the game as closer Cory Burns took over in the ninth.

Burns closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his 18th save and preserve the win for Feierabend (6-4). Walker suffered the loss after allowing five runs over 5.1 innings of work, dropping to 3-3.

The Express will hit the road for five games in Nashville before returning home to the friendly confines of Dell Diamond on August 21 to face the Oklahoma City RedHawks. The five-game set against Oklahoma City will be the final homestand of the E-Train's regular season campaign. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 15, 2013


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