Round Rock Surges Past Las Vegas After Big Night from Sam Huff
July 3, 2023 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Round Rock Express News Release
LAS VEGAS, Nevada - The Round Rock Express (2-3 | 46-33) took down the Las Vegas Aviators (3-2 | 37-42) by a final score of 13-2 at Las Vegas Ballpark on Sunday evening.
Express reliever RHP Ryan Tepera (3-0, 0.00) went home with the win after 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball that included one hit, two walks and three strikeouts. Aviators RHP Colton Eastman (0-8, 6.63) went home with the loss after he allowed one run on two hits with one strikeout over one inning.
Along the Train Tracks:
Express LF Elier Hernandez got the offense started in the fourth inning. After both teams were held scoreless in the first three innings, Hernandez smacked a solo shot to left field and the E-Train led 1-0.
C Sam Huff followed the lead of Hernandez and added another home run for Round Rock in the sixth inning. A liner snuck out to left field and extended the lead to 2-0.
With two outs in the seventh inning, Express CF Bubba Thompson joined the home run party and made it a 3-0 game. The home run ignited a four-run frame for Round Rock as SS Jonathan Ornelas walked and 3B Davis Wendzel singled. A walk for 1B Blaine Crim brought Huff to the plate and his single scored two more runs. Hernandez capped off the scoring in the frame with a single that added one more and made it a 6-0 game.
The Express earned the knockout punch in the eighth inning. Back-to-back doubles for RF Sandro Fabian and 2B Dio Arias allowed a run to score. With one out, Ornelas singled to score Arias and Round Rock led, 8-0. The E-Train loaded the bases with a Wendzel single and a walk for Crim. Huff came up next and launched a grand slam to increase the lead to 12-0.
Las Vegas ended the shutout in the bottom of the eighth. After SS Nick Allen walked, 2B Zack Gelof belted a two-run home run to cut the lead to 12-2.
Round Rock added one more in the ninth. After loading the bases, Crim singled to score a run. With the Express leading 13-2, RHP Yerry Rodriguez entered and threw a scoreless ninth inning to secure the win.
E-Train Excerpts:
C Sam Huff led the Express with a 3-for-5 night that included two home runs, seven RBI, two runs scored, a walk and a strikeout. The seven RBI were a career high for Huff. His previous high of six came on August 27, 2022 at Albuquerque.
LF Elier Hernandez posted a 3-for-5 game with a home run, two RBI, a run scored and a strikeout. Hernandez is now batting .330 (91-276) on the season which is seventh in the Pacific Coast League. His 91 hits are the most in the PCL and his 153 total bases are fourth.
Express reliever LHP Taylor Hearn came out of the bullpen and did not allow a run in 2.1 innings. He allowed one hit, one walk and five strikeouts. In his last four outings, the southpaw has posted a 1.29 ERA (1 ER/7.0 IP) with six hits, three walks and 13 strikeouts.
Next up: Round Rock will get set for the series finale against the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland Athletics affiliate) on Monday night from Las Vegas Ballpark at 8:05 p.m. CT. Express RHP Robert Dugger (3-4, 4.43) will get the baseball as the Aviators have yet to name a starter.
Single game tickets as well as full season and mini seasonmembership plans are on sale now. For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
#RR#
The Round Rock Express Baseball Club, owned and operated by Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment, is the proud Triple-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers and a member of the Pacific Coast League.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 3, 2023
- Express Lock up Series Finale Over Aviators - Round Rock Express
- Albuquerque Completes Comeback Win, 11-10, for Fifth-Straight Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Season-High Crowd of 7,371 Wraps Holiday Weekend at Cheney Stadium - Tacoma Rainiers
- Cecconi Silences Sacramento in Reno's 7-0 Shutout - Reno Aces
- Bees Split Series with 11-2 Victory - Salt Lake Bees
- Albuquerque Edges El Paso, 11-10 - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Late Rally Comes Up Shy for Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Dodgers Earn 5-2 Win Against Space Cowboys - Oklahoma City Comets
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - July 3, 2023 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Jonathan Morales, Phillips Valdez Sweep Weekly PCL Awards - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Series Preview: Sacramento in Town for Independence Week - Salt Lake Bees
- Reno Aces Return Home July 4th for 6-Game Set vs. Tacoma - Reno Aces
- Salt Lake Pitchers Throw Gem in Bees Win - Salt Lake Bees
- Celebrate Independence Day with the OKC Dodgers; Home Series Continues Through Sunday - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Surges Past Las Vegas After Big Night from Sam Huff - Round Rock Express
- Space Cowboys Drop Sunday Night Contest with Dodgers - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Morales Hits for the Cycle as Isotopes Hammer Chihuahuas, 20-2 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Dodgers Earn 8-2 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
