PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Takes Series Opener 9-5 Over

June 23, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Behind nine runs on 12 hits, the Round Rock Express (44-33) knocked off the Albuquerque Isotopes (42-35) in the first of four road games 9-5 Saturday night.

Express starter Jake Brigham was stellar, allowing just one unearned run over a season-high 7.0 innings of work to earn his first victory of the season.

Albuquerque was first to put a run on the board, scoring in the bottom of the first. After designated hitter Matt Kemp reached on a fielding error, he was brought home on a RBI single off the bat of right fielder Alex Castellanos as the Isotopes took a 1-0 lead.

Round Rock fired back in the top of the second, knotting the game at one apiece when left fielder Aaron Cunningham launched his fifth home run of the season.

Brigham went on to blank the "˜Topes over his final 6.0 innings of work, turning in his first quality start of the season.

In the top of the sixth, the Express started a rally after center fielder Engel Beltre and designated hitter Jared Hoying singled to begin the frame. Beltre reached third on Hoying's single but was thrown out when he was caught in a rundown between third and home on a ground ball back to pitcher Red Patterson by second baseman Yangervis Solarte. Hoying moved to third on the play and scored when third baseman Mike Olt reached on a fielder's choice and throwing error by "˜Topes first baseman Scott Van Slyke.

Leading 2-1, the E-Train opened the game up in the seventh inning. After first baseman Chris McGuiness walked and catcher Eli Whiteside singled, Round Rock looked to have another rally started against Albuquerque. Shortstop Leury Garcia gave the Express a four-run lead with one swing of the bat, smacking a three-run homer over the left field wall to make the score 5-1.

The "˜Topes rallied in the eighth, loading the bases with one out on E-Train reliever Johan Yan. Yan buckled down, striking out Kemp but then allowed a two-run single to pinch hitter Matt Angle which cut the score to 5-3 before the inning came to a close.

In the ninth, the Express offense gave the bullpen some breathing room by putting four more runs on the board. After Garcia tripled to begin the frame and pinch hitter Joey Butler drew a walk, Hoying ripped his third home run to right field for a three-run blast. Solarte followed with his ninth homer of the season as the E-Train went back-to-back off Isotopes reliever Kyle Cofield. The inning finally ended but the Express had built a 9-3 advantage entering the bottom of the ninth.

After Yan loaded the bases again with two outs, shortstop Dee Gordon singled in two runs to bring the E-Train lead back down to four at 9-5. That would be all for Yan as Round Rock turned to right-hander Ryan Rodebaugh with runners on first and third. Gordon moved into scoring position on a defensive indifference but Rodebaugh set down Kemp on three straight strikes to end the game and earn his first save.

The Express will continue its road trip Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. with game two of a four-game set with the Isotopes. Right-hander Evan Meek (1-3, 4.55 ERA) will take the mound to be opposed by Albuquerque starter Matt Palmer (3-3, 4.29). 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 June 23, 2013


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