PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock tops New Orleans

Published on June 20, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK - Fans of pitcher duels and wild endings got a treat Saturday night at the Dell Diamond, and fortunately for Round Rock (31-38) fans, the home team topped New Orleans (33-37) in extra innings, 5-4.

In a 4-4 game with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning, Tommy Manzella hit a swinging bunt back to pitcher Nate Field, who threw home to start the double play from home to first. But catcher Brett Hayes' throw to first was high, and slipped out of first baseman John Lindsey's glove, getting just far enough away to allow Chad Spann to score the winning run from second.

But the drama started building in the top of the 11th, when the game was tied 0-0.

New Orleans' Manny Mayorson hit a line drive single - with one out off of Express reliever Geoff Geary - that just made it over second baseman Chad Spann's glove to bring home Dave Matranga for the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning. Gaby Sanchez put a stamp on the lead when he followed with a three-run shot onto the left field berm.

The Express wasn't going quietly.

Mark Saccomanno added a solo shot in the bottom of the 11th, and New Orleans reliever Chris Mobley had trouble minimizing the damage from there. Jason Smith ripped a single up the middle, then moved to second on a wild pitch. Chris Johnson grounded into what appeared to be a routine ground ball to third, but Sanchez sailed the throw into the stands, allowing Smith to score, and put Johnson on second. That put the onus on J.R. Towles, who walked to bring up pinch-hitter John Gall with runners on first and second.

New Orleans then brought in relief pitcher Nate Field - who had already allowed two runs on Friday night to close out a 7-6 win for the Zephyrs in extra innings.

Field stumbled and Gall came through, ripping a single to left field to score Johnson and put runners at first and third. So with the score at 4-3, Chad Spann came up with a chance to tie the game, and did just that with a line drive double down the third base line. With runners at second and third, Field intentionally walked Reggie Abercrombie to load the bases and put the double play in order for Manzella. One bad throw later, the Express walked off with a win.

Before the game got crazy, there was actually some impressive pitching on display.

Round Rock starter Bud Norris had a no-hitter through 5 1/3 innings, and exited after eight innings with no runs allowed on three hits and 10 strikeouts - a season high for California native, who continues to lead the PCL in strikeouts this season with 82. He also leads the league with a 2.11 ERA.

For his part, New Orleans starter Rick VandenHurk was pretty sharp, as well. The Dutch right-hander allowed no runs on three hits with six strikeouts over six innings of work.

Round Rock's best threat of the first nine innings came when Abercrombie led off the bottom of the eighth with a well-placed bunt single down the third base line, and after Manzella failed to move him over with a bunt, Brian Bogusevic came through with a fisted single to shallow right field to put runners at first and second for Saccomanno. The Express first baseman flew out to shallow left center field, putting the pressure on Smith with runners on first and second with two outs. Smith got good wood on the offering from Jay Buente, but New Orleans right-fielder Jai Miller was able to run down the looping fly ball to end the threat.

The two teams meet for the series finale Sunday night at 7:05 p.m., and Round Rock will send seven-game winner Yorman Bazardo to the mound to face the Zephyrs and southpaw Willie Collazo.

Sunday will be Kids' Day at the Dell Diamond with Express baseball gloves for all kids 12 and under, pre-game catch on the field from 5:30-6:15 p.m. (all parents planning on participating should bring a glove and a ball) and the running of the bases after the game. All of the Father's Day events are brought to fans by HEB and Sanders Morris Harris.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 20, 2009


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