
Round Rock Wins Wild One in Albuquerque
June 12, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - After blowing a seven-run lead, the Round Rock Express (30-36) erupted for seven ninth-inning runs Wednesday, highlighted by CF Jared Hoying's go-ahead single and a DH Kensuke Tanaka grand slam, to drop the Albuquerque Isotopes (30-36) 15-8 in a wild one at Isotopes Park.
Round Rock has now won three-straight games against the Isotopes to secure their first series win in over a month. They will look to claim their first sweep of the season in Thursday's series finale.
The E-Train pounded out a season-high 19 hits Wednesday, as every player in the starting lineup recorded at least one base knock. Six players turned in multi-hit performances for Round Rock led by Tanaka and Hoying, who combined to go 7-10 with eight RBI and four runs scored in the contest, not to mention their clutch ninth-inning contributions.
Round Rock took advantage of sloppy defense by Albuquerque in the first to shoot out to a 3-0 lead. With the bases loaded and one out, 3B Brent Lillibridge grounded to SS Erisbel Arruebarrena who went to second in an attempt to turn an inning-ending double play. 2B Walter Ibarra mishandled the feed, however, allowing all runners to advance safely, including Tanaka at the plate. Hoying followed by lining a two-run single into right field to cash in on the run scoring opportunity.
The E-Train's first inning momentum continued into the second as they scored four more runs to pull away from the "ËTopes. 2B Jason Donald and SS Josh Wilson each singled ahead of an RBI base hit by Tanaka to begin the inning. LF Ryan Strausborger then ripped an RBI double to right to plate Wilson from second. After a pair of strikeouts, Lillibridge delivered a two-out, two-run single to put Round Rock in the conductor's seat at 7-0.
The margin remained wide until the Isotopes resurfaced in the sixth, tallying six runs to turn what looked to be an Express blowout into a tight ball game. Albuquerque got seven hits in the inning, highlighted by C Griff Erickson's three-run bomb, to cut their deficit to one at 7-6, and seemed poised for more damage with the bases loaded and cleanup hitter 1B Clint Robinson at the dish. But Round Rock reliever RHP Cory Burns managed to wriggle out of the jam by inducing an inning-ending double play to escape the dreadful inning with the E-Train's lead still intact.
Donald provided a little breathing room for Round Rock in the eighth, launching his first home run in an Express jersey over the right field wall to make it 8-6. The solo shot gives Donald two homers on the campaign, as his first came while with the Omaha Storm Chasers earlier in the year.
Albuquerque completed their improbable comeback in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two runs to square the game at 8-8. LF Trayvon Robinson and Ibarra each singled to lead off the inning. Robinson then came around to score from second on a throwing error by C Brett Nicholas following the left fielder's advancement to third on a wild pitch. Ibarra came across as the tying run when RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (1-1, 5.48 ERA) uncorked a second wild pitch to the backstop, completing Round Rock's collapse.
But rather than dwelling on the meltdown they had just suffered, the Express erupted for a seven-run, ninth inning outburst to stun the crowd at Isotopes Park. After Lillibridge started the rally with a one-out triple, Hoying lined an RBI single into center field to reclaim Round Rock's lead. Later in the inning, Wilson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to up Round Rock's advantage to two. Tanaka then cleared the bases with his third home run of the season to put the game well out of reach. Nicholas drove home a final run in the frame to bring the score to 15-8.
Express RHP Roman Mendez worked a scoreless ninth, striking out one, to secure the E-Train victory and give his bullpen mate Bonilla his first win of the season.
On top of Hoying and Tanaka's heroic efforts, Donald (3-5, HR, RBI, 3 R) and Lillibridge (2-6, 3B, 3 RBI, R) also had great games at the plate for Round Rock.
Round Rock will send RHP Daniel McCutchen (1-5, 7.80 ERA) to the hill for Thursday's finale as they try for the series sweep. Albuquerque will counter with RHP Red Patterson (3-5, 4.30 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. CDT at Isotopes Park.
Follow the game live on 1260 AM or online at hornfm.com . 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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