PCL1 Round Rock Express

Sacramento Tops Round Rock 3-1

Published on June 15, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Following Thursday night's wild comeback win, the Round Rock Express (30-37) offense was held to just four hits in a 3-1 loss to the Sacramento River Cats (33-35) on Friday night at Dell Diamond.

Round Rock starter LHP Michael Roth (3-3, 3.25) walked away with the loss after producing a solid 6.1-inning outing in which he was responsible for all three of the runs scored on the evening. On the winning end, Sacramento reliever LHP Matt Gage (3-5, 6.10) was award the win for tossing 4.2 shutout innings.

Roth was dominant through the first six frames of play, shutting out the River Cats by allowing just three hits and three walks. Things would change, however, in the top of the seventh as Sacramento tallied the first and only runs of the contest on four-consecutive hits off the Express starter.

3B Ryder Jones got the ball rolling with a one-out single before 1B Chase d'Arnaud reached base on a soft line drive to right. With runners on first and second, DH Eury Perez scorched a double into the gap in left-center to give the 'Cats a 1-0 advantage. The next batter, C Ryan Hanigan, found the hole in left-center once more, doubling home d'Arnaud and Perez to make it 3-0.

Looking to form a response in eighth, the E-Train produced one of their few run-scoring opportunities of the night when RF Hunter Cole and 2B Christian Lopes reached base off Gage on a single and a walk. After Round Rock SS Hanser Alberto made the second out on a flyball to center field, Sacramento RHP Derek Law was able to retire CF Scott Heineman on three strikes to end the threat.

It took all nine innings for the Express bats to push across their first run of ballgame as 1B Tommy Joseph drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the ninth and later scored on a single by 3B Andy Ibanez to cut the River Cats lead to 3-1. With the tying run standing at the plate in C Juan Centeno, Law was able to kill the potential rally on his second three-pitch strikeout of the game.

Rehabbing San Francisco Giants RHP Jeff Samardzija fared well in a 3.0-inning start for Sacramento as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury suffered in late May. Facing 11 batters, Samardzija recorded four punchouts while allowing just one base hit, a hard-hit double by Round Rock LF Willie Calhoun.

The two-bagger improved upon what has already been a fantastic month for Calhoun. Over 54 at-bats in June the 23-year-old outfielder has put together a gaudy .333/.368/.556 batting line, fueled by a collection of six doubles and two home runs.

The E-Train will kick off a four-game series with the Fresno Grizzlies (39-27) Saturday night. Round Rock RHP Adrian Sampson (3-2, 7.11) is scheduled to start on the mound against Fresno RHP Trent Thornton (4-4, 3.28). First pitch at Dell Diamond is set for 6:05 p.m. CDT.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 15, 2018


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