PCL1 Round Rock Express

Sky Sox Rally to Knock off Express 6-4

Published on May 5, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado "" The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (10-15) rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, sinking the Round Rock Express (15-11) by a final score of 6-4 this afternoon at Security Service Field. RHP Francisco Mendoza (0-1, 3.86) suffered the loss after allowing the late go-ahead runs. Sky Sox RHP Jaye Chapman (1-0, 9.00) was awarded the win.

Express LHP Michael Roth impressed in his second start of the season. The South Carolina native surrendered just one run on five hits in four innings of work. He also recorded four strikeouts in the no decision. Roth danced around five baserunners in the first three frames, keeping the Sky Sox scoreless until the fourth inning.

In the fourth, 1B Josmil Pinto picked up a one-out walk before scoring on a double courtesy of SS Nate Orf two batters later. The Colorado Springs lead proved to be brief as Round Rock pushed three runners across the plate in the very next inning.

RF Drew Robinson led off the inning with a line drive triple that skipped off the wall in center field. After Doug Bernier drew a walk, DH Jurickson Profar grounded a dribbler to Pinto at first, who misplayed the ball, allowing Robinson to score from third. With Bernier at second and Profar safe at first, C Michael McKenry lined a shot to left field for a two-run single, giving the E-Train their first lead of the day at 3-1. An Ike Davis ground ball double play cut short the chance for an even bigger inning.

Solo runs from the Sky Sox in the sixth and seventh innings ultimately tied the game at three. In the sixth, 3B Will Middlebrooks launched a solo home run deep into left field, leaving LF Jared Hoying as a helpless observer to the ball's outward trajectory. An inning later, Colorado Springs knotted the game as Orf recorded a leadoff single before scoring on a triple from CF Keon Broxton.

Round Rock then regained the lead in the top of the eighth. Hoying started things off with a line drive single before Davis picked up a one-out walk. 2B Pedro Ciriaco extended his season-high hitting streak to 10 games with a RBI single that drove Hoying home.

Express RHP Francisco Mendoza had a rough day at the office after coming on to relieve LHP Juke Jackson in the bottom of the eighth. The righty walked leadoff hitter C Manny Pina before allowing back-to-back doubles to Middlebrooks and Pinto. Two runs would score in the sequence to give the Sky Sox a 5-4 lead.

Minutes later, a one-out single off the bat of Orf scored Pinto to give the home team a two-run cushion. Mendoza enticed RF Ben Guez to fly out to Robinson before being replaced by RHP Anthony Carter, who struck out LF Eric Young, Jr. "" the only batter faced on the day.

Round Rock attempted to rally in a dramatic ninth inning. With one out in the frame, CF James Jones reached safely on an infield single. Profar then launched a fly ball to center field that originally appeared to be caught by Young, who rocketed the ball back to first in an attempt to double Jones off the bag. However, after a lengthy conference, the umpires determined that Young did not, in fact, make the catch. Following an argument from Colorado Springs manager Rick Sweet, Jones was allowed to remain on third while Profar was given second base. Hoying then flew out to Young in the next at-bat. With the chance to become a hero, McKenry grounded to Orf, who scooped up the ball and launched it to first to record the final out and close the door on the series.

The Express now return home to Dell Diamond for a Friday night showdown with the New Orleans Zephyrs (Miami Marlins affiliate). Rangers RHP Yu Darvish will make his first rehab start of the year for Round Rock and is expected to throw 45-50 pitches. Tomorrow's affair is also a Bud Light Fireworks Friday as fans will be treated to a postgame fireworks show set to iconic tunes from the 1980's, leading into Saturday's 80's Night at Dell Diamond.

Single game tickets are available along with season ticket packages and group discounts. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 5, 2016


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