PCL1 Round Rock Express

Solarte Walks Off In Express' 4-3 Victory Over Redbirds

Published on July 29, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Rallying from two runs down in the ninth inning, second baseman Yangervis Solarte singled with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th to give the Round Rock Express (61-48) its second straight walk-off win over the Memphis Redbirds (52-57) 4-3 Sunday night.

Express starter Josh Lindblom and Redbirds right-hander Carlos Martinez matched each other frame-for-frame, blanking each team's offense through the first five innings. After Lindblom cruised through the top of the sixth, setting down Memphis in order, the Express offense awoke in the bottom of the inning.

The Redbirds replaced Martinez with Nick Greenwood out of the bullpen to start the frame. First baseman Jim Adduci greeted the southpaw with a single while Solarte reached on a bunt to put runners on first and second. Designated hitter Manny Ramirez broke the scoreless draw with the third straight hit off Greenwood, a RBI single to left that brought Adduci across the plate for the game's first run. The Express would go on to load the bases twice in the inning, but Greenwood worked his way out both times, keeping the score 1-0.

Round Rock's defense was unable to hold the lead in the top of the seventh as third baseman Jermaine Curtis led off with a single to set the table. One batter later, shortstop Greg Garcia doubled just inside the third base bag which would have put runners on second and third, but left fielder Chris McGuiness had trouble handling the ball cleanly in the corner, allowing Curtis to cross the plate which tied the game at 1-1. As the inning continued, Lindblom allowed a single to the next batter before being lifted for side-winder Ben Rowen out of the Express bullpen. The right-hander worked his way out of the two-on, no-out jam, stranding both inherited runners with a line drive double play and a strikeout to keep the game tied.

Rowen set down the side in the eighth before giving way to right-hander Cory Burns in the ninth. After the first two batters reached on singles, Burns retired Tartamella on strikes, but a wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position. The Express intentionally loaded the bases with a free pass to second baseman Kotlen Wong, but designated hitter Chad Huffman delivered a two-run single to put Memphis up 3-1.

Trailing by two in the ninth, center fielder Jared Hoying began the inning with a single before catcher Robinson Chirinos dug the Express out of the two-run hole with his seventh blast of the season onto the home run porch, sending the game into extra innings.

Burns stranded runners on second and third in the 10th before the Express loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame. With the bases full and no outs, Redbirds reliever Victor Marte retired the next three E-Train batters with a fielder's choice and pair of strikeouts to keep the game at 3-3.

The Express again loaded the bases in the bottom of the 11th off Marte, but this time cashed in as Solarte fisted a ground ball through a drawn in infield to bring McGuiness across the plate for the game-winning run. Robertson (4-4) picked up the victory after tossing a scoreless top half of the 11th, while Marte (2-3) was tagged with his third loss.

The Express concludes a four-game series with the Memphis Redbirds Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Scott Richmond (3-4, 5.57 ERA) will take the mound for Round Rock while Memphis is scheduled to send Scott McGregor (4-6, 4.95 ERA) to the hill. Monday will be $1.00 hot dogs and sodas at Dell Diamond, presented by Mrs Baird's. 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 July 29, 2013


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