PCL1 Round Rock Express

Sounds Quite Express 4-0 on Fourth of July

Published on July 4, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (44-42) weren't able to muster up any kind of offense against the Nashville Sounds (47-42) pitching staff Friday night, as they were shutout 4-0 before a record-setting Independence Day crowd of 12,591 at Dell Diamond.

The E-Train faithful showed up in droves to celebrate the Fourth of July Friday, breaking the attendance record for the holiday and setting the third highest attendance mark in franchise history. Unfortunately, the Express continued with recent trends, as they have now dropped five of their last six games on Independence Day. Since becoming a Triple-A affiliate in 2005, Round Rock is 5-5 on America's birthday.

As for the game, Sounds starter Michael Blazek (1-3, 4.44 ERA) limited the E-Train to just one hit over 5.1 innings to set the tone. The right-hander struck out six and issued no walks to earn his first win of the season.

Blazek's compadres' took up where their starter left off, holding Round Rock to just a pair of singles over the final 3.2 innings to close out the shutout.

Nashville took a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI single by C Shawn Zarraga. With one out, 1B Sean Halton doubled to the warning track in center then scored when Zarraga followed with a base knock back through the box.

The Sounds went deep twice in the fifth to up their advantage to four. SS Hector Gomez got the scoring started with one out as he just cleared the wall in left for his ninth home run of the season. Later in the inning, with 3B Jason Rogers on second following a two-out double, DH Jeremy Hermida went yard off Round Rock starter LHP Robbie Ross to make it 4-0 Nashville. Hermida, a former first-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins, has hit 11 homers this year.

Ross (1-1, 5.73 ERA) exited after giving up the home run to Hermida. The left-hander allowed four runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking three, to suffer his first loss as a member of the Express.

SS Luis Sardinas, CF Jared Hoying and LF Jake Smolinski recorded Round Rock's three hits in the game, all singles.

The Express and Sounds will be back at it Saturday night as they play game two of their three-game series at Dell Diamond. RHP Luke Jackson (0-0, 6.00 ERA), the 2013 Texas Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year, will make his first home start for Round Rock against Nashville RHP Mike Fiers (6-3, 2.64 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Red, White & Blue Weekend festivities will continue into Saturday as Super Series presents another patriotic fireworks spectacular following the game. Listen to the game live on 104.9 FM The Horn 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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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 4, 2014


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