RedHawks Take Down Express 12-8
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Round Rock Express (51-51) got four-hit performances from both SS Luis Sardinas and DH Tomas Telis Wednesday night, but it wasn't enough to combat a flurry of Oklahoma City RedHawks (53-53) runs as the E-Train fell 12-8 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Round Rock actually topped Oklahoma City in the hit column Wednesday, 14-13, led by Sardinas and Telis, who finished a combined 8-for-9 with three RBI and two runs. Unfortunately, they had no answer for the RedHawks' three four-run innings.
It was the first four-hit game of the year at any level for Sardinas, who reached base in all five trips, while Telis notched four base knocks back on July 14 while with Double-A Frisco.
1B Carlos Pena led off the second inning with a home run over the right field wall to give Round Rock an early 1-0 lead. The lined shot was Pena's second round tripper of the season.
The E-Train added two more runs to their advantage in the top of the third, only to see their lead evaporate in the home half of the inning. One out into the frame, LF Michael Choice pulled a two-run single into left, making it 3-0 Express. In the bottom of the inning, Round Rock starting pitcher RHP Lisalverto Bonilla struck out the first two RedHawks hitters before completely losing his command, walking the bases loaded. LHP Michael Kirkman took the reins from Bonilla in the tough spot and, after a passed ball allowed one run to score, gave up a go-ahead three-run homer to Oklahoma City 3B Gregorio Petit, his 10th of the year.
Round Rock followed the third-inning fireworks with more offense in the fourth, plating three runs to retake the lead at 6-4. CF Jared Hoying kicked off the inning with a double to right then scored on a one-out double by 3B Josh Wilson. After RF Bryan Petersen worked a walk, Sardinas and Telis delivered back-to-back RBI singles to give their club a two-run cushion, momentarily.
In the fifth, Oklahoma City came up with their second four-run inning of the game to convert their two-run deficit into a two-run lead. With runners on second and third, Petit brought the first run home on an RBI groundout. After a run-scoring, two-out single by LF Preston Tucker squared the game at six, 1B Matt Duffy took Kirkman (3-5, 5.97 ERA) deep to left to swing the score back in favor of the RedHawks at 8-6.
The Express got one back in the sixth to pull within a run at 8-7. Petersen, who reached base three times in the contest, drew a two-out walk to extend the inning. He then advanced to third on a Sardinas single and scored when Telis ripped a base knock into left field.
One run was as close as Round Rock would come, however, as Oklahoma City touched LHP Aaron Poreda for their third four-run inning in the eighth to put the game away. With the bases loaded, Poreda issued a two-out walk to Tucker to begin the scoring. Duffy then singled home two runs and DH Carlos Perez plated another to put the RedHawks in the driver's seat at 12-7
E-Train 2B Ryan Rua drove home Sardinas with a two-out single in the ninth to bring the final score to 12-8.
The Express and RedHawks will finish up their series in Oklahoma City with Thursday's finale at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. RHP Justin Germano (3-10, 4.53 ERA) is scheduled to start for Round Rock against RedHawks RHP Alex White (1-3, 8.06 ERA). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.
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!