Express Drops Series Opener to Isotopes 5-1
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (25-14) saw its ten-game home win streak come to an end Thursday night at Dell Diamond, falling to the Albuquerque Isotopes (17-24) 5-1. The Express fell behind early and was unable to make up the deficit, resulting in the team's third home loss of the year.
Round Rock starter Anthony Ranaudo struggled through the first inning of play, throwing 37 total pitches while giving up two runs on three hits as the Isotopes hitter's worked effectively. Lead-off hitter SS Cristhian Adames reached first on an error with no outs to start the only series between the two clubs this season. Ranaudo then picked up his first K of the night, sending Isotopes CF Drew Stubbs back to the dugout swinging. DH Tim Wheeler collected the first Albuquerque hit of the night with a single that moved Adames to third and loaded the corners. The Round Rock defense threw home on a fielder's choice that put 1B Matt McBride on first, but kept the scoreboard clean. Wheeler and McBride both advanced on a wild pitch from Ranaudo and were brought home on a Ryan Casteel RBI single, giving Albuquerque the early 2-0 advantage. Ranaudo went on to give up another single, but got 2B Angelys Nina to fly out and end the inning.
Express 2B Rougned Odor battled for six pitches with Albuquerque starter, and Colorado Rockies #1 prospect, RHP Jon Gray to lead off the inning for Round Rock, but ultimately flied out for the first out of the inning. Telis drew a walk that brought major league rehabber and 2010 American League MVP Josh Hamilton to the plate for his second homestand with the Express this season, much to the pleasure of the Round Rock crowd. Hamilton felt right at home and launched a double down the right-field line that put Telis on third. The former MVP finished the game 1-for-4 with a double.
The Isotopes offense slowly added to its run total with a run in the second inning on a Wheeling sacrifice fly, one run in the third via a Smalling RBI single and put up an additional run in the fifth with a RBI single from LF Kyle Parker. The consistent run-scoring effort proved effective as Gray kept the Express hitters quiet.
Ranaudo saw his evening come to a close after throwing 5.0 innings and allowing seven hits, five runs (one earned), one walk while striking out five Isotopes. RHP Ross Wolf relieved Ranaudo and pitched two scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and one strikeout, keeping the deficit within reach for a Round Rock team that was desperately searching for runs.
The E-Train finally broke through in the seventh inning as 3B Ed Lucas started the inning with a lead-off single. LF Michael Choice fell victim to Gray's third strikeout of the night, but 1B Chris Gimenez moved Lucas to second with his 24th hit of the season to put men on first and second. SS Hanser Alberto reached on a fielding error to score Lucas, making the score 5-1. Gray was pulled from the game after retiring Odor for the second out of the inning. The top Colorado prospect went 6.2 innings with six hits, one run (earned), one walk and totaled three strikeouts. RHP Brooks Brown entered for Gray and struck out Telis to end the inning.
LHP Michael Kickham came in for Wolf in the eighth, marking his second appearance of the season with Round Rock. Kickham stymied the Albuquerque offense with a 1-2-3 inning that produced three straight ground outs to close the top half of the eighth.
Neither side budged the duration of the contest, leaving Round Rock on the losing end 5-1 and giving the E-Train its third home loss of the year after winning ten straight at Dell Diamond.
The Express and the Isotopes continue the four game series tomorrow night, Friday, May 22, at Dell Diamond with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez takes the hill for Round Rock and LHP John Lannan (1-1, 4.70) for Albuquerque.
For tickets and more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Follow the Express on Facebook and Twitter!