Round Rock FireAnts Extinguish Fresno Grizzlies 3-0

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock FireAnts (49-50) spoiled the Fresno Grizzlies' (51-44) picnic Thursday night, collecting a 3-0 victory at Dell Diamond. FireAnts 3B Joey Gallo made the difference in the game, belting a three-run homer in the third inning to mark the only scoring of the contest.

The story of the night belonged to LHP Michael Roth (8-3, 2.32), who shut out the Grizzlies in seven dominant innings on the ant mound. The lefty surrendered just two hits while striking out eight, lowering his Pacific Coast League-best ERA to a miniscule 2.32 in the process. Roth faced the minimum in each inning but the fifth. Fresno's LHP Tommy Shirley (7-7, 5.38) took the loss after allowing all three runs on six hits in just 2.1 innings of work.

The FireAnts swarmed early as CF Drew Robinson, SS Doug Bernier and Gallo each walked in order to open the top of the first inning. Despite the bases loaded and nobody out, 1B Brett Nicholas struck out before LF Justin Ruggiano grounded into an inning-ending double play.

In the third, Gallo came to the plate with ants in his pants, blasting a three run homer into the visitor's bullpen to give the FireAnts a 3-0 lead. Prior to Gallo's longball, Robinson collected a leadoff walk then Bernier singled. After the blast, Nicholas, Ruggiano and C Patrick Cantwell all singled to load the bases yet again. However, a pair of strikeouts by RF Preston Beck and 2B Edwin Garcia ended the inning before the FireAnts could do any more damage.

Try as they might, the Grizzlies were never able to successfully disrupt Round Rock's ant hill as just four Fresno hitters reached base safely on the night. Only one of those baserunners, SS Colin Moran, entered scoring position as he drew a one-out walk before advancing to second on a Tony Kemp single in the fifth. Roth and LHP Andrew Faulkner combined to retire the final 13 Fresno hitters in consecutive order as the FireAnts marched to victory.

The Express will return on Friday as Round Rock now hits the road for a quick four-game series against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. E-Train RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (4-6, 4.69) is set to toe the rubber while the Sky Sox plan to counter with LHP Brent Suter (3-4, 3.91). First pitch at Security Service Field is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Round Rock will return to Dell Diamond on Tuesday, July 26 to face the Omaha StormChasers.

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!