ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (5-13) dropped a heartbreaking 6-5 decision to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (12-5) after 10 innings of play on Sunday afternoon at Dell Diamond. The E-Train rallied to force extra innings but ultimately couldn't overcome a four-run outburst by the Sky Sox in
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (5-13) dropped a heartbreaking 6-5 decision to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (12-5) after 10 innings of play on Sunday afternoon at Dell Diamond. The E-Train rallied to force extra innings but ultimately couldn't overcome a four-run outburst by the Sky Sox in the top of the 10th.
Round Rock RHP Reed Garrett (0-1, 7.11) suffered the loss after giving up four runs, only three of which were earned, on five hits and a walk while recording just two outs in the top of the 10th inning. Sky Sox RHP Jorge López (1-0, 3.38) collected the win despite allowing two runs on three hits in two innings of relief.
Both starting pitchers were brilliant as E-Train LHP Yohander Méndez issued just one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five in six innings of work. Sky Sox RHP Bubba Derby was equally impressive, blanking the Express on a hit and four walks in 5.2 frames.
After three scoreless frames, the visitors grabbed the game's first run in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a solo Christian Bethancourt home run. The Sky Sox doubled their lead in the seventh as 3B Gabriel Noriega doubled prior to a two-out Shane Opitz triple.
After tallying just one hit through the first 7.2 innings, Express LF Willie Calhoun brought his team's bats to life with a towering solo home run to right field. In the ninth, 2B Christian Lopes lined a one-out single to right before C Tony Sanchez leveled the game at 1-1 with an RBI single.
The Sky Sox responded with four runs in the top of the 10th inning. With Minor League Baseball's new extra-inning rules in place, Colorado Springs began the frame with C Robie Rojas on second base. Following a Nate Orf sacrifice bunt, SS Mauricio Dubón and 1B Andrés Blanco teamed up for consecutive doubles that plated a pair of runs. An ensuing two-out Keon Broxton RBI triple extended the gap to 5-2. Back-to-back singles courtesy of Noriega and LF Johnny Davis gave the visitors a 6-2 edge.
Round Rock again attempted to rally in the bottom of the inning. With RHP Tim Dillard on the mound and SS Hanser Alberto on second base to begin the frame, CF Jose Cardona grounded out to move Alberto to third. A Scott Heineman single brought Round Rock within 6-3. A two-out Tommy Joseph single sent Cardona flying home with the E-Train's fourth run of the afternoon. Lopes managed an RBI single in his next at-bat, bringing the gap to 6-5. After Sanchez was hit with a pitch to load the bases, 3B Nick Noonan popped out to end the rally, sealing Round Rock's fate in the 6-5 decision.
The Express and Sky Sox finish their quick three-game series on Monday night. Round Rock RHP Adrian Sampson (0-2, 9.64) is scheduled to take the mound against Colorado Springs RHP Aaron Brooks (1-1, 4.05). First pitch at Dell Diamond is set for 7:05 p.m.
For more information on the Express, visit RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
