ROUND ROCK, Texas - Round Rock Express (1-4) SS Hanser Alberto kissed his team's four-game losing streak goodbye on Monday night, blasting a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning that give the E-Train a 4-2 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (4-1). Round Rock reliever RHP Nick Gardewine
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Round Rock Express (1-4) SS Hanser Alberto kissed his team's four-game losing streak goodbye on Monday night, blasting a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning that give the E-Train a 4-2 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (4-1).
Round Rock reliever RHP Nick Gardewine (1-0, 32.40) picked up the win after holding Memphis to just one run on two hits while striking out a pair in 1.1 innings of work. Redbirds LHP Sean Gilmartin (0-1, 18.00) took the loss after giving up four runs on three hits and a walk in one relief inning.
Express starter RHP Tyler Wagner was brilliant on the mound, surrendering just one run on six hits in 5.0 innings. The righty struck out two and walked four. Wagner's only mistake came in the second inning as C Carson Kelly launched a solo home run to deep right field that put Memphis on top 1-0.
After three scoreless frames, the Round Rock bats came to life in the sixth inning. 1B Ronald Guzmán and LF Willie Calhoun opened the frame with back-to-back singles, then 3B Trevor Plouffe worked a walk to load the bases. C Cameron Rupp poked a sacrifice fly to deep right-center field, allowing Guzman to tag and score from third. Alberto then stepped to the plate and smoked a two-out, three-run homer to left field, giving the E-Train a 4-1 edge.
Gardewine allowed a leadoff double to Memphis DH Ramón Urías in the seventh inning before 2B Max Schrock poked an RBI single into left field. E-Train RHP Deolis Guerra then took over, recording five straight outs to prevent any further damage. Round Rock RHP R.J. Alvarez struck out the side in the ninth inning, slamming the door on the Redbirds and avoiding a five-game season-opening sweep.
Round Rock now hits the road to Oklahoma City for the first away series of the season. Express RHP David Ledbetter (0-1, 5.40) is scheduled to take the mound against Dodgers RHP Zach Neal (0-0, 0.00). First pitch at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Downtown Oklahoma City is scheduled 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!
