ROUND ROCK, Texas - Round Rock Express (53-61) LF Willie Calhoun launched two homers, including a go-ahead blast in the eighth inning, to fuel a 5-4 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (57-57) in Sunday night's finale. Thanks to Calhoun's efforts, the E-Train recorded a 3-1 series victory over the Isotopes.
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Round Rock Express (53-61) LF Willie Calhoun launched two homers, including a go-ahead blast in the eighth inning, to fuel a 5-4 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (57-57) in Sunday night's finale. Thanks to Calhoun's efforts, the E-Train recorded a 3-1 series victory over the Isotopes.
Express reliever RHP Sam Wolff (2-2, 2.42) picked up the win after recording a pair of outs in the eighth inning. Isotopes RHP James Farris (1-2, 5.27) suffered the loss following a performance in which he surrendered three runs, only two of which were earned, on five hits in 1.1 innings of relief.
Neither starter figured into the decision as Round Rock RHP David Ledbetter held Albuquerque to three runs on four hits in six innings. Isotopes RHP Zach Jemiola allowed two runs on a total of eight hits in six frames.
The visitors broke a scoreless draw in the fourth inning with a pair of runs. CF Mike Tauchman opened the frame with a double before 1B Ryan McMahon followed up with a double of his own to put the Isotopes on the board. 2B Cristhian Adames recorded a clutch two-out single to double Albuquerque's lead to 2-0.
An inning later, Isotopes LF Rosell Herrera lined a solo home run to right field, padding his team's advantage to 3-0. However, Round Rock responded in the sixth. CF Jared Hoying sent a one-out double to left field before Calhoun sent a two-run homer just over the fence in deep left field, trimming the gap to 3-2.
Round Rock stormed ahead with a two-out rally in the seventh. SS Pete Kozma kickstarted the comeback with a double prior to a Drew Stubbs single that tied the game at 3-3. After Stubbs stole second base, 2B Doug Bernier singled. Farris threw an errant relay throw to first base, allowing Stubbs to race home with the go-ahead run on the error.
The Isotopes tied the game in the top of the eighth. Express reliever RHP Tanner Scheppers issued a one-out single to 3B Derrik Gibson before being replaced by LHP Adam Loewen . The lefty walked McMahon then allowed a single to RF Noel Cuevas that loaded the bases. Wolff then entered in relief, surrendering a sacrifice fly to Adames that leveled the game at four.
In the bottom half of the inning, Calhoun sent the second pitch of his at-bat sailing over the wall in right field. His second bomb of the game gave Round Rock a 5-4 advantage that held to be the final score. E-Train closer RHP Preston Claiborne notched his 15th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning of relief.
The Express now begin a 12-game roadtrip with a four-game set against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Express RHP James Dykstra (1-6, 7.79) is slated to take the mound against Sky Sox RHP Michael Blazek
(2-3, 3.34). First pitch at Security Service Field in Colorado Springs is scheduled for 7:40 p.m.
Single game tickets, season memberships, Flex Plans and Kids Club packages are on sale now. For more information on the Express, visit or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
