Early Runs Knock Off Express in 6-1 Loss to Storm Chasers

OMAHA, N.E. - One night after rallying from an early three-run deficit, the Round Rock Express (73-70) was unable to do the same Sunday evening in a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Omaha Storm Chasers (69-74) at Werner Park.

The bottom of Omaha's order produced all six runs for the Storm Chasers Sunday night as the 5-6-7-8 hitters combined to go 7-for-13 with six RBI and five runs scored off the E-Train pitching staff.

The Storm Chasers jumped on Express starter Scott Richmond early, tagging the right-hander for six runs over the first five innings before Richmond exited after just one out in the fifth.

With two gone in the first, Omaha put the first run on the board when left fielder Johnny Giavotella singled with the bases loaded to give the Storm Chasers a 1-0 lead. Richmond worked out of the inning, but the Omaha bats stayed hot in the early going.

Round Rock's starter was plagued by the long ball over the next two innings as catcher Manny Pina blasted a solo shot in the second before right fielder Paulo Orlando touched them all with a three-run inside-the-park home run in the third.

Omaha continued to build on its five-run lead in the fifth when Pina drilled a RBI ground-rule double to set the Express back six runs.

Richmond was lifted after 4.1 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits without recording a strikeout.

The Express finally broke through on the scoreboard in the seventh as second baseman Greg Miclat worked a leadoff walk before catcher Eli Whiteside drove him in with a RBI double to cut the lead to 6-1.

Round Rock's bullpen held strong, blanking the Storm Chasers for 3.2 hitless innings, but the offense was never able to spark in the late innings.

Omaha's pitching staff would go on to hold Round Rock scoreless over the final two frames to preserve the five-run victory. Richmond (6-7) suffered the loss, snapping a two-game winning streak, while Omaha's Chris Dwyer (10-11) picked up the win.

The Express will conclude the 2013 campaign tomorrow afternoon against the Storm Chasers at Werner Park with a 12:05 p.m. start time. Right-hander Josh Lindblom (8-3, 2.71 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for Round Rock, while Omaha will counter with southpaw John Lamb (0-2, 6.55 ERA). For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!