Express Drops Series Finale to RedHawks

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Round Rock Express (9-7) dropped the series finale to the Oklahoma City RedHawks (8-7) 5-2 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Friday night.

The RedHawks struck first, getting a run in the second by capitalizing on a walk issued by Express starter Collin Balester.

It didn't take long for the Express to answer back, putting up a run of their own in the fourth. Right fielder Jim Adduci singled to start the inning and stole second with Joey Butler at the dish. That was his fourth stolen base of the season, but just his first of two on the night. Butler lined a single to center field to score Adduci and tie up the game.

Oklahoma City took back the lead for good in the fifth. Balester gave up back-to-back singles to start the frame. RedHawks left fielder Trevor Crowe tripled to score both runners, putting Oklahoma City up 3-1. Designated hitter Fernando Martinez nabbed an extra-base hit of his own, a double, to score Crowe. Balester forced the next batter to ground out, but Martinez advanced to third on the play. Marc Krauss was intentionally walked, setting up a potential double-play. Che-Hsuan Lin took the bait and grounded into a double play to end the inning and the threat.

The RedHawks tacked on an extra run in the sixth, thanks to a lead-off double off the bat of shortstop Jonathan Villar. Villar came around to score two batters later, giving the home team a solid 5-1 lead.

Oklahoma reliever Kyle Hallock entered the game in the seventh which proved to be okay with Express first baseman Chris McGuiness. The 25-year-old launched a solo shot off Hallock with two outs for the final Express run of the evening.

Balester was replaced in the bottom of the inning by Johan Yan after going 6.0 innings and giving up five earned runs on 10 hits. He walked three and struck out four and got tagged with his second loss of the year, dropping to 1-2. Yan worked the final two innings, surrendering just one hit and striking out one.

RedHawks reliever C.J. Fick took the win, his first of the season, and Josh Zeid picked up his first save, working a hitless 1.1 innings to end the game.

The E-Train returns to Dell Diamond to start an eight-game, nine-day homestand tomorrow which will include the New Orleans Zephyrs (April 20-23) and the Albuquerque Isotopes (April 25-28). For tickets and more information, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!