E-Train Plows Through Zephyrs 9-7 In Finale
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Round Rock Express (44-41) battled back from a four-run deficit in New Orleans Thursday night to claim the series victory with a 9-7 win over the Zephyrs (44-43) at Zephyr Field.
Round Rock now trails first-place Nashville by just a half game in the PCL American Southern Division standings as they return home Friday to begin a three-game, Fourth of July Weekend series with the Sounds at Dell Diamond.
The E-Train jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first Thursday on a two-out RBI single by LF Ryan Rua. SS Luis Sardinas drew a walk to begin the game, moved to second on a one-out walk issued to RF Bryan Petersen and scored when Rua ripped a base hit through the right side to put Round Rock on top, briefly.
In the bottom of the first, Zephyrs CF Jordany Valdespin evened things up at 1-1 with a two-out solo home run, his fifth of the season, to right. The Z's then pulled ahead 3-1 in the third. With one out, SS Danny Black and 2B Josh Rodriguez ripped back-to-back singles to right. Express starter LHP Ryan Feierabend was able to strike out Valdespin swinging for the second out, but couldn't retire LF Mark Canha, who laced a two-run double to left to move the Z's in front.
New Orleans scored two more runs in the fifth to stretch their lead out to 5-1. Valdespin worked a nine-pitch, two-out walk to extend the inning and advanced to third on a single by Canha. 1B Kyle Jensen then grounded a two-run single to left to increase the home team's advantage to four.
After five stagnant innings, the E-Train came roaring back in the seventh, hanging five runs on the Z's to retake the lead at 6-5. 2B Kensuke Tanaka led off with a line drive single to right. 3B Josh Wilson then walked and Sardinas singled to load the bases with no outs. CF Jake Smolinski followed with a bases-clearing double to move Round Rock to within one. After a strikeout, 1B J.P. Arencibia put the Express ahead by one, taking New Orleans reliever Grant Dayton deep to left-center for his 11th round tripper of the season.
RHP Jon Edwards, who entered for Feierabend in the bottom of the seventh, got off to a shaky start in his Triple-A debut. The outfielder-turned-pitcher issued a walk and two singles to surrender the game-tying run before recording his first out. However, with runners on the corners and no outs, Edwards showed toughness, retiring the next three batters in order to escape the inning with the score tied 6-6.
Round Rock and their newfound offense went for three more runs in the eighth to regain the lead for good. Wilson and Sardinas each singled with one out and Smolinski worked a walk to load the bases for a second-straight inning. Petersen, who entered the game batting .714 (5-for-7) with 15 RBI in bases-loaded situations, cashed in on the scoring opportunity yet again, driving home two with an infield single, and Arencibia followed with an RBI single to push the E-Train lead to 9-6.
The Zephyrs got a run back on an Express error in the home half of the eighth, but RHP Roman Mendez was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam to preserve a 9-7 lead.
RHP Nate Adcock took over for Round Rock in the ninth and, after hitting the lead-off batter, shutdown New Orleans to record his first save of the season.
Edwards (1-0, 9.00 ERA) earned his first career Triple-A victory after his gritty seventh-inning performance. He struck out two.
Arencibia went 3-4 with a walk and three RBI to lead the Round Rock offensive attack. Sardinas also had a solid night at the plate, going 2-4 with a walk and three runs scored.
The Express will be back in town Friday to kick off Red, White & Blue Weekend at Dell Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. as Round Rock's LHP Robbie Ross Jr. (1-0, 4.26 ERA) takes on RHP Michael Blazek (0-3, 4.96 ERA) of Nashville. Following the game, fans will be able to enjoy a patriotic Bud Light Friday Fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day.
For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!