Jensen's 11th Inning Blast Downs Express
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Round Rock Express 2B Kensuke Tanaka forced extra innings with a ninth inning three-run homer Tuesday at Zephyr Field, but the E-Train (42-41) would go on to lose to the New Orleans Zephyrs (44-41) 8-7 on an 11th inning walk-off home run by RF Kyle Jensen.
With the 11th inning blast, Jensen and the Zephyrs snapped Round Rock's winning streak at a season-high six games.
C J.P. Arencibia gave Round Rock an early 1-0 lead in the fourth, clobbering his 10th home run of the season over the left field wall. And for five innings, it seemed it might be enough for Express starter Phil Irwin.
Irwin was dominant in the early going, holding New Orleans hitless for five innings before the Z's broke through for two runs in the sixth. CF Jake Marisnick led off the inning with a base hit to center, breaking up the no-hitter, and 3B Zack Cox singled to put runners on the corners with no outs. After a strikeout, C Rob Brantly dropped an RBI single into shallow center to square the game at one. Irwin then walked RF Kyle Jensen to load the bases, prompting his exit from the game. LHP Michael Kirkman came on and induced a groundball from DH Jordany Valdespin, but the infield was unable to convert the double play, allowing Cox to score from third with the go-ahead run.
The E-Train responded immediately, tagging Zephyrs starter RHP Alex Sanabia for three runs in the seventh to retake the lead at 4-2. DH Bryan Petersen triggered the three-run inning with a one-out single to left. 3B Ryan Rua and LF Jake Smolinski followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to put Round Rock back on top. After a pitching change, 1B Jason Donald singled through the left side, moving Smolinski around to third before 2B Kensuke Tanaka plated the left fielder on an RBI fielder's choice.
The Z's erupted for five runs in the eighth to turn their two-run deficit into a three-run advantage at 7-4. 1B Mark Canha and Brantly each singled off reliever Nate Adcock to begin the inning. Adcock retired the next two batters before 2B Josh Rodriguez ripped an RBI single to right. LHP Justin Marks entered in place of Adcock and gave up an RBI single to SS Juan Diaz, knotting the game at four. After a walk, Marisnick grounded a two-run single through the left side to put New Orleans up two before a misplayed infield popup stretched their lead out to three.
Down to their final three outs, the Express rallied with a pair of singles from Rua and Donald to bring the tying run to the plate in the form of Kensuke Tanaka. The second baseman watched a pitch out of the zone to begin the at-bat before delivering the equalizer, a three-run big fly to right to level the score at 7-7.
Tanaka has displayed a flare for the dramatic this season as his last two homers have been game-tying, ninth-inning blasts. His heroics Tuesday, however, would go unrewarded.
The game progressed into the 11th inning before Jensen teed off on a 0-1 pitch from Express RHP Matt West (2-2, 5.23 ERA) to end it. Both of West's losses this season have come via walk-off home runs in New Orleans.
Zephyrs RHP Bryan Evans (5-5, 4.60 ERA) worked a 1-2-3 11th to earn his fifth victory of the season.
Rua paced Round Rock offensively, finishing 3-5 with a double and an RBI, while Donald added two hits in the loss.
The Express and Zephyrs will continue their series with game three Wednesday at Zephyr Field. The pitching matchup will pit Round Rock RHP Justin Germano (2-7, 4.03 ERA) against New Orleans RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-1, 3.38 ERA). Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
Listen to the game live on 104.9 FM The Horn or online at hornfm.com. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!