Round Rock Picks Up 4-2 Victory In New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Round Rock Express (43-41) got a quality start from RHP Justin Germano Wednesday and RHP Neftali Feliz converted his seventh-straight save as the E-Train defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs (44-42) 4-2 at Zephyr Field.

With the win, the Express guaranteed themselves at least a series split with the Zephyrs heading into the last meeting of the season between the two teams.  

Round Rock rode a strong, collective pitching performance to victory Wednesday, though they did fall behind in the early going.

New Orleans jumped on the board first with two runs in the second. RF Jordany Valdespin went deep to lead off the inning, driving his fourth home run of the season over the wall in right-center to give his club control. SS Juan Diaz followed with a double to right and later scored on a one-out RBI single by LF Matt Angle to put the Z's on top 2-0.

The E-Train came roaring back with three runs in the third to seize a 3-2 advantage. With one out, 1B Jason Donald, 2B Kensuke Tanaka and SS Luis Sardinas strung together three-straight doubles to level the score at two. Later in the inning, RF Bryan Petersen plated Sardinas from third with a single to left to move Round Rock in front.

After a rocky second, Round Rock's starter Germano (3-7, 3.96 ERA) settled in, allowing just three hits over the next four innings to notch his seventh quality start of the season. He struck out five and walked two.

RHP Lisalverto Bonilla took the reins from Germano in the seventh and proceeded to shutdown New Orleans over the next two innings, permitting one hit and striking out one before turning the game over to Feliz.

3B Ryan Rua went yard in the top of the ninth to tack on an insurance run for Round Rock. He now has two home runs in his first five games at the Triple-A level.

Thanks to Rua, Feliz had a run to play with in the bottom of the ninth, but didn't need it, breezing through the Zephyrs' 7-8-9 hitters to lockdown the E-Train victory. The right-hander hasn't allowed a run in eight appearances since June 10 (six saves).

Z's starter RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-2, 3.62 ERA) suffered his second Triple-A loss of the season despite turning in a quality start. DeSclafani, the #5 prospect in the Miami Marlins organization according to MLB.com, gave up three runs on six hits over six innings, while striking out eight and walking one.

The Express will finish up their season series with the Zephyrs Thursday night at Zephyr Field. Round Rock will send LHP Ryan Feierabend (7-5, 4.37 ERA) to the mound as they look to clinch the series victory, while New Orleans will counter with fellow LHP Adam Conley (2-3, 5.08 ERA). First pitch is scheduled 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!