Express Split High-Scoring Doubleheader with Isotopes
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - The Round Rock Express (52-58) and Albuquerque Isotopes (52-58) exchanged wins in Thursday's twin-billing. Round Rock rolled 12-5 in game one, a continuation of last night's rain-suspended contest, while Albuquerque snagged a 5-4 walk-off victory in the seven-inning nightcap. Express reliever LHP Brandon Mann (4-0, 2.36)
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - The Round Rock Express (52-58) and Albuquerque Isotopes (52-58) exchanged wins in Thursday's twin-billing. Round Rock rolled 12-5 in game one, a continuation of last night's rain-suspended contest, while Albuquerque snagged a 5-4 walk-off victory in the seven-inning nightcap.
Express reliever LHP Brandon Mann (4-0, 2.36) took the win in game one after contributing 3.0 scoreless and hitless innings with a couple of strikeouts. Isotopes starter RHP Peter Lambert (2-2, 4.24) suffered the loss after he was chased out of the game in the top of the second following a six-run explosion by Round Rock's offense.
Before the game was suspended due to poor weather, the E-Train jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on Wednesday night. Round Rock 2B Christian Lopes jumpstarted the early charge when he was awarded second base following a throwing error by Albuquerque 2B Daniel Castro . After a strikeout, Express 3B Andy Ibáñez made the Isotopes pay for their mistake as he plated Lopes from second on a two-out RBI single up the middle. The next two batters in the side, C Tony Sanchez and 1B Hanser Alberto capped off the rally with a run-scoring double and an RBI single.
Round Rock starter RHP Tyler Wagner kept Albuquerque off the board in the bottom half before the Express loaded the bases in the top of the second. A trio of singles by RF Hunter Cole , LF Franklin Rollin , and Lopes put capitalize on the scoring opportunity as the ensuing rainfall forced the game to be suspended.
Upon the contest's resumption on Thursday, Pennington delivered a two-run single to improve Round Rock's lead to 5-0. Following a strikeout by Ibanez, the Isotopes had another mishap on a Sanchez fly ball that allowed two more runs to cross the plate to make it 7-0.
Albuquerque showed their first signs of life in the bottom of the second when 1B Jordan Patterson cut the Express lead to 7-1 with a run-scoring single. But, in the top of the third, Round Rock RF Hunter Cole negated Patterson's RBI by crushing a solo shot to left for his eighth home run of 2018.
Still not satisfied with an 8-1 lead, the E-Train padded the gap in the top of the fourth as Pennington connected on his first home run of the season that made it 9-1. The Isotopes would answer in the bottom half of the frame when Castro redeemed himself with an RBI single that inched Albuquerque closer at 9-2.
Before both teams went scoreless in the final three frames, Pennington added a two-run double in the fifth to cap off a three-hit, four-RBI day at the plate and Sanchez blasted his sixth homer of the year, a solo shot in the sixth that topped off Round Rock's scoring total at 12. For Albuquerque, Patterson would add another RBI single after DH David Dahl smacked a two-run homer in the fifth to finalize their output at five.
While game one ended in a 12-5 blowout, game two was more of a back-and-forth affair that saw the Isotopes come out on top in dramatic fashion. Isotopes RHP D.J. Johnson (3-4, 4.53) secured the win after he hurled a shutout seventh, while E-Train RHP R.J. Alvarez (3-2, 3.34) was saddled with the loss after he surrendered the winning-run to Albuquerque in the bottom half of the frame.
The Isotopes stormed out to a 4-0 lead off Round Rock starter RHP Chris Jensen in the bottom of the second as RF Noel Cuevas punched a run home on a single before C Anthony Bemboom lifted a three-run homer to right field. The E-Train came up with a loud response in the following inning when 1B Nick Torres worked a walk and scored on LF Franklin Rollin's towering two-run homer. Rollin's first Triple-A dinger flew well over the fence in left and cut Albuquerque's lead in half at 4-2.
In the top of the fourth, Round Rock would close the gap further to 4-3. Pennington led off the side with the triple he needed to complete the cycle in game one and scored when the next batter, Ibanez, smoked a single to center. The Express would complete the four-run comeback in the next inning when Rollin singled, advanced to second on a base hit by CF Drew Robinson , and eventually scored when Lopes bounced into a fielder's choice.
After Johnson struck out the side in the top of the seventh, Round Rock turned to Alvarez in the bottom half of the final frame as they looked to send the game to extra innings. However, Albuquerque's bats had other plans. Isotopes LF Raimel Tapia led off the side with a single that just got past Lopes at second base. SS Brendan Rodgers proceeded to advance Tapia to second on a groundout to third before Dahl slapped a sharp ground ball down the left field line for a walk-off double.
With the series tied at one win apiece, the E-Train will look to capture a victory in Friday night's rubber match at Isotopes Park. Round Rock RHP Chris Rowley (5-7, 3.40) is slated to get the start against an Albuquerque starter yet to be announced. First pitch is set for 7:35 p.m. CDT.
For more information on the Express, visit RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
How clubs across Minor League Baseball are celebrating PLAY BALL Weekend
PLAY BALL Weekend is almost here, and Minor League clubs have put together an exciting calendar of events to celebrate MLB’s youth engagement initiative. Some clubs are hosting youth clinics or other events in their home ballparks while others are bringing the joy of baseball and softball into the local
Here are the weirdest plays and stats from MiLB in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Podcast features first-base promotions for Caglianone, Eldridge
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Cubs' Rojas, Mets' Tong headline May's Minor League Players of the Month
Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for May in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other