Nelson Powers Express Past Fresno 7-4

FRESNO, Calif. - Brad Nelson powered the Express offense for the third night in-a-row as the Round Rock Express beat the Fresno Grizzlies 7-4 in Pacific Coast League Action Thursday night. The Express (75-51) have won the first three games of the four-game series at Fresno (54-72).

Nelson continued his torrid hitting with an RBI single in the top of the first inning, driving in Leonys Martin, who walked to lead off the game, stole second base and advanced to third on Esteban German's bunt. Nick Green, who was hit by a pitch, stole third and trotted home on Tyler LaTorre's throwing error, trying to get Green at third.

With two outs in the fourth inning and the Express leading 2-0, Martin tripled to left-center. It was his first triple with the Express and his fifth extra-base hit at the Triple-A level. He then scored on German's RBI single to left field. Green then walked, putting two runners on for the Express' hottest hitter. Nelson hit a 1-1 pitch from Daryl Maday over the left field wall and into the shopping center beyond the left-field gate. It was Nelson's 23rd home run of the season and second of the series.

Fresno got on the board in the fifth inning on LaTorre's two-RBI double. Brad Eldred and Justin Christian each reached base via a base hit and scored on the double.

The Grizzlies added another run in the seventh inning on Brandon Crawford's RBI double. LaTorre singled to lead off the inning and scored from first base.

Round Rock grabbed another run in the ninth inning on Val Majewski's two-out RBI single. Nelson doubled and advanced to third on Tyler Graham's fielding error in center to put himself in scoring position for Majewski.

Fresno added one more run in the ninth on Crawford's second RBI of the game. He singled in Christian, who walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on defensive indifference.

Nelson was 3-for-4 with a home run and a double, driving in four runs. Nelson is now 8-for-11 with seven RBI in the series.

Brett Tomko pitched 5.0 innings and got the win for the Express. Tomko (7-5) allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four.

Maday (0-1) got the loss for Fresno. He allowed six runs - five earned - on eight hits. He walked three and struck out one.

Round Rock and Fresno conclude their four-game series Friday night at 9:05 p.m. CDT. Right-hander Eric Hurley (7-1, 4.57 ERA) goes for his second win of the road trip, while lefty Geno Espineli (1-3, 7.61) will make his first career start for the Grizzlies after 182 relief appearances over five season.