ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (36-42) matched their longest winning streak since 2015 thanks to a 6-4 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers (35-42) on Wednesday night at Dell Diamond. Express RHP Adrian Sampson carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before 1B Tommy Joseph later
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (36-42) matched their longest winning streak since 2015 thanks to a 6-4 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers (35-42) on Wednesday night at Dell Diamond. Express RHP Adrian Sampson carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before 1B Tommy Joseph later hit a go-ahead three-run homer that fueled the series-clinching victory.
Sampson was magnificent in 6.1 innings of work, retiring the first 18 hitters he faced in a row to bring a perfect game into the seventh inning. However, Omaha CF Donnie Dewees blasted a solo home run to begin the frame, dashing any hopes of perfection. RF Jorge Bonifacio later singled to chase Sampson from the game.
With LHP Brandon Mann now on the bump, Omaha 1B Ryan O'Hearn blasted a game-tying three-run homer. Sampson finished the game having allowed two runs on just two hits while striking out three in the tough-luck no-decision. Mann earned the victory after holding the Storm Chasers to a run on two hits in 1.2 innings. Omaha LHP Sam Selman (0-1, 2.57) suffered the loss after giving up Joseph's go-ahead homer in the seventh inning.
Round Rock opened the scoring in the second as C Juan Centeno led off with a double. Back-to-back singles courtesy of DH Drew Robinson and CF Scott Heineman scored the game's first run. Omaha starter RHP Glenn Sparkman surrendered a two-out RBI single to LF Willie Calhoun that doubled the Express lead to 2-0.
In the fifth, Robinson collected a walk before racing home on a two-out Joseph single. Sparkman finished the game having allowed three runs on six hits while striking out six in 6.0 innings of work.
After Omaha's three-run outburst in the top of the seventh inning leveled the game, Joseph took matters into his own hands in the home half of the frame. Centeno led off with a single prior to a Christian Lopes walk that chased Selman from the game. With RHP Jake Newberry on in relief, Joseph launched a three-run homer that gave Round Rock the lead right back at 6-3.
Omaha attempted a ninth-inning comeback against Pacific Coast League saves leader RHP R.J. Alvarez . LF Billy Burns opened the frame with a single before back-to-back wild pitches moved Burns to third. An ensuing one-out Paulo Orlando double brought the Storm Chasers within 6-4. However, Alvarez recovered to retire final two hitters in order to preserve the victory.
Round Rock and Omaha close out their series on Thursday night. Express LHP David Hurlbut (2-5, 4.83) is scheduled to take the mound against Storm Chasers LHP Jonathan Dziedzic (3-6, 3.97). First pitch at Dell Diamond is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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!
