Corpus Christi Tops Round Rock 2-1 in Exhibition Series Opener

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Corpus Christi Hooks used a two-run ninth inning to top the Round Rock Express by a final score of 2-1 on Saturday night at Whataburger Field. Round Rock pitchers racked up 15 strikeouts in the walkoff defeat to begin the two-game Houston Astros Futures Weekend exhibition series.
Express RHP Cy Sneed suffered the loss after allowing both Hooks runs on a total of three hits and two walks in an inning of relief. Sneed tallied three of Round Rock's 15 punchouts. On the winning side, Corpus Christi RHP Jose Hernandez allowed just one hit while striking out a pair in two scoreless relief innings.
E-Train starter RHP Brady Rodgers surrendered just one base hit while striking out six Hooks hitters, including five in a row, in 2.2 innings of work. For Corpus Christi, RHP Tyler Ivey tossed four shutout innings, allowing three hits while whiffing four Express hitters.
Both pitching staffs traded punches for the first six innings as the two Astros affiliates held each other scoreless until the seventh. Round Rock struck first as C Garrett Stubbs worked a leadoff walk prior a single off the bat of SS Alex De Goti . An ensuing Myles Straw fielder's choice moved De Goti to second while Stubbs was eliminated at home on a play at the plate. LF Taylor Jones then drove in De Goti to plate the game's first run.
However, Corpus Christi walked off with the victory after a dramatic ninth inning rally. LF Carmen Benedetti kickstarted the comeback with a one-out single, then RF Chas McCormick and 1B J.J. Matijevic worked back-to-back walks. DH Granden Goetzman knocked a clutch single into right field that scored Benedetti to level the score at 1-1. C Chuckie Robinson then played hero with a walkoff single to right field that gave the Hooks the 2-1 win.
Round Rock and Corpus Christi wrap up the 2019 Houston Astros Futures Weekend with a 2:05 p.m. first pitch on Sunday afternoon at Dell Diamond. Express RHP Akeem Bostick is slated to face Hooks LHP Brett Adcock .
The Express open their historic 20th anniversary season on the road against the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Miami Marlins affiliate) on Thursday, April 4 before returning to Dell Diamond on Tuesday, April 9 for a five-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Texas Rangers affiliate). Single game tickets, season memberships and flex plan ticket packages are on sale now.
For more information on the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and join the conversation during our historic 20th anniversary season using #20STROng.