ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (66-45) rallied late to capture a dramatic 10-9 win over the Sacramento River Cats (61-51) on Saturday night at Dell Diamond. Trailing 9-7 in the eighth, E-Train 2B Alex De Goti blasted a game-winning three-run homer to push Round Rock to victory.
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (66-45) rallied late to capture a dramatic 10-9 win over the Sacramento River Cats (61-51) on Saturday night at Dell Diamond. Trailing 9-7 in the eighth, E-Train 2B Alex De Goti blasted a game-winning three-run homer to push Round Rock to victory.
Express RHP Brandon Bielak (6-3, 4.45) earned win after giving up three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in 6.0 innings of relief. Houston Astros RHP Brad Peacock made the first start of his major league rehab assignment, allowing five runs on three hits and two walks in 1.1 innings. On the losing end, River Cats RHP Melvin Adon (0-1, 40.50) surrendered three runs on two hits while recording just two outs.
The two teams traded blows early as Sacramento scored the first run of the game on a Chris Shaw solo homer in the first. Round Rock promptly answered with a trio of runs in the home half of the inning. 3B Abraham Toro was hit with a pitch, then SS Jack Mayfield blasted a home run to give the Express the lead at 2-1. The inning continued as LF Kyle Tucker doubled, moved to third on a Taylor Jones groundout and scored on a Ronnie Freeman passed ball.
The River Cats then solved Peacock in the top of the second, scoring five runs to take the lead right back. LF Joe McCarthy kicked off the big inning with a walk, then 1B Cristhian Adames singled. Following a Freeman walk that loaded the bases, 2B Levi Michael drove in three runs with a triple. An ensuing Joey Rickard home run upped the gap to 6-3.
Both teams traded three-spots in the fourth inning. After River Cats SS Mauricio Dubón reached base on a fielder's choice, Shaw singled and RF Jaylin Davis lined a go-ahead, three-run homer to deep right field.
Round Rock again answered thanks to a Toro double followed by a Sacramento fielding error that allowed Mayfield to reach base. Tucker then collected his 28th home run of the season, a three-run blast that pulled the E-Train within 9-7.
The Express put the game away for good in the eighth. Tanielu kicked off the rally with a double, the C Jamie Ritchie worked a walk. De Goti stepped to the plate and played the role of hero, launching a game-winning, three-run homer to left field that cemented a thrilling 10-9 Round Rock win.
The two teams meet for a pivotal game three on Sunday night. Express RHP Rogelio Armenteros (4-6, 5.80) is scheduled to start against River Cats RHP Yoanys Quiala (6-6, 4.49). First pitch for game three at Dell Diamond is set for 6:05 p.m.
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 season using #20STROng.
