Express Rolls Into May, Shuts Out RedHawks

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Round Rock Express (15-12) recorded its Pacific Coast League-leading fifth shutout of the season Thursday with a 3-0 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks (15-13) at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Round Rock salvaged a series split by winning the final two games of the series and remains in first place in the PCL American Southern Division standings.

Starting pitcher Nick Tepesch (5-1, 1.59 ERA) and the Express bullpen held Oklahoma City to just six hits to begin the month of May, while center fielder Jared Hoying clubbed his seventh home run of the season to pace the E-Train offense.

The Express came up with two runs in the second to take the lead for good. With one out in the inning, center fielder Hoying went yard to put his club on top. The homer ties him with fellow outfielder Brad Snyder for the team lead. Catcher Chris Gimenez followed Hoying's long ball with a double, and scored two batters later on Ryan Strausborger's two-bagger down the right field line. Strausborger, Round Rock's left fielder, has now hit safely in six-straight games.

Tepesch was dominant once again, but needed a little help from some friends to secure the shutout Thursday, as his night ended after five innings. The right-hander permitted just three hits, struck out six, and walked two in a solid encore to the complete-game shutout he twirled last Saturday. He's now been the winning pitcher in four of Round Rock's five shutouts this season.

Roman Mendez took the reins from Tepesch in the sixth and turned in two quality innings before giving way to Ben Rowen in the eighth.

Kensuke Tanaka's RBI single in the ninth gave Rowen a little more room to work with, but the 6'4" submariner didn't need it. Rowen gave up just one hit over the final two frames to nail down the shutout and give the E-Train their first save of the season.

Round Rock becomes the last team in all of baseball (major and minor league) to record a save this year.

The Express handed RedHawks starter Nick Tropeano (1-2, 3.00 ERA) his second loss in the series finale. Tropeano gave up two runs on four hits, while striking out four and walking two. Both of the right-handers losses this season have come against Round Rock.

The E-Train returns home Friday to kick off an eight-game homestand on Star Wars Night at Dell Diamond. Round Rock will play four games with the New Orleans Zephyrs before welcoming the Omaha Storm Chasers to town for another four-game series. The Express will start Scott Baker (4-1, 2.81 ERA) in game one against New Orleans left-hander Adam Conley (2-2, 3.99 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., so dress up like a Wookie and head on out to the ballpark!

For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!