Express Split Doubleheader with Redbirds

MEMPHIS, Tennessee -  The Round Rock Express (7-14) bats came to life in a 6-1 victory over the first place Memphis Redbirds (16-5) in the first game of Thursday night's doubleheader at AutoZone Park. Despite a complete game from E-Train RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (0-3, 5.06) in game two, the Redbirds forced a doubleheader split thanks to a 2-1 victory.
Express reliever LHP Brandon Mann (1-0, 0.00) continued his hot start to the 2018 campaign by notching his first win of the year in the opener. The lefty extended his scoreless streak to 10.0 consecutive innings after allowing just one hit in 2.1 otherwise perfect frames. E-Train starter RHP Yovani Gallardo shined as well, holding the Redbirds to one run on two hits and a pair of walks in 3.2 innings.
Memphis RHP Daniel Poncedeleon (1-2, 2.78) surrendered all six Round Rock runs, only five of which were earned, on 10 hits and three walks in 5.2 innings in the loss.
The Express got to Poncedeleon in the very first frame. CF Jose Cardona opened the game by reaching base via a fielding error by Redbirds 2B Max Schrock . After a Christian Lopes single, LF Willie Calhoun grounded out to move Cardona to third. 2B Andy Ibáñez then singled to send Cardona home.
Memphis answered in the bottom of the inning as CF Oscar Mercado worked a leadoff walk before 1B Luke Voit was hit with a pitch. C Carson Kelly later leveled the game at 1-1 with a two-out RBI single.
In the third, Calhoun manufactured a leadoff walk of his own prior to a one-out Ibanez single. Following an RBI base hit courtesy of RF Destin Hood , C Tony Sanchez doubled home Ibanez to extend the gap to 3-1.
Round Rock put the game away for good in the sixth. 1B Hanser Alberto singled then Cardona was hit with a Poncedeleon pitch. After a Lopes single loaded the bases, DH Tommy Joseph worked a walk that forced in the fourth E-Train run of the game. A two-out Ibanez double scored two more runs to seal the 6-1 victory. Ibanez finished the game a perfect 4-4 with three RBI and a run scored.
Bibens-Dirkx pitched a complete game gem in the nightcap, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out five in a tough-luck loss. Redbirds RHP Kevin Herget (1-1, 2.61) picked up the victory after holding Round Rock to a run on two hits in 4.0 innings of relief.
The E-Train took a brief 1-0 lead in the second thanks to a solo Rupp home run, his third of the year. However, Memphis reset the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning as RF Adolis Garcia led off the frame with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and ultimately scored on a Patrick Wisdom sacrifice fly.
Two innings later, 1B Luke Voit and DH Yario Munoz collected back-to-back singles that left runners on the corners. Wisdom again poked a sacrifice fly into deep center field, scoring Voit to give his team a 2-1 edge. Wisdom's pair of sacrifice flies proved to be enough as the Round Rock bats couldn't back Bibens-Dirkx' strong performance in game two.
Express LHP David Hurlbut (0-2, 6.43) is scheduled to start game three against Redbirds RHP Dakota Hudson (3-0, 4.15) on Friday night. First pitch at AutoZone Park 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!