Isotopes Rally to Stun Express 6-5

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - The Round Rock Express (70-48) dropped their third consecutive game as the Albuquerque Isotopes (51-68) rallied for a 6-5 victory on Sunday night at Isotopes Park. Albuquerque battled through seven no-hit innings to eventually score six unanswered runs and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Express RHP Rogelio Armenteros twirled 6.1 hitless innings on the hill in a dominant start, but ultimately earned the no decision. RHP Brendan McCurry (3-3, 3.86) suffered the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. On the winning side, RHP Yency Almonte (2-3, 4.20) earned the win after holding off Round Rock in the ninth.
The Express broke through an early pitcher's duel in the fifth inning as 1B Nick Tanielu and DH Garrett Stubbs teamed up for a pair of doubles, the second of which scored a run.
The squad tacked on three more in the seventh, beginning with a solo shot off the bat of C Jamie Ritchie. One out later, LF Myles Straw singled before CF Drew Ferguson stepped up to the plate and blasted a two-run homer that extended the lead to 5-0.
With rehabbing Houston Astros RHP Brad Peacock on the mound, Noel Cuevas led off the eighth with a base hit up the middle to break up Round Rock's no-hit bid. C Dom Nuñez then worked a walk prior to an RBI single off the bat of DH Peter Mooney that cut the Isotopes deficit to 5-1. The next at-bat, SS Elliot Soto drew a walk to load the bases. McCurry then took over on the hill and moments later Nunez made a mad-dash home via a passed ball. After CF Sam Hillard worked a walk, 2B Pat Valaika cleared the bases with a triple to level the score at five.
In the ninth, Nunez played hero for Albuquerque, blasting a game-winning home run to stun the Express with a 6-5 walkoff defeat.
Round Rock aims for their first win of the series in tomorrow night's game three. Express LHP Framber Valdez (3-2, 2.37) is slated to start opposite Isotopes RHP Jeff Hoffman (6-6, 7.91). First pitch at Isotopes Park is scheduled for 7:35 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.
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Round Rock Express Baseball, owned and operated by Ryan Sanders Baseball, LP, is the proud Triple-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros and a member of the Pacific Coast League