Round Rock Secures Series Opening Win in Salt Lake
SALT LAKE CITY – The Round Rock Express (11-8) snapped its five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Salt Lake Bees (9-10) in Thursday night’s series opener at Smith’s Ballpark. 3B Charles Leblanc drove in three of the four Express runs during the contest, leading to a season-high
SALT LAKE CITY – The Round Rock Express (11-8) snapped its five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Salt Lake Bees (9-10) in Thursday night’s series opener at Smith’s Ballpark. 3B Charles Leblanc drove in three of the four Express runs during the contest, leading to a season-high three RBI.
Round Rock starter RHP Drew Anderson (2-1, 2.20) earned his second win of the season, throwing 5.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and two walks with a season-high nine strikeouts. Bees’ starter LHP Dillon Peters (0-2, 7.88) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts during his 6.0 innings on the mound.
The Express put the first run of the night on the board in the second inning when 1B Andy Ibáñez hit a double to right field before coming home off a base hit single from Leblanc.
Round Rock increased its lead to 3-0 with two runs in the fourth inning, starting with a leadoff home run from DH Yohel Pozo. Ibáñez scored his second run of the night after hitting a single, advancing to second on a hit from RF Eli White and finishing his trip around the bases thanks to a double from Leblanc.
The Bees came within one in the fifth inning, scoring both of their runs in the frame. Consecutive doubles from CF Brandon Marsh and SS Luis Rengifo scored a run, then a Matt Thaiss single brought both Rengifo in for Salt Lake, trimming the Round Rock lead to 3-2.
After two scoreless innings, the E-Train added an insurance run in the eighth when Leblanc tallied his third hit of the night, scoring 1B Curtis Terry, who had reached on a Salt Lake error and settled at second on a White single.
The two teams meet again on Friday at Smith’s Ballpark for a 7:35 p.m. first pitch. Express RHP Sam Gaviglio (1-1, 7.04) is scheduled to start against Bees LHP Thomas Pannone (1-1, 5.06).
The Round Rock Express return home on Thursday, June 3 to open a six-game series against the El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres affiliate). Single game tickets as well as full season and mini season membership plans are on sale now. For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!