MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The Round Rock Chupacabras (76-49) battled through a rally by the Memphis Música (59-67) to secure a narrow 5-4 victory on Monday night at AutoZone Park. Round Rock LHP Framber Valdez (5-2, 3.25) led the team's success with a strong 7.1-inning start. Valdez earned the win after
MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The Round Rock Chupacabras (76-49) battled through a rally by the Memphis Música (59-67) to secure a narrow 5-4 victory on Monday night at AutoZone Park. Round Rock LHP Framber Valdez (5-2, 3.25) led the team's success with a strong 7.1-inning start.
Valdez earned the win after fanning eight Música batters while holding the opponent to only four runs on four hits. Additionally, RHP Ralph Garza notched his fourth save of the season after tossing 1.2 scoreless frames. On the losing side, Memphis LHP Génesis Cabrera (4-6, 6.36) surrendered three runs, only two of which were earned, on six hits and three walks.
The Chupacabras struck early as LF Chas McCormick worked a leadoff walk in the first inning before stealing second base. Música C Andrew Knizner attempted to catch the runner stealing but committed a throwing error that allowed McCormick to advance all the way to third. Shortly thereafter, RF Kyle Tucker used an RBI single to put Round Rock ahead 1-0.
In the third, Chupacabras DH Abraham Toro smacked a double into center field before making a mad-dash home on a base hit off the bat of CF Drew Ferguson . After a scoreless frame, McCormick took Cabrera deep to extend the lead to 3-0 in the fifth.
Memphis LF Dylan Carlson broke up a streak of 16 straight batters retired by Valdez with a walk in the bottom of the sixth inning. Moments later, CF Harrison Bader spoiled a shutout with a two-run homer.
Round Rock wasted no time getting two runs back in the seventh. SS Alex De Goti led off the frame with a double and later scored when McCormick singled. The runner immediately stole his second base of the night and raced to third when RHP Seth Elledge tossed a wild pitch. With a man in scoring position, Toro knocked an RBI single to make it 5-2.
Memphis threatened a comeback in the eighth as Carlson reached base on a single before advancing to second on a Taylor Jones throwing error. Bader then worked a walk before Garza relieved Valdez and loaded the bases by hitting SS Edmundo Sosa with a pitch. Música slugger DH Rangel Ravelo then hit a timely two-run single to bring his team within 5-4.
Facing a one-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth, Memphis 2B Ramón Urías and 3B Max Schrock notched back-to-back singles, setting up Carlson for a potential game-tying or game-winning hit. Carlson then lined a shot to Tucker in right field, who quickly fielded the ball and made a pinpoint throw to C Jamie Ritchie . The backstop made an athletic play to spin around and tag Urias with what could have been the game-tying run. The Música rally came to an abrupt halt from there as the Chupacabras held on to prevail 5-4.
Round Rock faces Memphis again Tuesday for game two. Express RHP Jose Urquidy (4-2, 5.16) is scheduled to face Redbirds RHP Ponce de Leon (6-4, 2.95). First pitch at AutoZone Park scheduled for 6:35 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.
