Express Bats Explode in Doubleheader Split vs Baby Cakes

METAIRIE, Louisiana - The Round Rock Express (1-2) bats came to life in a doubleheader split against the New Orleans Baby Cakes (2-1) on Saturday night at the Shrine on Airline. Round Rock blasted five home runs in a 7-5 comeback win over New Orleans in game one, however the Baby Cakes rebounded to narrowly capture game two by a final score of 2-1.
Express LF Yordan Alvarez set a new career high with three home runs in the opening contest. The Houston Astros #3 prospect blasted solo shots in the second and fourth innings, the latest of which leveled the game at 2-2 after New Orleans DH Harold Ramirez collected a two-run shot of his own in the bottom of the third.
After New Orleans picked up a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth and another in the fifth, E-Train CF Derek Fisher launched a two-run homer in the top of the sixth before Alvarez made history with his third blast of the night, a game-tying homer to deep center field. Alvarez became just the eighth player in Express history to record a three-homer night, and the first since Joey Gallo did so on August 6, 2015.
Not to be outdone, Fisher scored the go-ahead runs for Round Rock in the top of the seventh inning with a towering two-run homer that ultimately gave the Express a 7-5 comeback win in game one. Fisher's heroics earned the first career Triple-A victory for RHP Ryan Hartman (1-0, 2.25) in what was his Triple-A debut. Hartman allowed a run on two hits while striking out three in 4.0 solid innings of relief.
On the losing side, former Round Rock and current New Orleans RHP R.J. Alvarez (0-1, 10.80) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in 1.2 innings of relief. Express starter RHP Akeem Bostick surrendered four runs, only three of which were earned, on a total of seven hits and three walks in 3.0 innings of the no-decision.
The E-Train picked up right where they left off in game two as Fisher connected for a leadoff home run to give Round Rock an immediate 1-0 advantage. However, New Orleans fought back in the second as CF Gabriel Guerrero singled prior to a home run off the bat of 1B Matt Snyder . Both teams' pitching staffs then went to work, combining to allow just nine baserunners in the final five innings to limit the final score to 2-1.
Round Rock and New Orleans meet again for game four on Sunday afternoon. Express LHP Cionel Pérez is scheduled to toe the rubber against Baby Cakes RHP Joe Gunkel . First pitch in Sunday's matinee at the Shrine on Airline is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
The Express kick off the home portion of their historic 20th anniversary season on Tuesday, April 9 for a five-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Texas Rangers affiliate) at Dell Diamond. Single game tickets, season memberships and flex plan ticket packages are on sale now.
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 anniversary season using #20STROng.