Express Claw Grizzlies 5-0 in Series Opener

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (63-44) blanked the Fresno Grizzlies (53-55) by a 5-0 count in their series opener on Tuesday night at Dell Diamond. Round Rock rode a strong start from LHP Framber Valdez (2-2, 2.22) and a pair of home runs to victory.
Valdez shut out the Grizzlies on just four hits while racking up 11 strikeouts, falling one shy of matching his career high. The southpaw issued just two walks in the strong 7.0-inning performance. On the losing side, Fresno LHP Ben Braymer (0-4, 8.53) gave up all five Round Rock runs on 10 hits and a pair of walks while striking out four in 4.2 innings.
Round Rock wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, dropping a three-spot in the first inning. LF Derek Fisher kicked off a two-out rally with a solo home run, his 14th of the season. The frame continued as 3B Taylor Jones singled prior to a booming triple off the bat of CF Drew Ferguson . RF Kyle Tucker tacked on one more run with an RBI single that plated Ferguson.
The E-Train added two more runs in the fifth for good measure. After SS Jack Mayfield blasted a tape-measure home run to center field, Fisher responded with a single. Ferguson then added Round Rock's fifth and final run of the night with an RBI double to make it 5-0.
Valdez allowed just nine Fresno hitters to reach base in his outing with only three advancing into scoring position. The E-Train relief combo of RHP Colin McKee and RHP Brendan McCurry preserved the shutout victory by combining to throw 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, striking out three in the process.
The Express and Grizzlies continue their series on Wednesday night. Round Rock LHP Kent Emanuel (5-1, 4.26) is scheduled to face Fresno RHP Wil Crowe (0-0, 2.79). First pitch at Dell Diamond is set for 7:05 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.