Express Rout Grizzlies 15-7 to Complete Series Sweep

ROUND ROCK, Texas - After falling behind 6-1 early, the Round Rock Express (65-44) scored 14 straight runs to rout the Fresno Grizzlies (53-57) by a final score of 15-7, completing their second straight series sweep on Thursday night at Dell Diamond. E-Train 3B Nick Tanielu recorded a three-run homer in the third inning, Round Rock's 177th of the year, a new all-time franchise record for home runs in a single season.
Express RHP Tanner Duncan (3-0, 5.89) earned the win after giving up two runs on two hits in 3.0 innings of relief. On the losing side, Fresno reliever RHP James Bourque (0-1, 6.04) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk in 2.0 innings of work.
The visitors jumped out to a 4-0 lead through their first two offensive frames. SS Matt Reynolds was hit with a pitch to begin the game before a Jake Noll single and a José Marmolejos walk that loaded the bases. E-Train starter RHP Carson LaRue then walked DH Yadiel Hernandez to force in the game's first run.
An inning later, 3B Drew Ward reached base via a fielding error by Express SS Alex De Goti . An ensuing two-run homer courtesy of Noll upped the gap to 3-0. Following a Carter Kieboom walk, Marmolejos doubled in Fresno's fourth run. Round Rock began their comeback attempt in the home half of the inning as LF Taylor Jones worked a leadoff walk prior to an RBI double off the bat of DH Jamie Ritchie .
Fresno tacked on two more runs in the top of the third. CF Alec Keller doubled, then LF Chuck Taylor walked before Ward sent both runners home with a two-run double to extend the Grizzlies lead to 6-1.
However, the E-Train responded with 14 straight runs over the next four innings to put the game away for good. The impressive rally began with a five-run bottom of the third. De Goti collected his second of four hits with a leadoff double. Back-to-back walks by 2B Jack Mayfield and CF Drew Ferguson promptly loaded the bases. A Jones sacrifice fly plated a run, then 1B Kyle Tucker walked to re-load the bases. CF Chas McCormick followed with another run-scoring sacrifice fly before Tanielu launched the record-setting, game-tying, three-run homer.
In the fourth, C Garrett Stubbs and De Goti combined for a pair of singles. Before Mayfield drove in another run with an RBI single, Stubbs sprinted home on a wild pitch. Tucker capped off the three-run inning with an RBI single that upped the gap to 8-6.
The frenetic Express scoring barrage continued in the fifth as Mayfield singled home Stubbs to make it 9-6. Round Rock recorded their second five-run inning of the game in the sixth. The big frame started with Jones being hit with a pitch and continued with singles from McCormick and Tanielu to load the bases. A walk to Ritchie forced in another run, then De Goti and Mayfield tallied a pair of doubles that plated four more runs.
Fresno's only other run of the evening came with two outs in the top of the ninth inning as Kieboom singled prior to an RBI double off the bat of Marmolejos, doing little other than trimming the final score to 15-7.
Round Rock now turns their attention to a four-game series against the Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants affiliate). E-Train LHP Ryan Hartman (5-5, 5.46) is set to start against River Cats RHP Enderson Franco (5-5, 6.29). First pitch at Dell Diamond is scheduled 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.