ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (77-52) topped the New Orleans Baby Cakes (68-59) by a final score of 3-2 on a walkoff RBI single courtesy of C Lorenzo Quintana with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning. Express RHP Ralph Garza (8-1, 4.28) earned
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (77-52) topped the New Orleans Baby Cakes (68-59) by a final score of 3-2 on a walkoff RBI single courtesy of C Lorenzo Quintana with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Express RHP Ralph Garza (8-1, 4.28) earned the win in relief after tossing 2.0 perfect innings, picking up three strikeouts along the way. On the losing side, New Orleans LHP Dylan Lee (1-3, 5.87) gave up the game-winning run on two hits and two walks while striking out two in an inning of relief.
New Orleans opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. 2B Eddy Alvarez tallied a one-out double before racing to third on a wild pitch. Three batters later, Alvarez made a bold dash home that paid off as the speedy infielder successfully stole home plate to put the Baby Cakes on the board.
Round Rock rallied to take the lead in the home half of inning. 1B Taylor Jones led off the frame with a single prior to a looping home run off the bat of 3B Nick Tanielu , giving the E-Train their first lead of the night at 2-1.
However, after a trio of scoreless frames, the visitors leveled the contest at 2-2 thanks to a solo home run courtesy of DH Austin Dean .
The Express got the last laugh in the bottom of the ninth as LF Kyle Tucker kicked off the final frame with a walk. After a Jones single, Lee opted to intentionally walk Tanielu to load the bases for Quintana. Despite a defensive shift that included five infielders, the backstop lined a walkoff RBI single into shallow left field to give the E-Train a big 3-2 victory.
Round Rock and New Orleans face off in a doubleheader on Saturday at Dell Diamond. E-Train RHP Rogelio Armenteros (5-6, 5.05) is scheduled to face 'Cakes RHP Cody Poteet (2-2, 5.12) in game one. The nightcap will feature Round Rock RHP Carson LaRue (0-4, 6.57) against a New Orleans pitcher yet to be announced. First pitch in game one is set for 4:00 p.m. Game two will follow approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Both games will be seven innings in length.
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.
