Round Rock Soars Past Omaha in 7-6 Victory

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (48-34) prevailed in a 7-6 final against the Omaha Storm Chasers (38-45) on Sunday night at Dell Diamond. LF Kyle Tucker led the team's success going 1-2 with a first-inning grand slam and two runs scored.
Express RHP Brandon Bielak (2-3, 6.16) earned his second straight win after holding the Storm Chasers to three runs on seven hits in a 6.0-inning start. On the losing side, Omaha RHP Arnaldo Hernandez (1-6, 8.22) surrendered five runs on four hits and three walks in 5.0 innings of work.
The visitors opened scoring in the first inning as 1B Ryan O'Hearn doubled home SS Erick Mejia after he singled.
However, Tucker quickly stole the show, smoking a grand slam for his 24th longball of the season. RF Derek Fisher reached base on a walk prior to a Josh Rojas base hit. CF Drew Ferguson then joined the duo with a walk to load the bases for Tucker, who's shot quickly put Round Rock ahead 4-1.
In the fourth, Omaha RF Jorge Bonifacio notched a homer of his own, scoring O'Hearn to bring the Storm Chasers within 4-3.
The E-Train dominated in the following innings, tacking on what would prove to be crucial insurance runs. Tucker worked a fourth inning walk and stole second before quickly advancing to third on a Storm Chasers balk. A single off the bat of AJ Reed then drove Tucker in for another run.
In the seventh, Reed shot a no-doubter home run into Dell Diamond's right field swimming pool to further extend the Express lead to 6-3. C Garrett Stubbs then followed with a double prior to racing home from second on an Alex De Goti single.
Omaha threatened a late comeback in the eighth as LF Elier Hernandez sent a home run into center field. The next inning, CF Brett Phillips led off with a triple that quickly turned into a run when 2B Jecksson Flores notched a two-run homer that cut Omaha's deficit to 7-6. From there, RHP Felipe Paulino retired three consecutive batters to pick up a save and solidify a victory for Round Rock.
Round Rock and Omaha battle in game three on Monday night at Dell Diamond. Storm Chasers RHP Zach Lovvorn (3-7, 8.01) is scheduled to make the start opposite Express RHP Framber Valdez (0-0, 2.25). First pitch 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.
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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