Express Claims Victory Over Isotopes in Rain-Shortened Contest 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Round Rock Express (46-50) claimed an 9-1 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (42-54) to open the series at Isotopes Park after the contest was shortened to seven innings due to weather. DH John Hicks knocked two home runs on the night, helping plate seven of the nine Express runs.

Round Rock RHP Tyson Miller (1-2, 3.38) got the series-opening win after a 5.0-inning start that saw the lone Isotopes run score while five batters struck out. The night’s loss went to Albuquerque RHP Jose Mujica (2-8, 8.15), who allowed eight runs, five earned, in a start that lasted 2.2 frames.

The Express struck early, plating four runs in the first inning. Back-to-back singles from CF Elier Hernandez and LF Steele Walker put two on base. Hernandez crossed home on an Isotopes error while 3B Josh Jung reached on a fielder’s choice. Hicks hit his first dinger of the game to score Walker and Jung and put Round Rock ahead 4-0.

Another big inning for Round Rock came in the third when, after Jung worked a leadoff walk, Hicks’ second blast to right field made it a 6-0 contest. 1B Curtis Terry reached first base in the next at-bat on catcher interference and was sent to third as SS Charles Leblanc doubled to right-center field. Terry made it home on a passed ball before Leblanc scored on a wild pitch, giving the Express an 8-0 lead.

Albuquerque put their lone run of the night across home in the fourth frame when 3B Colton Welker reached base on a fielder’s choice. He then advanced to third as Greg Bird hit a single and scored on an Alan Trejo sacrifice fly.

Round Rock added one more run in the top of the seventh. Walker crossed home for the second time during the contest, scoring as Terry grounded into a force out after hitting a leadoff single.

Rain started to fall during the seventh inning before the game went into a weather delay after Express RHP Cole Uvila retired the Isotopes in order, closing out the bottom of the frame. After a 35-minute delay, the contest was announced as final and Round Rock claimed the 9-1 victory.

Round Rock and Albuquerque play for game two on Friday night at Isotopes Park, with first pitch slated for 7:35 p.m. CT. Both starting pitchers for the contest are to be announced.

For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!