El Paso Tops Round Rock 2-1 to Open Series
EL PASO, Texas – The Round Rock Express (49-53) dropped its series opener against the El Paso Chihuahuas (42-60) by a final score of 2-1 on Thursday night at Southwestern University Park. Despite outhitting the home team 6-4, Round Rock was unable to bring runners home as they fell in
EL PASO, Texas – The Round Rock Express (49-53) dropped its series opener against the El Paso Chihuahuas (42-60) by a final score of 2-1 on Thursday night at Southwestern University Park. Despite outhitting the home team 6-4, Round Rock was unable to bring runners home as they fell in the first of six contests.
Texas Rangers RHP Spencer Howard (0-1, 4.50) was tagged with the loss after allowing one run on three hits during his 2.0 innings on the mound as he made his first rehab start with the Express. The righty recorded three punchouts during his outing. El Paso RHP Parker Markel (3-1, 4.53) earned the win with one perfect inning of relief as he struck out all three E-Train batters that he faced.
El Paso jumped ahead in the second inning as CF Jose Azocar led off with a bunt single to shallow left field. After stealing second base, the outfielder moved to third on a Round Rock wild pitch then crossed home thanks to a single from 3B Ivan Castillo to take a 1-0 lead.
The Express held the Chihuahuas to a one-run advantage through the sixth inning as Round Rock LHP Jake Latz followed Howard with 5.0 frames of relief. Latz’ outing saw just one hit and remained scoreless until the seventh.
The home team plated an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning as C Webster Rivas made it around to third base on a fielding error after working a leadoff walk. A second Express fielding error sent Rivas home, extending El Paso’s lead over Round Rock to 2-0.
Round Rock SS Ryan Dorow avoided the shutout with a one-out home run in the top of the ninth. The Express worked at a comeback as 3B Charles Leblanc doubled in the next at-bat, but Chihuahuas RHP Reiss Knehr kept the third baseman from coming home with a flyout and lineout to solidify a 2-1 victory and earn the save.
Round Rock and El Paso face off for game two at Southwest University Park on Friday night. Express RHP Collin Wiles (4-2, 4.21) is slated for the start up against Chihuahuas RHP Adrian Martinez (0-2, 9.64). First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. CT.
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!